Hi all. I'm a 21 year old male, almost 22, and recently I've begun my almost bi-annual obsession with my hairline. I've been at a NW2 for about 4 years now, maybe even more. When I was 16 I went through some rough times, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and spent a month in the hospital, then got in a car wreck a couple months later that left me with only some scars on my arm but a fear to drive that I'm still trying to get over. I think this is what kicked off some temple loss in my hair, and it seems to have stabilized quite a bit but I am always afraid of it getting worse out of nowhere. I've always had thick hair, I've been told by hair stylists that my hair is thick, and I once won best hair when I was younger 
. But still, I see that recession in my hairline and it doesn't sit well with me. So, I read through forums, see the treatments available, and of course the horror stories that some experience with them. I would LIKE to start some treatment now, while my hair is still good, but I am extremely wary. For one, I have been on and off Prozac for about 6 years, and the biggest and possibly only side effect I've ever experienced with it were sexual side effects, mainly decreased libido, trouble achieving orgasm, and, once, the inability to get an erection. So, I'm afraid that my past experience with these side effects will almost guarantee that I will get them again if I start finasteride, and possibly make them permanent which is honestly the last thing I want. Furthermore, I'm wary to start finasteride and minoxidil because I've read that some people experience shedding that they never recover from, which is also scary because I'm ONLY 22 with a good head of hair. There seems to be so much conflicting information, especially regarding finasteride. There is friggin' propeciahelp which is the zenith of horror stories, I see people say that yes they get those sides but they go away, some people say that the sides are greatly over-exaggerated, some say they aren't. It's a lot to take in for someone brand new to this whole scene. So, could someone help assuage, or confirm, my fears, give me their advice, or, ideally, some peer-reviewed evidence that shows that finasteride fears are ludicrous? Thanks a bunch!
If it helps, there seems to be very little in the way of male pattern baldness in my family. Both of my grandfathers had nice hair, my uncles seem to as well, but my father is almost completely bald (though to be fair he is 61, I have old parents). I looked at pics from his wedding when he was 36 and hes got a pretty nice recession going on, probably like a NW3.5.
. But still, I see that recession in my hairline and it doesn't sit well with me. So, I read through forums, see the treatments available, and of course the horror stories that some experience with them. I would LIKE to start some treatment now, while my hair is still good, but I am extremely wary. For one, I have been on and off Prozac for about 6 years, and the biggest and possibly only side effect I've ever experienced with it were sexual side effects, mainly decreased libido, trouble achieving orgasm, and, once, the inability to get an erection. So, I'm afraid that my past experience with these side effects will almost guarantee that I will get them again if I start finasteride, and possibly make them permanent which is honestly the last thing I want. Furthermore, I'm wary to start finasteride and minoxidil because I've read that some people experience shedding that they never recover from, which is also scary because I'm ONLY 22 with a good head of hair. There seems to be so much conflicting information, especially regarding finasteride. There is friggin' propeciahelp which is the zenith of horror stories, I see people say that yes they get those sides but they go away, some people say that the sides are greatly over-exaggerated, some say they aren't. It's a lot to take in for someone brand new to this whole scene. So, could someone help assuage, or confirm, my fears, give me their advice, or, ideally, some peer-reviewed evidence that shows that finasteride fears are ludicrous? Thanks a bunch!If it helps, there seems to be very little in the way of male pattern baldness in my family. Both of my grandfathers had nice hair, my uncles seem to as well, but my father is almost completely bald (though to be fair he is 61, I have old parents). I looked at pics from his wedding when he was 36 and hes got a pretty nice recession going on, probably like a NW3.5.
