Hello, starting fin

[jerome]

Hi! These forums have been very useful.

48 year old guy here. Hair thinning for many years but definitely accelerated over the past couple of years. I've been on 5% minoxidil for about a year and a half without much change. I only used it at the back of my head but for the past week I've been using it at the temples and top of head as well.

Also, just started Finasteride 1 mg daily and 2% Nizoral twice a week. So far, libido is a bit down but no other side effects. Starting to shed a bit more I think.

Any other suggestions? I guess I'm Norwood 4 or 5? (How would you grade it?)

Pics attached.

Thanks!

[BigThinker]

I think you're making the right move. Nothing to lose (except more hair), right?

Anyways, just be ready to be committed, and likely see your hair get a worse before better.

Your norwood is hard to grade because it looks like you're a diffuse thinner. You're hairline is better than mine and I'm NW2.5.

Good luck, man.

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

Keep us updated and try hard not to think to much about the potential side effect for that in itself can create or contribute to the problem.

[jerome]

Thanks for the advice. So far so good after two weeks. Some increased shedding but no significant side effects from the fin. I'll post updates from time to time.

[deuce]

Jerome I hope it all works out man. I just started as well. No real problems, but a slight drop in my libido, and a little harder to orgasm. But I went like 3 times yesterday so I am sure it is all in my head. The thing I worry about is I kind of get a little OCD about things. I do not want to get OCD about these sides and start psychological sides. Anybody got any advice on this?

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

Convince yourself they are just vitamins.

[chrisis]

I think if you're older and have more advanced balding, then you may be less likely to suffer sides. That's my theory based on anecdotal evidence of those posting in forums, as well as the fact that the studies to test safety were mostly done on older guys with advanced balding.

We really don't know how safe it is for younger guys with slight balding though, no matter what anyone says.

Have you taken any blood tests to check your hormone levels? Shocking that this still isn't standard advice.

[KO1]

Congratulations on taking the first step to addressing your hair loss! If you had a lowered libido you would know, saying that you had a "slight" drop in libido indicates that you're not experiencing any adverse effects.

You could also throw in Minoxidil, may as well right?

As for the above post.

Older men with less hair have more sides...based on what? Nor is there any reason to make hormone tests standard.

[Parker]

Have you taken any blood tests to check your hormone levels? Shocking that this still isn't standard advice.

Just curious but, what would the hormone levels be able to tell us? and how would it help in avoiding PFS?

[chrisis]

Older men with less hair have more sides...based on what? Nor is there any reason to make hormone tests standard.

Based on the fact their hormone levels are not the same.

The hormone "profile" of a 20 year old will be vastly different to a man of 60. And yet we treat them all exactly the same!

There's such lack of knowledge and concern about all of this and I suspect one day we'll look back and wonder how this wasn't taken more seriously. All we hear on these forums is "pop this pill and you'll be fine!".

No need for standard tests? Guess you're not the one receiving emails from anxious men worried they have totally screwed up their sexual health for life.

Safety first.

[KO1]

So tell me, why would a 20 yr old be more susceptible to sides? "different hormone levels" is not an answer. You're quick to criticize our "lack of knowledge", but once you start getting questioned you're going to go silent.

Yes, I state it very clearly, there is no need for hormonal testing prior to fin. UNLESS you're trying to uncover an extant problem that you already had. But that has nothing to do with fin.

[KO1]

Just curious but, what would the hormone levels be able to tell us? and how would it help in avoiding PFS?

My question as well!

[NotBelievingIt]

There is likely an extremely specific reason for side effects that if they were to actually attempt figure it out, it'd become obvious.

Something like improper androgen conversion by 5AR in the first place so when you take away some of what it produces that IS good, it hinders the bodies hormonal responses in general.

[chrisis]

So tell me, why would a 20 yr old be more susceptible to sides? "different hormone levels" is not an answer. You're quick to criticize our "lack of knowledge", but once you start getting questioned you're going to go silent.

Yes, I state it very clearly, there is no need for hormonal testing prior to fin. UNLESS you're trying to uncover an extant problem that you already had. But that has nothing to do with fin.

Awkward that I'm not going silent on this. There is a "happy" ratio between the levels of testosterone and DHT. If DHT is too low in relation to testosterone, lowering it might cause problems.

Many men are getting hormone tests and determining that it is not a good idea to mess with what they have.

[Parker]

Based on the fact their hormone levels are not the same.

The hormone "profile" of a 20 year old will be vastly different to a man of 60. And yet we treat them all exactly the same!

There's such lack of knowledge and concern about all of this and I suspect one day we'll look back and wonder how this wasn't taken more seriously. All we hear on these forums is "pop this pill and you'll be fine!".

No need for standard tests? Guess you're not the one receiving emails from anxious men worried they have totally screwed up their sexual health for life.

Safety first.

I definitely agree it needs to be taken more seriously but I'm not sure a blood test would be able to predict susceptibility to sides?
That's why we need more studies done though I guess.

So tell me, why would a 20 yr old be more susceptible to sides? "different hormone levels" is not an answer. You're quick to criticize our "lack of knowledge", but once you start getting questioned you're going to go silent.

Yes, I state it very clearly, there is no need for hormonal testing prior to fin. UNLESS you're trying to uncover an extant problem that you already had. But that has nothing to do with fin.

Why are you so quick to rule out taking any form of caution or taking prevention measures?
Even if it's a very small percent of users, alot of peoples lives have been ruined by this drug. That should be enough to at least justify further research into prevention.