Finasteride Newb Needs Answers from Experienced Users!

[GonnaBeatHairLoss]

Hey guys. I have never used finasteride before and I am starting to think that it would be a good idea to start using it.

I have a few concerns though, as I'm not sure if I have male pattern baldness or not. All of the 3 dermatologists I have been to before and my doctor have told me that I don't have male pattern baldness. This was about 3 years ago when I was 16 (19 now) that I went for these check ups. True, my hair was a lot thicker back then and if I could maintain what I had back then for life, I'd be more than satisfied. It's funny how what becomes acceptable changes so fast when you're losing sh*t on a steady decline. Anyway enough of my rant.

I have been noticing that my hair has been slightly getting worse and worse each year. I haven't really noticed the big impact it had on my look until this year. I mean I can still style my hair, although it's been taking longer and longer each year, to make it look somewhat decent. I'm afraid that if this problem progresses I won't be able to...

Rather than just sit around doing nothing because I don't know if I have male pattern baldness or not and watch my hair get worse and worse each year I really want to do something about it before I start the new semester. I just have a few questions and concerns regarding finasteride, I would prefer answers from people who've actually used it:

1. Does finasteride regrow and thicken hair even for non male pattern baldness users? Because let's just say I don't have male pattern baldness, as all the males in my family don't have male pattern baldness very few have minor thinning but they're 45+.

2. I've heard gyno is a common symptom of using finasteride. This is bad news for me as I am an avid lifter and love keeping in shape. How many people here have actually experienced gyno while on finasteride, and better yet how many haven't? Also does finasteride restrict natural testosterone levels? Because I'm also afraid that my gains lifting won't be as good if it restricts testosterone, thus restricting muscular growth and strength gains. Or does it not?

3. I've also heard it gives you limp dick syndrome which sucks because I'm 19... I'd still like to get around and have fun with the ladies. Is this true?

4. Are there any other (harmful) possible side effects I should be worried about when using finasteride?

Thanks for reading thus far, I know it's long but there's just a little bit more!

Some questions you may have regarding my hairloss background can be found in my posts in this previous thread of mine: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/discussions ... hp?t=39548

I've decided to try either finasteride, or minoxidil first, not both at the same time because I want to see if I respond well to each.

I'm going to have my blood test taken this Thursday. In the past all of my tests came out "normal" whatever that means. Are there any signs or comments I should look for/tell them regarding to figuring out if my hairloss is male pattern baldness or some other sort of hair loss?

Thank you for your time and help!

 

[jakeb]

1. No. male pattern baldness is Androgenic Alopecia. Finasteride is an Anti-androgen. If you don't got problems with your androgens, then what good will it do you to block them? Minoxidil has a chance of growing hair on anyone, though.

2. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the person.

3. See anwer #2

4. There's all sorts of things: brain fog, low energy, generally feeling terrible. You might not get these, but then again if you don't have male pattern baldness, why bother? You'd be messing with your hormones for no good reason.

 

[ben88]

From what I've read going on finasteride at 19 isn't the best idea in the world, so you should be sure I think that you have male pattern baldness. Maybe you can get your hair "mapped"--I've been reading baldingblog.com and that's what the doctor there always suggests to people wondering if they have male pattern baldness--not sure how legit he is but it seems like a good idea.

In the past your blood tests have been normal: what did they test?

 

[GonnaBeatHairLoss]

From what I've read going on finasteride at 19 isn't the best idea in the world, so you should be sure I think that you have male pattern baldness. Maybe you can get your hair "mapped"--I've been reading baldingblog.com and that's what the doctor there always suggests to people wondering if they have male pattern baldness--not sure how legit he is but it seems like a good idea.

In the past your blood tests have been normal: what did they test?

Ah bummer thanks for the answers!

Uh as for what they tested with the blood tests I'm not exactly sure but I know one thing that they did test was the thyroid... I'll ask specifically on Thursday.

Anyone else? Is a steady decline each year of the thickness and look of my hair a indicator of male pattern baldness?

 

[Mew]

I wouldn't risk taking a drug that interferes with your endocrine system at 19, you are still developing. MAYBE at age 23. Stick with minoxidil, nizoral, and SawPalmetto/Nettles internally for now, or go on Immortal Hair's regimen.

Gyno can occur due to finasteride's blocking of DHT (which keeps Estrogens in check) and due to the upregulation of Testosterone (because DHT is so low), the higher T aromatizes into Estradiol.

Sexual side effects are more common than 2%, despite what Merck and some naysayers might have you believe. Personally I wouldn't risk playing with your sex drive and ability to get turned on/hard...

IF you decide to take the drug -- please for God's sake get baseline bloodtests before you do, as noted here: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/discussions ... hp?t=39801