Should I start Finasteride?

[cowboyunlimited]

Hey guys, so I've had quite a bit of temple recession in the past year but oddly my crown still remains intact and quite thick but the hair on the corner of my temples seems to be continuing to get thinner and thinner and to stop it getting worse I would like to use finasteride as that seems to be the only option.

Anyhow, I'm terrified... So I have a few questions for you experienced folks.

1. What would you say the real % rate from getting sides on these drugs is? And what would be the most common side effects?

2. Is Proscar exactly the same as Propecia if cut into 5ths?, because the fact that Proscar is for your prostate, when there isn't actually anything wrong with my prostate scares me that it might cause problems.

3. This is the big question for me which is preventing me from giving it a go. What would be the chances of me KEEPING the side effects even after stopping use of finasteride? I've seen a lot of people on forums say they have lost their libido or ability to get a hard on for YEARS after stopping usage of finasteride, and this is my true fear of giving it a try.

To me, if I had a slight decrease in libido it wouldn't bother me as I value my hair over that, but if I had these major sides for years and possibly life after using the drug, I'd rather kill myself rofl.

Another question, basically, my hairline has always been an M shape even since birth, I'm 22 now and the M shape has gotten more distinct but the corners are starting to thin and are much less dense, the odd thing is that baldness isn't in my family at all, so there is a chance I could maintain what I've got now for many many years as a lot of people have told me, however I'd like to take finasteride to prevent it just in case it is male pattern baldness. My worry is that, if I get to the age of 30, and decide to stop using finasteride, will my body go into hyper DHT mode and CAUSE me to have male pattern baldness even if I didn't in the first place? Is there any truth to your body producing excess amounts of DHT after coming off the drug years after use? Pictures for you guys to see,

http://gyazo.com/7022735961056c12a93b7791295032b7 - http://gyazo.com/9543e6b207389549737c566b7e6b0fc7 - My hairline 1 year ago when I started monitoring it.


http://gyazo.com/4126ecd3ffd514603cdcfdc463b7f5f5 - http://gyazo.com/c4034605ee204213a8b756c76fac9c5e - My hairline about 2 months ago (shorter hair), my hairline doesn't seem to have shifted back much at all, I've been using Nizoral once a week. But what scares me, is that in the past couple of months the hair has started to go THINNER and lose density by probably 30% or so.

http://gyazo.com/b9bbfeb9be835ca5ae8c22d47a58ef14 My hair about, 5 years ago when I was around 17 (never grow my hair that long anymore)

http://gyazo.com/bb2f54be102003f8c9fce9e2a6d37adb - http://gyazo.com/d258c87d5ba497931ccbf0dc6ee3ed9e -My left side hair when I was about 14, 8 years ago?
And right side (was always lower than rightside) http://gyazo.com/dd0f78485208dd0ce2f33c6bfa1d0a07

Would appreciate helpful responses and opinions, thanks.

 

[benjt]

1. What would you say the real % rate from getting sides on these drugs is? And what would be the most common side effects?

There was one study which reported 18% of patients getting erectile dysfunction. Given that a statistical meta-analysis of other studies, including those reporting only 5% of patients being affected suffering from erectile problems, found a bias indicating underreporting, the truth is probably closer to 18% than to 5%.

 

[cowboyunlimited]

There was one study which reported 18% of patients getting erectile dysfunction. Given that a statistical meta-analysis of other studies, including those reporting only 5% of patients being affected suffering from erectile problems, found a bias indicating underreporting, the truth is probably closer to 18% than to 5%.

Scary....

 

[MI92]

Just received my Proscar. And yes it's the same drug, just a different brand name. 1/5th of 1 Proscar tab will be equivalent to 1 Propecia tab.

Only real way you'll know is trying it. Sides usually subside in trial studies but there have been (anecdotal) reports that suggests users do experience sides long after the cessation of finasteride. But they seem to be a vocal minority. Chances are you won't.

 

[sjbuk]

22 is young to start finasteride as I really wouldn't count on taking it for more than 10 years not a lifetime. I've taken for a while and got a stack of sides. When I started I hadn't heard about permanent sides and had I done this would have been a BIG consideration.

If you can get things done you would like to with hair for a while then maybe go for it. Consider it as a way to get a few more years but not a lifetime.

 

[1knox1]

Like anything in life - you will hear the pros and cons, ultimately its up to you and how much your hair is worth to you. As the previous poster said, there does seem to be a vocal minority and naturally you will be concerned about the sides. If you do choose to take it, you've done the best thing you can to save your hair. But at the same time, I can only advise you what I'd do in your shoes. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[abcdefg]

What study was this?

There was one study which reported 18% of patients getting erectile dysfunction. Given that a statistical meta-analysis of other studies, including those reporting only 5% of patients being affected suffering from erectile problems, found a bias indicating underreporting, the truth is probably closer to 18% than to 5%.

 

[cowboyunlimited]

Does anyone notice any difference in the pictures in 1 year? Is there much of a change to prove that I need to start taking finasteride?