Hair loss negatively affects mental health, causing anxiety and depression. Minoxidil and finasteride are discussed as treatments, but side effects and mental health concerns remain.
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.
Hair loss affects mental health, with negative comments from others being common. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are used, and some focus on self-improvement and humor to handle societal judgments.
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 can regrow hair but may cause depression and suicidal thoughts in some users. The connection between finasteride and mental health issues is debated, with some attributing it to pre-existing conditions or stress.
The conversation discusses feelings of despair and low self-worth due to hair loss and other perceived physical shortcomings. The user expresses a lack of motivation and struggles with societal expectations, despite trying various self-improvement methods.
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.
The user experienced mental side effects from oral finasteride, such as brain fog and low mood, and switched to topical finasteride combined with minoxidil. They are monitoring mental clarity and hair progress after stopping oral finasteride.
A 33-year-old experienced significant hair loss after a depressive episode and taking paroxetine, possibly due to telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia. Suggestions included reducing alcohol, considering finasteride and minoxidil, and consulting a doctor about antidepressant side effects.
A 19-year-old is concerned about going bald and disagrees with their parents who suggest therapy, believing hair loss will negatively impact their life. Some suggest therapy can help with the emotional aspects, while others support using finasteride and focusing on what makes the individual happy.
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.
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.
A 20-year-old with anxiety and depression is considering finasteride for hair loss but is worried about potential side effects. They decide to consult a doctor and consider starting with a low dose, while also exploring topical finasteride as a potentially safer option.
The conversation discusses whether to use finasteride for hair loss, considering its role in inhibiting DHT and 5AR, which can affect brain function and mood. Some users report anxiety and depression from finasteride, while others do not experience these side effects and emphasize the importance of DHT for brain and prostate health.
A user experienced sleep paralysis after starting finasteride and is seeking others' experiences. Another user suggests finasteride might affect neurosteroids, potentially altering sleep patterns.
The conversation discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between side effects of finasteride (like brain fog and loss of libido) and depression caused by hair loss. Users share experiences of severe depression while on finasteride, leading some to stop the treatment despite anxiety over hair loss.
The side effects of taking finasteride as a treatment for hair loss, with particular focus on its sexual and psychiatric side effects; research has indicated that there are high and low outliers in terms of prevalence of sexual side effects, but it is usually between 3-5%, while evidence of lasting sexual side effects comes from lower quality sources.
Finasteride can aid hair regrowth but may cause side effects like depression and sexual dysfunction. Users discuss experiences with finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841, highlighting varied responses and the importance of informed treatment choices.
A 21-year-old experiencing hair loss and depression is planning to start finasteride treatment and is asking for others' experiences. Another user responds positively, stating that finasteride has helped alleviate their depression caused by hair loss.
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.
Post Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) may result from epigenetic changes and gut microbiota alterations. Supplementing with Allopregnanolone might protect against these adverse effects.
Finasteride and dutasteride can affect sexual function, cognition, and mood. Alternatives like minoxidil, pyrilutamide, and alfatradiol have varied effectiveness and side effects.
The user experienced side effects commonly attributed to Finasteride without ever taking the drug, suggesting these issues may stem from other life factors. They advise considering other potential causes before blaming Finasteride for such side effects.
Balding can be traumatic for many, affecting self-esteem and social interactions, while others accept it more easily. Treatments mentioned include finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841.
The user has been on Finasteride and oral Minoxidil for hair loss and experienced minimal side effects. They suggest that a healthy lifestyle, including good sleep, exercise, diet, skincare, and mental health care, may help reduce the perceived side effects of Finasteride, although another user disagrees, emphasizing that side effects can vary and may not be mitigated by lifestyle alone.
User experienced hair thickening with pyri but also side effects like reduced sex drive. Stopping pyri and returning to CB restored sex drive, suggesting pyri may go systemic or be incorrectly formulated.
The user has been using finasteride, dutasteride, and RU58841 for hair loss without success and feels extremely uncomfortable with their appearance, including being bald and short. They express deep unhappiness and social isolation. Suggestions from others include adopting stoicism, focusing on personal development, considering a hair system, improving fashion, working out, and seeking therapy for mental health.
Finasteride may have positive effects by keeping testosterone levels higher, potentially maintaining youthfulness and physical performance as one ages. It could also help with conditions related to aging like andropause and sarcopenia without increasing estradiol levels.
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 severe side effects from finasteride, including hormonal imbalances and cognitive issues, leading to a recommendation to stop its use. They plan to follow up with tests to rule out a pituitary tumor and are considering topical treatments as alternatives.