A user initially had side effects from finasteride, attributed them to anxiety and the nocebo effect, and after resuming the drug, experienced positive effects and now warns against misinformation about Post Finasteride Syndrome.
Finasteride may affect male offspring's fertility and hormonal balance, with debates on whether to discontinue use before conception. Some users report no issues, while others highlight the high doses used in rat studies.
The user experienced hair shedding after using finasteride and topical minoxidil since August 2024, and briefly adding oral minoxidil in early 2025. They suspect the shedding might be due to the oral minoxidil, a bad batch of finasteride, or a normal shedding cycle, and are also experiencing an itchy scalp and acne.
The user experienced side effects from finasteride and Nutrafol, opting for non-hormonal treatments like minoxidil, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Others discussed using Dutasteride, Biotin, and minoxidil with varying success and side effects.
Finasteride and Dutasteride do not cause depression or "Post Finasteride Syndrome," with concerns often linked to the nocebo effect and preexisting mental health issues. The EU is unlikely to ban these drugs, but access may become more restricted due to ongoing debates.
The post argues that Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) is likely not real and suggests symptoms may be due to mental health issues or the nocebo effect. The conversation includes personal experiences with finasteride, highlighting both positive and negative effects, and emphasizes consulting doctors and using reliable sources for medication.
The conversation discusses the side effects of finasteride, including low libido and erectile dysfunction, and the possibility of these effects being permanent, known as post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Some users report personal experiences with PFS and debate whether the condition is real, with varying opinions on the reversibility of side effects and the role of individual biology.
Finasteride can cause sexual side effects, and reducing porn and masturbation may help improve sexual function. Some users experience persistent issues even after stopping finasteride.
A user in Turkey was advised by a dermatologist to avoid finasteride due to its hormonal effects and was prescribed minoxidil, shampoo, and vitamins instead. The user is considering seeking another doctor's opinion or buying finasteride directly from a pharmacy.
A user asks about the appropriate zinc dosage to offset side effects while taking 0.5 mg of finasteride daily. Responses suggest zinc has a minor effect on hormones compared to finasteride.
The impact of creatine on DHT levels, and whether it could cause accelerated male pattern baldness (MPB). The user taking a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor found that their DHT levels actually reduced despite taking creatine for nine weeks. Replies suggested looking into testosterone levels as well and debating the safety of creatine use in relation to MPB.
The mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia and practical applications of treatments like Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, dermarolling, scalp massages, anti-fungals, progesterone, estrogen, PPAR-γ activators, reducing oxidative stress, and scalp exercises. It explains why DHT is important in AA and how other factors might be involved such as hypoxia, increased DKK-1 expression, morphological changes to the scalp, skull growth during childhood/puberty, and blood flow.
The user has been on finasteride for 4.5 years and minoxidil for 10 years, maintaining hair but not regrowing much on the crown and temples. They are considering using a dermastamp more frequently and possibly trying RU58841, but are hesitant about dutasteride due to concerns about side effects and DHT suppression.
User experienced rapid thinning on crown, used dutasteride for 3 months with significant improvement. Microneedling and ketoconazole were also used, but no minoxidil or finasteride.
Topical finasteride results in plasma levels 100 times lower than oral finasteride, potentially reducing systemic side effects. Users report similar efficacy with fewer side effects, suggesting a preference for topical application.
Treating the itch associated with male pattern baldness, which is believed to be caused by DHT. Potential treatments discussed include salt water, finasteride, ketoconazole, and RU58841.
Finasteride significantly increased testosterone levels for the user, with no major side effects except watery semen, which was resolved with zinc supplements. The user's hairline stopped receding and slightly improved.
User tried oral finasteride, topical finasteride, topical dutasteride, and RU58841 but experienced side effects. They discuss upcoming treatments like clascoterone, pyrilutamide, gt20029, and KY19382 as potential options.
Finasteride reduces scalp DHT significantly even at low doses, with 0.2 mg reducing it by about 55%, but higher doses like 1 mg and 5 mg offer only marginally more reduction. Users discuss side effects, with some experiencing none and others reporting issues like low libido, and they also mention using other treatments like minoxidil and dutasteride.
A new study suggests microneedling alone doesn't benefit male balding, but users argue the study's methods differ from common practices, like combining microneedling with minoxidil and using more frequent treatments. Some believe the study's short duration and infrequent sessions are inadequate to assess microneedling's effectiveness.
Being overweight may increase finasteride side effects due to higher aromatase activity converting testosterone to estradiol. Maintaining a healthy weight could reduce these side effects.
Finasteride is debated for causing dry eyes, with some users experiencing relief after stopping it, while others find no connection. Topical treatments like dutasteride and minoxidil are suggested as alternatives, with advice to consult medical professionals.
Dutasteride takes 1-3 months to affect scalp DHT levels, not just a week. The prostate absorbs Dutasteride faster than the scalp due to different vascular networks and enzyme densities.
Finasteride can reduce neuroactive steroids, causing side effects like depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. Some users experience persistent symptoms after stopping finasteride, while others use alternative treatments like topical solutions.
Finasteride and dutasteride may increase estrogen levels, leading to water retention and a fuller face. Users discuss managing these effects with lifestyle changes and supplements like zinc and DIM.
Minoxidil may inhibit androgen receptors and affect hormonal pathways, potentially explaining its effectiveness in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Users discuss its varying effectiveness on scalp versus facial hair and note fewer side effects with topical use compared to oral.
A 19-year-old with diffuse hair thinning and erectile dysfunction is considering starting Propecia (finasteride) while already using a minoxidil solution with anti-androgens. Concerns are raised about the psychological nature of erectile dysfunction and the potential systemic effects of anti-androgens, with suggestions to address porn addiction and consult a doctor about hormone therapy.
He Shou Wu (Fo Ti) extract was found to prolong the hair growth phase, inhibit 5-alpha-reductase (like finasteride), reduce androgen receptors, and increase growth factors, potentially outperforming minoxidil in recovering hair follicle size after DHT exposure. Two compounds, emodin and TSG, are identified as responsible for these effects and warrant further investigation.
The user experienced significant hair regrowth using dutasteride (0.5 mg three times a week) and RU58841 (5% once a day), with no side effects reported from RU58841. They are considering increasing the RU58841 dose or adding minoxidil for further improvement.