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.
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.
The user experienced significant hair regrowth using oral finasteride (1 mg) and oral minoxidil (2.5 mg) daily, with minimal side effects. They also use testosterone to balance any libido effects from finasteride.
The user is considering stopping topical minoxidil due to lack of improvement in hair growth and is exploring alternatives like oral minoxidil, topical finasteride, and tretinoin. They are hesitant about oral finasteride and dutasteride, and are open to trying oral minoxidil if available, despite concerns about potential heart-related side effects.
A 57-year-old man uses a hair system, not a hair transplant, and likely had cosmetic procedures. Discussions include the effectiveness of hair systems and finasteride side effects.
Hair provides protection against head trauma, reduces skin cancer risk, helps remove heavy metals, and aids in wound healing. The conversation emphasizes the health benefits of maintaining head hair beyond cosmetic reasons.
A 26-year-old male is using a combination of clomiphene, minoxidil, tadalafil, bupropion, and lisdexamfetamine to address low testosterone, ED, depression, and focus issues. He seeks input on the safety and efficacy of this regimen, which also includes magnesium, zinc, and fish oil supplements.
The user is seeking advice on preserving hair follicles at Norwood stage 6 or 7 while waiting for new treatments. They are considering using treatments like Minoxidil, finasteride, or RU58841.
A 27-year-old male with ADHD is experiencing hair thinning and is starting a treatment with topical finasteride (0.025%) and minoxidil (5%). He is addressing high prolactin levels and low vitamin D, while managing side effects from ADHD medication.
A user shared their experience with finasteride for hair regrowth, which was effective but caused side effects like gynecomastia and mood swings. They now manage side effects with Arimidex and vitamins while continuing finasteride, and monitor their health with blood tests.
The user saw significant hair regrowth after using rosemary-castor oil, scalp massages, a derma roller, biotin shampoo, minoxidil-finasteride spray, and a PRP injection. They plan to continue this routine.
The user transitioned from finasteride to RU58841 and oral minoxidil to maintain hair gains while avoiding systemic DHT suppression. They have not experienced increased shedding or side effects since stopping finasteride and hope RU58841 will preserve their hair.
The conversation discusses a personal theory on the role of DHT in stress and reproduction, suggesting it converts testosterone for reproductive traits. The discussion includes skepticism and mentions individual differences in physiology and neurochemistry.
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.
User took 1mg oral finasteride daily and topical minoxidil twice a day for 6 months, showing hair growth progress. Others discussed dosage and shared positive feedback on results.
The user "NotYourMothersDildo" shared their progress pictures after using finasteride and oral minoxidil for 60 days. They noticed significant improvements in hair thickness, texture, and growth, including their mustache and beard.
A 27-year-old male started using topical finasteride (0.25%) and minoxidil (5%) once daily, along with supplements like zinc, magnesium, biotin, and vitamins C and D. After initial concerns about side effects, he experienced temporary ED and shedding but now feels better and has no regrets about starting the treatment.
The conversation discusses managing estradiol problems during finasteride treatment. Suggestions include stopping finasteride every 3 months for 2-3 weeks or reducing the dosage.
Be cautious when sourcing PP405 or its analogs from third-party suppliers due to potential safety risks and lack of regulatory approval. The conversation highlights concerns about counterfeit products and the absence of reliable testing, making it risky to use such treatments.
Finasteride and dutasteride may not significantly impact meibomian gland function since these glands do not rely on DHT. Some users report dry eyes and other side effects from finasteride, but these may be influenced by other factors or medications.
The user is considering stopping finasteride after 1.8 years due to concerns about side effects and is exploring alternatives like minoxidil and topical finasteride. They are also considering microneedling and are advised to wait for new treatments like breezula/clascoterone.
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.
The user has been taking 0.5 finasteride for 10 months and wants to repeat blood tests, including estradiol. However, their doctor is reluctant to test estradiol, arguing it's typically low in men, and the user is considering seeking a second opinion.
FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.
A 29-year-old male on 1 mg Finasteride for 3 months has experienced a significant increase in testosterone and estradiol levels, with no major side effects except slightly oilier skin and increased emotional sensitivity. The user is concerned about these hormonal changes and seeks advice, as their general practitioner is not knowledgeable about the issue.
Finasteride may cause insomnia, and ashwagandha is suggested to help with sleep issues without significantly affecting testosterone or DHT levels. Users discuss personal experiences with sleep disturbances and suggest consulting a doctor if side effects persist.
Finasteride has no effect on the user's estradiol levels, and body fat may influence aromatization. The user is on testosterone replacement therapy and uses everyday injections to manage high RBC count, with plans to measure DHT, DHEA-S, and pregnenolone levels.
A user gained 10-12 kg after starting finasteride but found their estrogen levels to be within the normal range. They are concerned about potential gynecomastia but are reassured by their lab results.
Dutasteride treatment may decrease sperm concentration, but levels remain above WHO recommendations and recover after discontinuation. The study has limitations, including small sample size and lack of pre-treatment sperm data, and does not assess other fertility factors.