Finasteride can quickly raise estradiol levels by blocking DHT, allowing testosterone to convert to estrogen. Taking finasteride for just a few days can affect blood test results.
Finasteride is a controversial hair loss treatment, with some users experiencing positive results and others facing side effects like erectile dysfunction. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal choice and informed decision-making.
Dutasteride effectively reduces DHT levels and significantly increases testosterone levels. Users are cautious about adding oral minoxidil due to potential heart issues and are considering dosage adjustments with medical guidance.
A man stopped taking finasteride, a hair loss treatment, to improve his fertility. His sperm count and motility increased after stopping the medication, but sperm shape did not change.
The user is treating male pattern baldness with oral minoxidil, ketoconazole, derma rolling, rosemary oil, and topical minoxidil, and is considering adding finasteride. They are debating between three finasteride dosing strategies: 1mg daily, 1.25mg every other day, or 1.25mg five days a week, focusing on efficacy, safety, and cost.
The conversation discusses a five-year study on dutasteride, a medication for male hair loss. The study found that 89.9% of patients saw improvement or prevention of hair loss progression, with varying success rates based on different balding patterns. Side effects were mostly sexual and decreased over time. Dutasteride was concluded to be a long-term, safe, and effective treatment for male hair loss.
A user discusses starting finasteride for hair loss despite concerns about potential sexual side effects, emphasizing the psychological factors involved. Other users share mixed experiences, with some reporting no side effects and others experiencing issues.
The conversation discusses using topical liposomal finasteride for hair loss, with concerns about high DHT levels. The user's DHT level is above the normal range, which may affect hair health.
The conversation discusses using supplements like zinc, L-Arginine, and ginseng to counteract finasteride side effects like lower libido and lack of morning erections. Users share their experiences with finasteride, noting varied side effects and the use of additional supplements like ginkgo and fish oil.
A 23-year-old male has been using finasteride and topical minoxidil for 14 months with slight improvement, but recent shedding led him to switch to a new minoxidil formulation without success. He is considering using topical RU58841 or dutasteride to better address scalp DHT, as his bloodwork shows high total testosterone and mid-range DHT levels.
ET-02, a PAI-1 inhibitor, is not proven to be more effective than Minoxidil for hair loss. Other treatments like finasteride, dutasteride, PP405, and AMP-303 are also discussed, focusing on cellular senescence and oxidative stress.
The user is concerned about high DHT levels despite using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss, suggesting these treatments may not be effective. They plan to consult an endocrinologist and consider other antiandrogens, acknowledging potential side effects.
Finasteride improved the user's hair texture and growth, with some initial side effects like libido loss that eventually subsided. The user advises considering lifestyle factors alongside treatment and encourages others to start finasteride if hesitant.
A user experienced negative side effects, including low libido and lack of motivation, after using finasteride for hair loss and felt better after stopping it. Others shared similar experiences with finasteride and dutasteride, while some reported no side effects, showing varied individual responses.
A user asked if taking a blood test 3 days after starting finasteride would affect the results for Estradiol, FSH, SHBG, Progesterone, and DHEA-S. The conversation is about the timing of blood tests after beginning finasteride treatment.
A user experienced sexual side effects, including reduced semen production and numbness, after switching from finasteride to dutasteride for hair loss. They decided to stop dutasteride to prioritize their sexual health and may return to finasteride if issues resolve.
A user started taking 0.25mg of finasteride every other day to prevent hair loss and documented their experience. Initially, they felt anxious and had headaches, but by the second week, they felt normal with no side effects or changes in hair.
The user is experiencing severe side effects from finasteride, including sleep issues, depression, and gynecomastia, and is considering stopping the medication. They are exploring other treatments like RU58841 and dutasteride but are hesitant due to potential side effects.
A user on finasteride for 8 months shared bloodwork results showing increased testosterone and estradiol levels, with concerns about high LH. Responses advised monitoring for symptoms but noted levels are within reference ranges.
Dutasteride at 0.5mg may have fewer sexual side effects than expected, with many side effects attributed to psychological factors (nocebo effect). The placebo group experienced more side effects, suggesting fear and anxiety might contribute to perceived side effects.
A user experienced a loss of libido and anhedonia after severe dietary restriction while on Finasteride and Minoxidil for hair loss. They are considering reducing the Finasteride dose or taking a break to see if symptoms improve.
A 27-year-old male physician improved hair density using minoxidil 5% foam and finasteride 1mg every other day, with initial sexual side effects that subsided. He recommends trying finasteride for a year but warns against dutasteride due to potential liver effects.
A user experienced severe side effects, including erectile dysfunction and testicular pain, after taking finasteride for hair loss. They recommend sticking to minoxidil and biotin and avoiding finasteride due to potential risks.
A 28-year-old male noticed hair thinning and is considering treatments like minoxidil and finasteride but is concerned about finasteride's potential effects on epilepsy. He has tried microneedling, tretinoin, and minoxidil with slight improvement.
A 19-year-old male shared his negative experience with finasteride, including side effects like vision issues, genital changes, pain, swollen lymph nodes, and mood alterations, which resolved after stopping the medication. He suggests alternative hair loss treatments like exercise, diet, possibly avoiding masturbation, topical anti-androgens, and dermarolling, emphasizing mental health over aesthetics.
Finasteride's impact on fertility is discussed, with users sharing experiences of conceiving while on the medication. Concerns about long-term safety are also mentioned.
Topical dutasteride 0.05% is reported to outperform oral finasteride with minimal side effects, but concerns about study bias exist due to company funding. Some users report mixed results with topical dutasteride, noting issues with skin penetration and systemic absorption.
The conversation is about a user planning a blood test to monitor health while on hair loss treatments: Finasteride, Minoxidil, and Dutasteride. Recommendations include testing for androgens, thyroid function, micronutrients, and basic health markers, with additional suggestions for PSA, prolactin, and estradiol.
Charts show how long Finasteride and Dutasteride stay in the blood, explaining why 0.5 mg Finasteride is less effective than 1 mg. Dutasteride accumulates over time, leading to gradual results compared to the immediate effects of Finasteride.