People who decided to give in to baldness... how do you feel now?

[kayzee]

Hi guys been a while since I visited. I was deciding whether or not to take Propecia... but I think, at this point at least, I've decided not to go ahead with it. I just don't like the sound of the side effects.

I turn 30 in August and I've decided that's going to be the day I call quits on my hair. Although Regaine has stopped me from shedding too much more over the past couple of years, I feel using Toppik (whilst wonderful) is basically the modern equivalent of a comb-over!

When I had a full head of hair I used to shave it all off anyway during college, so I'm not too bothered on the look, although I'm worried to see just how bad the damage is, as it's really started to go at the front over the past 12 months or so.

Basically wondering if anyone's done the same... i.e. set a date and just gone for it, and if so how you felt afterwards? Any regret? Thanks.

[UK_]

Shit before shaving shit after.

[Dav7]

Hi guys been a while since I visited. I was deciding whether or not to take Propecia... but I think, at this point at least, I've decided not to go ahead with it. I just don't like the sound of the side effects.

I turn 30 in August and I've decided that's going to be the day I call quits on my hair. Although Regaine has stopped me from shedding too much more over the past couple of years, I feel using Toppik (whilst wonderful) is basically the modern equivalent of a comb-over!

When I had a full head of hair I used to shave it all off anyway during college, so I'm not too bothered on the look, although I'm worried to see just how bad the damage is, as it's really started to go at the front over the past 12 months or so.

Basically wondering if anyone's done the same... i.e. set a date and just gone for it, and if so how you felt afterwards? Any regret? Thanks.

Don't give up man, keep up the fight. Anyways, there is no law against having a shaved head when you've a full head of hair. The only difference been is that it is actually a choice , and not something you have to do. . Important to remember that. Also, I was scared about propecia for a good long while, however I came around to it in the end. Also, would suggest looking at Spencer Kobren's video on propecia for some reassurance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPRgYdH6Rw

[Notcoolanymore]

Don't give up man, keep up the fight. Anyways, there is no law against having a shaved head when you've a full head of hair. The only difference been is that it is actually a choice , and not something you have to do. . Important to remember that. Also, I was scared about propecia for a good long while, however I came around to it in the end. Also, would suggest looking at Spencer Kobren's video on propecia for some reassurance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPRgYdH6Rw

Good youtube video. All guys that have been frightened away from taking fin should really watch this video.

[BigThinker]

It pains me to know that dudes don't give fin a chance because of stories of side effects: ignoring the scientific research, not considering that the horror stories very well could be from virgin porn addicts, not considering that a quadrillion (roughly) men take it no problem, etc.

Just get on fin.

[UK_]

It pains me to know that dudes don't give fin a chance because of stories of side effects: ignoring the scientific research, not considering that the horror stories very well could be from virgin porn addicts, not considering that a quadrillion (roughly) men take it no problem, etc.

Just get on fin.

Yeah because all the people on propeciahelp and the ones that committed suicide all just needed to quit watching porn.

Excessive porn use can lead to erectile dysfunction in some cases, but to attribute it to the kinds of stories associated with androgen deprivation is simply asinine.

[Cr779]

Yeah seriously some of the Propecia advocates are assholes who like to ignore the suffering of others.

I won't argue the stats either it's rare, really rare for bad shit to happen but don't discredit the pain of suffering of those few it does happen to.

You say "virgin porn addicts" but when I was quitting and my T levels took a noise dive by 50% I don't think that was due to a porn addiction.

And I got better, slowly over a few months, so no I'm not saying propecia broke my dick but it came damn close and left me without erections and messed up testosterone for a while. Which is something people here claim is "impossible" despite the blood tests I have to prove it.

[DepressedByHairLoss]

It wouldn't hurt to at least try out finasteride; that can't hurt. But the potential for side effects is very real. I'm living proof of that and I've never been on propeciahelp or anything.

[Notcoolanymore]

It pains me to know that dudes don't give fin a chance because of stories of side effects: ignoring the scientific research, not considering that the horror stories very well could be from virgin porn addicts, not considering that a quadrillion (roughly) men take it no problem, etc.

Just get on fin.

Agree with this 100%.

[Notcoolanymore]

I agree that propecia has the potential to cause sides. That's undeniable. But so does EVERY other prescription drug out there. Why don't we just get rid of all prescription drugs since the potential is there that they may cause harm?!

Just because somebody is recommending fin doesn't mean they don't acknowledge the fact that fin has caused sides. There is nothing wrong with recommending a drug that you have had success with along with millions of others. Just because you tried to take the drug and got sides doesn't mean others shouldn't be given the same opportunity that you had. That is pretty selfish if you ask me. It's one thing to be bitter, but to try to screw others over and scare them away from the best thing we have to stop/slow down hair loss is just straight BS. You guys want to ban a drug that has helped millions for over 25 years, because a few thousand people have been harmed by it.

[Cr779]

Notcoolanymore most of us aren't saying anything about removing propecia from the market or even that people should never try it just that the sides are very real and shouldn't be downplayed and those who have experienced them should not be dismissed. A lot of the advocated for propecia on this board get overly sensitive when anyone mentions the sides and will either attack the poster calling them a fear monger, hypochondriac or flat out a liar.

A lot of us post to warn people of the negative side of fin because we wish we had listened to those posts more ourselves. I for one wish I listened to stories like Chrisis and never took the drug. So all I do is tell my story and warn people that sides are real and can be very life changing.

Yeah it's only "harmed a few thousand people" it's easy to say that like it's no big deal when you haven't been harmed or know someone who has. Try spending 3 months with no erections and thinking that you may never recover. It was the worst 3 months of my life and I never want anyone to have to deal with that so I advise people to really really think about it and be careful if they chose to start propecia, not just hop on like its the risk free wonder drug that many claim it is.

[Notcoolanymore]

Notcoolanymore most of us aren't saying anything about removing propecia from the market or even that people should never try it just that the sides are very real and shouldn't be downplayed and those who have experienced them should not be dismissed. A lot of the advocated for propecia on this board get overly sensitive when anyone mentions the sides and will either attack the poster calling them a fear monger, hypochondriac or flat out a liar.

A lot of us post to warn people of the negative side of fin because we wish we had listened to those posts more ourselves. I for one wish I listened to stories like Chrisis and never took the drug. So all I do is tell my story and warn people that sides are real and can be very life changing.

Yeah it's only "harmed a few thousand people" it's easy to say that like it's no big deal when you haven't been harmed or know someone who has. Try spending 3 months with no erections and thinking that you may never recover. It was the worst 3 months of my life and I never want anyone to have to deal with that so I advise people to really really think about it and be careful if they chose to start propecia, not just hop on like its the risk free wonder drug that many claim it is.

I don't have a problem with anything you said here. I have been on fin 6 months side free. If I get sides, I will tell my story also. I have no problem with people sharing their experience. That's what this place is for. But you and I both know that there are people that go overboard and take things too far. I am talking about the "fin is poison" people. The respect goes both ways. People should not be dismissed if they talk about getting sides. People having success on fin shouldn't get the "it's only a matter of time before you get sides" certain ED speech either.

[Dav7]

I don't have a problem with anything you said here. I have been on fin 6 months side free. If I get sides, I will tell my story also. I have no problem with people sharing their experience. That's what this place is for. But you and I both know that there are people that go overboard and take things too far. I am talking about the "fin is poison" people. The respect goes both ways. People should not be dismissed if they talk about getting sides. People having success on fin shouldn't get the "it's only a matter of time before you get sides" certain ED speech either.

Well put Notcoolanymore. It should be pointed out that forums like this or propeciahelp.com are naturally going to attract a much larger and disproportionate volume of users complaining of the side effects in comparative terms to real life users, who for the most part never encounter any problems, and even Spencer has pointed this out in his show on propecia.

However, I agree that for some users that propecia will have side effects and that that should be respected and understood, and that the drug should be avoided by certain individuals. However, we also cannot let scare tactics put off potential users to what is (along with dut, but I won't go there as it's not approved yet for hair loss) the most important tool in preventing further hair loss. Yes, for some unfortunate individuals it will have side effects, and these are very real.

However, this can be said for any medication/ drug out there regarding side effects. Propecia like any drug will have side effects, and like any drug certain users would be best advised to avoid it. However for the vast majority, propecia is not only life changing, but a generally safe drug for most of it's users.

[Cr779]

I don't have a problem with anything you said here. I have been on fin 6 months side free. If I get sides, I will tell my story also. I have no problem with people sharing their experience. That's what this place is for. But you and I both know that there are people that go overboard and take things too far. I am talking about the "fin is poison" people. The respect goes both ways. People should not be dismissed if they talk about getting sides. People having success on fin shouldn't get the "it's only a matter of time before you get sides" certain ED speech either.

Agreed.

[vcity]

Yeah seriously some of the Propecia advocates are assholes who like to ignore the suffering of others.

I won't argue the stats either it's rare, really rare for bad shit to happen but don't discredit the pain of suffering of those few it does happen to.

You say "virgin porn addicts" but when I was quitting and my T levels took a noise dive by 50% I don't think that was due to a porn addiction.

And I got better, slowly over a few months, so no I'm not saying propecia broke my dick but it came damn close and left me without erections and messed up testosterone for a while. Which is something people here claim is "impossible" despite the blood tests I have to prove it.

I made a post similar to this already, but how are you so certain that finasteride caused your testosterone levels to drop?

In fact, the opposite is supposed to happen. In short - Finasteride inhibits an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT thus increasing the amount of testosterone circulating in your blood.

What is known to reduce serum testosterone, however, is high levels of stress and anxiety- coincidently, both are known to decrease libido as well.