Propecia - Some questions

[sirigaita]

thanks a lot wuffer.

Ive seen an ad on the tube today of TRICOLOGIC tablets to strenghten the hair. Its from a well know brand I dont remember the name now.

Do you know any about it?

I got interested and would it be something to use parallel to finasteride?

 

[StoptheMadness]

How likely is it that propecia could affect hormone levels (testosterone etc) and therefore reduce my athletic ability/make it harder to stay in shape.

I was an athlete in college and still to this day have maintained good athleticsm. I've been on propecia 7 yrs and experienced zero reduction in athletic ability (however I am 3 days off propecia for 1st time ever - see my post in side effects board index).

2) Also how likely is it that I will experience changes to my sex drive? Again this is not something I want to mess around with?

up until this past saturday the only sexual side i experienced was a lower ejaculate volume. But still plenty pleasurable to me and past partners nonetheless. sex drive never had diminished one bit.

3) I've heard some stories about people getting gynocamastia (sp?) and reduced sex drive so am concerned. Is the onyl way to really reduce hair loss (apart from a transplant) to use medicaqtion which affects your sex hormones?

no gyno and had no reduced sex drive (again, until my incident this past week)

4) Then...how successful is it likely to be? I have frontal/temple balding and i know it's only going to get worse now. Minoxidil hasn't done much (that i can tell). Can it bring lost hair back? If i start taking propecia is it very likely that I will keep all the hair I now have? I am 27 now and if i gro my hair longer then i won't look to bald but soon will be reaching 'the point of no return' if not treated.

Propecia was mad successful for 7 yrs to date. your hairline will gradually recede no matter what imho. mine has receded but not to a point where i have found it socially unacceptable. you will keep most if not all of the hair. but ever so gradually it will thin (and hairline/temple will probably recede the most - which is totally livable if you are keeping the rest of the hair on your scalp). But gradual thinning will not be really noticeable to public for many years to come. it will thin at a rate that is orders of magnitude slower than not being on it.

 

[Prop]

also does anyone even know of the long term risks?

just look at fina's satire

 

[Mens Rea]

Don't confuse sexual function from sexual development and maturity. DHT may play a role, but testosterone is responsible for sexual functions including libido and erection. This is the rule...

Did you make this rule up?

You do know that DHT is short for dihydrotestosterone and its the most active form of testosterone? It's binding affinity is so strong and, unlike, testosterone itself, it cannot be converted into estrogen.

DHT isn't just cricial for "all things male" as Dr Crisler says, in itself, but it's job in balancing the T/E ratio is huge. It ensures against estrogen dominance.

It is the primary androgen in the hair but also in the prostrate. I don't even have to start explaining how important it is to "nourish" your prostrate with its natural levels of androgens. I probably do have to explain the complications possible from someone with a malnourished prostrate.

What im saying is....

It's not even up for debate how important DHT is for most males. If you really want to run with your argument. How about you try dustasteride?

Or even more simple:

TAKE PROVIRON (oral DHT derivative) and try to tell me your libido doesn't shoot up. Why would that be? It works both ways.




Here's a nice little article about DHT:

http://www.mikemahler.com/articles/Dihy ... erone.html


An interesting study about sexual function and DHT:

http://www.bmj.com/content/310/6990/1289.full

 

[Wuffer]

I was going to write up a big long reply, citing two studies that conclude DHT is not required for normal sexual function all that, but I suddenly realized: what's the point? You guys are dead set in your beliefs, and so am I.. I've come to the realization how much time i've wasted here, and I should be out enjoying the beautiful weather! My hair loss isn't an issue anymore, and finasteride works great for me.. So there isn't any point in me hanging around in these forums all day anymore!

Finfighter posted some ongoing studies for Finasteride. That's great; when they yield some results or we have some new legitimate information, i'll come back and do some more arguing.

But for now.. I'm going mountain biking!!!

 

[Mens Rea]

You guys are dead set in your beliefs, and so am I..

I was dealing in facts to be perfectly honest.

If you are so set in your belief, take dustateride and supress that extra 30% of your DHT and see if you then wish to argue.


REMEMBER THIS....finasteride will increase your testosterone. There's very few people that report increases of sex drive and function on finasteride. I wonder why?

Stop burying your head in the sand.


But yeah, it works for you - great. I wish it did for me. But don't try argue about things in blanket form because you're just pushing bad information out on these forums, quite frankly.


Enjoy the sun.