Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar, etc) for hair loss

[Canofbier]

I'm in my mid-twenties and my male-pattern baldness is starting to become pretty noticeable. Because I think that song is about me, I'm looking into some treatments for regaining my tasty locks and the easiest, most effective treatment also seems to be the one that draws the most controversy: finasteride, aka Propecia.

The before/after pictures for this stuff are pretty amazing for just taking a single pill per day, but some former users complain of permanent damage to their sex drives to the point that it ruined their lives. Conversely, studies show that only a small fraction of users experience any side effects at all, and there is no proof of long-term damage.

I tend to believe the side with a scientific basis more often than not, but this would be a hell of a thing to be wrong about.

Do you or anybody you know have experience with these drugs, and what side effects did they notice? If you've chemically castrated yourself, did you at least get the beautiful princess hair to match?

Disclaimer: being bald and growing a goatee is a perfectly reasonable alternative to drugging yourself into sterility; if it weren't for such people, this website would be a lot quieter and less interesting.

[KC native]

This thread needs xyztop's input.

[Brock]

It ****s up your testosterone. What do you need hair for?

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by KC native

This thread needs xyztop's input.

Fortunately, the same thing that is causing my hair to fall out has also given me a nice jawline and good skeletal structure.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by Brock

It ****s up your testosterone. What do you need hair for?

I dunno. Maybe I'll want to make a creepy shrine to myself someday?

[KC native]

Originally Posted by Canofbier

Fortunately, the same thing that is causing my hair to fall out has also given me a nice jawline and good skeletal structure.

[RealSNR]

Get better genes like I did. If I live to be 100, I'll still have a full head of hair.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by SNR

Get better genes like I did. If I live to be 100, I'll still have a full head of hair.

Also this.

My hair is going no where.

I'm 34 and only have a couple of grays as well.

Shit is sweet.

[Prison Bitch]

Go get generic Proscar and cut into 4ths. I did it 10 years ago and my hair is completely full. There are no sex side affects.

[Mr. Laz]

it changes shit, just don't

most of them don't work worth a dam


just live with less hair

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Go get generic Proscar and cut into 4ths. I did it 10 years ago and my hair is completely full. There are no sex side affects.

i think you're lying


Proscar Side Effects
Generic Name: finasteride


OverviewSide EffectsDosageInteractionsFor ProfessionalsMore

Note: This page contains side effects data for the generic drug finasteride. It is possible that some of the dosage forms included below may not apply to the brand name Proscar.

It is possible that some side effects of Proscar may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

For the Consumer

Applies to finasteride: oral tablet

As well as its needed effects, finasteride (the active ingredient contained in Proscar) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

If any of the following side effects occur while taking finasteride, check with your doctor immediately:

More common
Chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
Less common
Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
breast enlargement and tenderness
hives or welts
itchy skin
rapid weight gain
redness of the skin
skin rash
swelling of the lips and face
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
dimpling of the breast skin
inverted nipple
lump in the breast or under the arm
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
redness or swelling of the breast
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
Some finasteride side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

More common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
Less common
Runny nose
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sneezing
stuffy nose
Less common or rare
Abdominal or stomach pain
back pain
decreased amount of semen
diarrhea
dizziness
headache
Incidence not known
Testicular pain

[NewChief]

I used to have sweet long hair, and I'd have it now as well if I could. Too thin up top, though, so I've resigned myself to keeping it shaved. Wife likes it, though, and I have a pretty awesomely shaped head and jawline. Basically, I look like a badass with my head shaved.

That being said, I miss having hair at times. I've started living vicariously through the hairstyles of my sons, hah.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by KC native

Also this.

My hair is going no where.

I'm 34 and only have a couple of grays as well.

Shit is sweet.

Now that I think about it I dont think Ive ever seen a bald Mexican...

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

i think you're lying

They put warnings on everything doofus.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by SNR

Get better genes like I did. If I live to be 100, I'll still have a full head of hair.

Solid advice, will do my best to put your words into action.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Go get generic Proscar and cut into 4ths. I did it 10 years ago and my hair is completely full. There are no sex side affects.

That falls into line with what the studies tend to suggest happens. I figure that most people who it works well for have no reason to "speak out".

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

i think you're lying

Check out the link in the OP: the NIH basically says that there's no scientific evidence (yet) of the long-term damage that some people suggest happens. Still, it would be nice to know why there seem to be so many people who claim to have life-long damage.

Is it the hive mind speaking for men with other health problems, or is there a still-unproven effect that the drug has on some people?

Originally Posted by NewChief

I used to have sweet long hair, and I'd have it now as well if I could. Too thin up top, though, so I've resigned myself to keeping it shaved. Wife likes it, though, and I have a pretty awesomely shaped head and jawline. Basically, I look like a badass with my head shaved.

That being said, I miss having hair at times. I've started living vicariously through the hairstyles of my sons, hah.

That's where I'll be in another few years if I stand pat. Not the worst place to be, but it would be nice to preserve the option of having longer hair from time to time.