Calling All Users of Finasteride (Propecia)! Your Attention/Participation is Needed!

[jamesst11]

You probably already know my story from my venting, but here goes anyhow:

- fin since last march (10 months)
- first three months I could become aroused and climax, however with much softer, smaller erections
- watery semen, rapidly fluctuating libido ( some weeks masterbation / sex 2 times a day, some weeks not at ALL)
- Rapid hair loss since starting associated with
- MPB itch, the feeling of ants crawling under my scalp (which is literally the feeling of blood moving very slowly through vessels) and oily hair line
- scalp scabs associated with MPB itch
- bouts of HORRIBLE insomnia (NO, not from anxiety, from finasteride)
- then, bouts of over sleeping

So, in my personal experience, finasteride is the f*cking devil... haha.. BUT, it has done remarkable things for other people, so in trying to be more selfless, I would say it's worth a shot.

[topt]

The drug has been around since 1997 and it has 421 reports all the way up to 2012, going by that trend what is it now? 425?

Here's your link mister paranoid.

http://www.holdthehairline.com/does-propecia-work/

Look at actual research instead of being paranoid about everything you hear and decide for yourself.

That or be bald and only be able to pull fat chicks. Ain't nobody here Vin Diesel.

Did you know people die every year from Tylenol and aspirin? Guess I'll have to suffer headaches in case I'm the 0.1%

No, it had 421 reports of sexual dysfunction until 2012 in the USA.Sexual dysfunction would not be on the top of my list of potential problems with this drug.

[topt]

you want some real data ?
Lets start here
Available toxicity information from clinical trials of finasteride in men with AGA is very limited, is of poor quality, and seems to be systematically biased

http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2212246

Finasteride is a drug for hypersexuality

http://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(08)02554-5/abstract

Those 2 informations alone are enough for me to look the other way and run.

[BaldingEagle]

Real data would be clinical trials lasting years, not a stupid analysis lol. You're probably not in the medical field so you don't really understand how information is valued and categorized.

Read the last sentence In your hyper sexuality link lol... You really have no clue man.

Neither of those are considered reputable in the medical field. It's a meta analysis sponsored by who? The PFS foundation. That's known as a conflict of interest in medicine. I'm a biologist and my older brother has a PhD, we've both looked over all credible data. The drug is generally safe with possible risks, like any other serious medication. Propecia isn't special. If you want to avoid it for your health that is entirely your right, but don't exaggerate nonsense when other people here may want to at least try to stop their hair loss.

Personally for me, I'd rather live my young years happy then live to be 80 anyway. I'm willing to take the slight risk for that, as are many others.

Hell it doesn't even work for everyone, look at James. That can happen, I'm not denying possible sides. I'm just looking at known respected data and giving my personal experience. But you apparently want to derail the thread with your nonsense.

[BaldingEagle]

I even stated I have mild side effects. To me those aren't nearly as bad as my psychological side effects of losing hair.

That's what medicine is, a risk vs benefit assessment.

[topt]

Real data would be clinical trials lasting years, not a stupid analysis lol. You're probably not in the medical field so you don't really understand how information is valued and categorized.

Read the last sentence In your hyper sexuality link lol... You really have no clue man.

Neither of those are considered reputable in the medical field. It's a meta analysis sponsored by who? The PFS foundation. That's known as a conflict of interest in medicine. I'm a biologist and my older brother has a PhD, we've both looked over all credible data. The drug is generally safe with possible risks, like any other serious medication. Propecia isn't special. If you want to avoid it for your health that is entirely your right, but don't exaggerate nonsense when other people here may want to at least try to stop their hair loss.

Personally for me, I'd rather live my young years happy then live to be 80 anyway. I'm willing to take the slight risk for that, as are many others.

Hell it doesn't even work for everyone, look at James. That can happen, I'm not denying possible sides. I'm just looking at known respected data and giving my personal experience. But you apparently want to derail the thread with your nonsense.

I am sure you would see no conflict of interest when Merck sponsors most of the clinical trials.
I am sure you were also a big beliver in the "real data" of another Merck drug called Vioxx.

What is wrong with the last sentence ?"This study demonstrates that finasteride as an anti-androgenic effect decreased libido and hypersexual behavior without serious side effects in patients with vascular dementia and underlying BPH. Further studies that obviously define the response and long-term side effects of finasteride are needed to confirm our observations."

[BaldingEagle]

I am sure you would see no conflict of interest when Merck sponsors most of the clinical trials.
I am sure you were also a big beliver in the "real data" of another Merck drug called Vioxx.

What is wrong with the last sentence ?"This study demonstrates that finasteride as an anti-androgenic effect decreased libido and hypersexual behavior without serious side effects in patients with vascular dementia and underlying BPH. Further studies that obviously define the response and long-term side effects of finasteride are needed to confirm our observations."

Well for one there are two huge study's not from merck, a five and a ten year.

Secondly merck didn't even debate voixx causing harm and discontinued it. Propecia has no proof of permanent harm.

Lastly the study you linked openly admits its limitations citing further research is need in obvious conditions.

In case you have me wrong by the way, I completely believe fin causes sexual sides in more men than reported in trials. But I believe the vast majority are mild, and almost none are permanent. Even lots of people on propeciahelp have recovered. And they have like what? 200 members total?

For me?

Watery semen and 20% lower libido vs anxiety, depression, becoming unattractive.

Seems like both hairloss and Propecia cause sides, decide which are worse for you and move on.

[topt]

So, will you change your opinion if there would (will) be proof that it causes permanent harm ?

But why didnt harm for Vioxx show in "the real data " ? Do you want to tell me they are not reliable ? They discontinued the drug cause of lawsuits, they dont care about the health of people.

Depression and anxiety are propecia side effects.
Also you never know if or when the sides can really hit you. A week, a year, 10 years; half a year after you stop taking this poison.
Hair is important for me also but this shit is just to much.

Well, its quite obvious you are avoiding propeciahelp. Good for you. If I dont know it didnt happen.

http://www.zeemaps.com/view?group=976852&x=-126.660963&y=59.025301&z=14

[allTheGoodNamesAreTaken]

I'm almost 28, first noticed a little bit of recession at 21, took finasteride (actual propecia) starting at 22, by which time there was a little bit of thinning but nothing bad. Continued to get worse on that, took it for 2.5 years, then switched to avodart, which I've taken since. I have continued to slowly lose hair still, although my dad was fully NW6 before my current age and I'm a thinnish NW2 bordering on 3 at this point (thank **** for dermmatch) so I think it's been worth it in my initial aim of hitting 30 before it's bad enough to shave. Only thing I've ever really used, no minoxidil (can't be bothered with that), nizoral and then regenepure seemed to achieve nothing either after more than a year of use, so dropped them too.

In terms of side effects, they've come and gone over the years, never anything bad but sometimes low(er) libido, sometimes erections being 8-10% less hard (especially when I was worrying about getting them, tellingly). I remember when I came off finasteride and went to dutasteride I had 3 weeks off and by the end of that period erections became maxed out, abnormally hard. At this moment I wouldn't say I'm getting any noticeable sides. I'd say these pills have been worth it, if not magical. Never noticed anything severe or anything at all relating to brain function. Oh, also had watery semen, especially so since using dutasteride. That has been a constant thing, couldn't give a damn about that one, and actually has been useful to have some objective physical evidence that the pills aren't fakes, seeing as I've had zero regrowth.

[Balding Bad]

You probably already know my story from my venting, but here goes anyhow:

- fin since last march (10 months)
- first three months I could become aroused and climax, however with much softer, smaller erections
- watery semen, rapidly fluctuating libido ( some weeks masterbation / sex 2 times a day, some weeks not at ALL)
- Rapid hair loss since starting associated with
- MPB itch, the feeling of ants crawling under my scalp (which is literally the feeling of blood moving very slowly through vessels) and oily hair line
- scalp scabs associated with MPB itch
- bouts of HORRIBLE insomnia (NO, not from anxiety, from finasteride)
- then, bouts of over sleeping

So, in my personal experience, finasteride is the f*cking devil... haha.. BUT, it has done remarkable things for other people, so in trying to be more selfless, I would say it's worth a shot.

Hi jamesst11 -- I'm relatively new to this board so I am not aware of your story, but thanks for sharing. I'm sorry to hear that your experience with Finasteride hasn't been as positive.

I've never heard of the MPB itch before, is that a legitimate thing? Like do most people who are balding get an itchy scalp or was this happening to you because you were on Fin?

I also haven't heard of insomnia being a side effect from Fin, I'll need to look into this.

So I'm assuming you're no longer on Fin anymore? What treatments are you currently using?

Anyways, thanks for sharing!

BB

[Balding Bad]

I'm almost 28, first noticed a little bit of recession at 21, took finasteride (actual propecia) starting at 22, by which time there was a little bit of thinning but nothing bad. Continued to get worse on that, took it for 2.5 years, then switched to avodart, which I've taken since. I have continued to slowly lose hair still, although my dad was fully NW6 before my current age and I'm a thinnish NW2 bordering on 3 at this point (thank **** for dermmatch) so I think it's been worth it in my initial aim of hitting 30 before it's bad enough to shave. Only thing I've ever really used, no minoxidil (can't be bothered with that), nizoral and then regenepure seemed to achieve nothing either after more than a year of use, so dropped them too.

In terms of side effects, they've come and gone over the years, never anything bad but sometimes low(er) libido, sometimes erections being 8-10% less hard (especially when I was worrying about getting them, tellingly). I remember when I came off finasteride and went to dutasteride I had 3 weeks off and by the end of that period erections became maxed out, abnormally hard. At this moment I wouldn't say I'm getting any noticeable sides. I'd say these pills have been worth it, if not magical. Never noticed anything severe or anything at all relating to brain function. Oh, also had watery semen, especially so since using dutasteride. That has been a constant thing, couldn't give a damn about that one, and actually has been useful to have some objective physical evidence that the pills aren't fakes, seeing as I've had zero regrowth.

Hi allTheGoodNamesAreTaken -- thanks for taking the time to reply to my thread. It would appear that we have a very similar story as I am currently 28 and first began to notice my hair loss around 21 as well, although the only difference was that I failed to act for all those years and I am only beginning to do something about it now.

Is there a particular reason you decided to switch from Finasteride to Dutasteride?

In terms of the watery semen, how watery would you say the consistency is? Like a 50/50 split or just a little watery, but definitely noticeable? Also, how does this particular side not bother you? I'd imagine girls would find this one weird, am I wrong?

Thanks again for taking the time to share you experience.

BB

[BaldingEagle]

Hi allTheGoodNamesAreTaken -- thanks for taking the time to reply to my thread. It would appear that we have a very similar story as I am currently 28 and first began to notice my hair loss around 21 as well, although the only difference was that I failed to act for all those years and I am only beginning to do something about it now.

Is there a particular reason you decided to switch from Finasteride to Dutasteride?

In terms of the watery semen, how watery would you say the consistency is? Like a 50/50 split or just a little watery, but definitely noticeable? Also, how does this particular side not bother you? I'd imagine girls would find this one weird, am I wrong?

Thanks again for taking the time to share you experience.

BB

For me watery semen varies, if I sleep with my wife a few times a day it gets like 70% water. If once a day or every other day it's like 60/40.

I talk about all my sides with my wife and she is very supportive and just want what makes me happy. I'm very lucky in that regard.

[HaydenPayne]

I have been taking propecia since early September and this is my summary off it

Tiny bit lower libido
Fewer less morning erections but not gone completely
Slightly watery semen
Ball ache for the first week

Slowed hairline recession and seems to have made my hair look thicker in other places.

My rating is 7.5/10

[Miser]

It will be a year for me in April. Basically what I've noticed is the first few months were a massive amount of shedding (about on par with pre-medication). Now, there is little to no shedding (basically, your average shedding that an average person has), and also, I had quite a hairy body - moreso than normal - my body hair has thinned incredibly, to the point that it looks as if I trimmed my body hair when I haven't at all. Hairline appears stable, though no regrowth I've noticed, hair a bit thicker overall. No side effects, and especially no sexual side effects; no erectile issues. A very, very slightly decreased libidio, but that's okay because I had a much higher than average libido before starting it. I'm on Fin 1mg daily.

[Balding Bad]

For me watery semen varies, if I sleep with my wife a few times a day it gets like 70% water. If once a day or every other day it's like 60/40.

I talk about all my sides with my wife and she is very supportive and just want what makes me happy. I'm very lucky in that regard.

So based on your description, it appears that the more times you ejaculate the more watery your semen becomes? Are there times when you'll notice that your semen appears to be completely normal consistency?

Or better yet, is there any way to return to normal consistency once on Fin?