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.
Androgenic alopecia (AGA) might have evolved to reduce prostate cancer risk by increasing UV exposure to the scalp, but this theory is debated. Treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are used for AGA, though the exact causes and evolutionary reasons for hair loss are unclear.
Beta-sitosterol may inhibit 5-alpha reductase type 2 enzyme, potentially reducing DHT levels and promoting hair growth, similar to finasteride but possibly with fewer side effects. Its effectiveness and side effects compared to other treatments like saw palmetto and finasteride remain uncertain due to limited research.
The conversation discusses the potential benefits of finasteride (Fin) for lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular disease risk, with users sharing personal experiences and opinions on the medication's effects on health and hair loss. Some users report positive changes in cholesterol levels after taking finasteride, while others are skeptical or joke about its effects.
Dutasteride may cause chronic infertility by reducing semen volume and motility, with concerns about irreversible prostate fibrosis. Users consider switching to finasteride or using treatments like minoxidil and microneedling, weighing hair preservation against fertility.