Finasteride may affect prostate sensation and size, with some users reporting easier urination. Concerns exist about prostate shrinkage even at lower doses.
Finasteride is seen as risky for men due to side effects like erectile dysfunction, while hormonal birth control for women is normalized despite its side effects. The discussion points out a double standard influenced by societal and gender norms.
A 17-year-old is concerned that taking finasteride might affect facial bone growth and is considering switching to topical finasteride due to its reduced systemic effects. They are also using oral minoxidil and exploring other hair loss treatments like microneedling and ketoconazole shampoo.
Dutasteride effectively stops hair loss but can cause side effects like sexual dysfunction, muscle mass changes, and testicle shrinkage. Adjusting the dosage may help manage these side effects, but long-term health effects remain a concern.
Balancing hormones, particularly testosterone and DHT, may prevent hair loss and slow aging. Treatments include finasteride, dutasteride, zinc, magnesium, collagen, and natural DHT-blocking shampoos.
Finasteride and dutasteride are not considered safe during pregnancy, with some users suggesting caution and others sharing personal experiences of no issues. The general consensus is to avoid these medications during pregnancy to prevent any potential risks.
A user is considering Spironolactone for hair loss but is advised against it due to its effects on testosterone. Instead, they are recommended to try finasteride at 18 and consider dutasteride if needed.
Finasteride may lower allopregnanolone levels, potentially affecting mood, but many users report improved mental health due to reduced hair loss. Experiences with finasteride and dutasteride vary, with some experiencing side effects and others finding them beneficial for hair retention and overall happiness.
Combining dutasteride and an aromatase inhibitor may increase testosterone levels significantly, potentially enhancing athletic performance but also posing health risks like elevated blood pressure and worsened cholesterol. The user is experimenting with dutasteride, anastrozole, minoxidil, and ketoconazole shampoo to manage hair loss and estradiol levels, while monitoring side effects and hormone levels.
Finasteride users cannot donate blood due to potential risks to pregnant women, requiring a one-month cessation before donating. Dutasteride requires a six-month deferral, and topical applications are not restricted.
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.
A 32-year-old male started taking 0.5mg of finasteride daily for hair thinning and, after 8 weeks, experienced a 70% reduction in DHT and an increase in estradiol; he is currently in the shedding phase of treatment and questioning if the dosage is correct based on his DHT levels. He began with a lower dose due to already low normal testosterone and DHT levels.
An 18-year-old using topical finasteride for hair loss is experiencing side effects like delayed ejaculation and lower sex drive after three months. They are considering whether to continue with the treatment or adjust it, possibly switching back to minoxidil.
The conversation discusses whether 2.5mg of dutasteride or 200mg of testosterone weekly is more influential in preventing hair loss, with various personal experiences indicating that the effectiveness is dependent on the individual's genetic profile. Some users report that dutasteride is likely to be more effective at the given doses.
A doctor advised against using finasteride or dutasteride during pregnancy. The user continues with oral and topical minoxidil, microneedling, tretinoin, Nizoral, and pyrilutamide.
Dutasteride at 0.5 mg/day does not significantly alter allopregnanolone levels, but higher doses (2.5 mg/day) do. Dutasteride may also have anti-neuroinflammatory effects, but the impact on neurosteroids is still debated.
The user shared their experience with dutasteride for hair loss prevention, noting side effects like muscle weakness and brain fog, and observed increased testosterone levels. They recommend starting with a low dose and adjusting based on individual needs and blood work results.
Finasteride can reduce DHT in the genitalia, potentially causing side effects like reduced erections and penile fibrosis. Using PDE5 inhibitors like Tadalafil or Sildenafil may help maintain penile health and prevent fibrosis.
A user reported a significant reduction in DHT levels after 3 months of taking 1mg/day oral finasteride, along with using minoxidil foam, microneedling, and Nutrafol vitamins. They hope this will lead to hair growth and less shedding.
A user experienced decreased free testosterone levels after three months of using finasteride, despite positive results in hair shedding reduction. They are considering switching to topical finasteride and plan to conduct further blood tests, including checking SHBG levels, to understand the hormonal changes.
A 23-year-old male is considering starting Finasteride for hair loss after experiencing persistent shedding and hairline recession, with bloodwork showing normal testosterone levels but low DHEA-S and Vitamin D. He plans to discuss DHEA supplementation with his doctor and has already started Vitamin D supplementation.
The user has been taking 1mg finasteride daily for a year with no improvement in hair loss and reports low cortisol levels, sleep issues, and anxiety changes. The conversation includes discussions on the potential effects of finasteride on cortisol and neurosteroids, with suggestions to consult a doctor and consider other factors.
Dutasteride raises scalp testosterone by 99%, which may not be ideal for those sensitive to all androgens. Some argue finasteride's balancing act might be better, while others believe dutasteride is superior for hair regrowth.
Finasteride can affect sperm quality, but fertility usually returns after stopping it, as shown by a user who conceived four months after discontinuation. Some users successfully conceive while on finasteride, though some prefer to pause its use to minimize risks.
Finasteride can cause sexual side effects in less than 2% of men, but these often disappear over time, even if the treatment continues. Some users report persistent side effects, while others experience no issues or only temporary ones.
A 22-year-old male with high estrogen levels is considering finasteride for hair loss but is concerned about potential side effects due to his hormone levels and family history of diabetes. Users suggest consulting a doctor, possibly an endocrinologist, and considering lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to address visceral fat and insulin resistance before starting treatment.
A user applies topical finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss and is concerned about the risk to his pregnant wife. It's suggested that topical treatments could be hazardous to a male fetus, and switching to oral finasteride might be safer.
Concerns about the long-term effects of dutasteride and finasteride on fertility, with discussions on cycling these medications to mitigate risks. The conversation highlights skepticism about study methodologies and the importance of weighing treatment risks against potential fertility issues.
The user is experiencing diffuse hair loss due to high testosterone levels and has tried various treatments including finasteride, minoxidil, nanoxidil, keto/caffeine shampoo, dermarolling, and RU-58841 with limited success. They are seeking advice on safely lowering testosterone levels to manage hair loss.
The user added 0.5mg dutasteride to their regimen of topical finasteride and minoxidil but experienced rapid hairline recession despite reduced hair fall. Suggestions included increasing the dutasteride dosage to 1mg daily to better suppress DHT and potentially adding oral minoxidil.