Propecia Side Effects- Percentage affected

[DuckingAngels]

Not trying to start a massive argument here, but I just thought I would point out the following:

I know six people currently taking Propecia, and whilst their results have ranged from great regrowth in one case to slightly reduced loss in another, none of them have sides.

As far as I am aware, none of them post on this or any other hair forum. I assume that's because they personally are content with knowing that they are doing pretty much all they can to fight it.

So hence I wouldn't be too alarmed at the fact that lots of people on this forum are reporting sides, and yet the official figure is 3% or whatever. It's likely that a lot of people aren't compelled to join a hair loss forum just to state that they are currently having some form of success. I imagine half of the glory of winning the battle against hairloss must be not having to obsess and research on places like these (not suggesting that everyone here does this).

[2020]

So hence I wouldn't be too alarmed at the fact that lots of people on this forum are reporting sides, and yet the official figure is 3% or whatever. It's likely that a lot of people aren't compelled to join a hair loss forum just to state that they are currently having some form of success. I imagine half of the glory of winning the battle against hairloss must be not having to obsess and research on places like these (not suggesting that everyone here does this).

bingo!

*** actually gives this warning:

Please remember that this forum is not an accurate representation of how common side effects are. The minority who do experience them tend to seek out online sources for help. Clinical study data is the only reliable source for this information.

[skipstah70]

What kind of little girl runs to a hairloss forum and tattles a tale "I know at least 6 people who are taking propecia and none of them have any side effects".

I mean seriously.. you sound ridiculous.

If you don't have any firsthand experience in taking the drug, then don't vouch for the reality (or not) of it's side effects. Let your "friends" come here and speak for themselves.

(I bet they tell you they have 10" dicks too ).

[DuckingAngels]

What kind of little girl runs to a hairloss forum and tattles a tale "I know at least 6 people who are taking propecia and none of them have any side effects".

I mean seriously.. you sound ridiculous.

If you don't have any firsthand experience in taking the drug, then don't vouch for the reality (or not) of it's side effects. Let your "friends" come here and speak for themselves.

(I bet they tell you they have 10" dicks too ).

Incredible response. Fairly speechless.

[BaldinLikeBaldwin]

Exactly, it's valuable that people post their stories and experiences but a group of forum users shouldn't be seen as a fair representation of all finasteride users. First and foremost one needs to consult with a doctor and read the major studies that have been made so far.

[the_charger]

the best way to accurately find out how many people are effected by side effects is looking at studies that have a placebo control group.. this is the most foolproof way to get good results!

[skipstah70]

Incredible response. Fairly speechless.

Thanks! (you should be).

[Maradona]

Fact of the matter is most people will not have side effects. If you are the unlucky ones move on try something different, if you're doing fine on finasteride MOVE on from hair loss forums live your life don't keep proving to yourself it's safe because IT IS SAFE but for you alone.

Thread is useless of course things seem much more than clinical data online.

But one thing merk did not take into account was long term side effects after stopping the drug, that's what happens to most pfs users also most people DO have side effects but do not notice it at the beggining because they are tolerable.

Or they end up having 3 to 5 years later then they stop the drug and KABOOM they're life is over.

They Key here is the crash of hormones, people who get sides at the beggining seem to have low dht high estrogen so that when they take FIN , CHAZAAAAAAM, their dick explodes.

Others people DHT go down as they age or keep going and up down( not because of FIN) and having that extra fin reducing 80% of DHT, CHAZAAAAAM, dick gone, then they drop the drug, KABOOOOOOM dick explodes.

Again this is all probably within 5% MAX.

It's a safe drug for the 95%, DEADLY and CRIPPLING (if continued for a long time) for the remaining less than 5%.

[8868alex]

Incredible response. Fairly speechless.

I agree - Way off the chart!

[chrisis]

Other side of the coin:

I started taking finasteride after joining the forum, and was convinced it was safe due to the volume of people saying it is safe here - rather to the contrary of what is being suggested here. Lo and behold I got side effects within 2-3 months. If it was because of something I read online, then I should have got the side effects straight away.

I also know a few people on Propecia, who don't post here. Out of 4 friends, 2 have sides and 2 haven't mentioned getting any - which doesn't mean they're not.

I don't buy the argument that people join a hair loss forum to complain about side effects. They come here for general hair advice, and therefore I'd expect it to be a fair reflection of reality. If there are more reporting sides than the figures suggests, then it's time to question the figures. The fact Merck and FDA are now in "reverse" position in terms of their warnings and labeling, is enough to arouse suspicion as well.

Whatever the truth is, it is not wise to base a medical decision on anecdotal advice.

[DuckingAngels]

Other side of the coin:

I started taking finasteride after joining the forum, and was convinced it was safe due to the volume of people saying it is safe here - rather to the contrary of what is being suggested here. Lo and behold I got side effects within 2-3 months. If it was because of something I read online, then I should have got the side effects straight away.

I also know a few people on Propecia, who don't post here. Out of 4 friends, 2 have sides and 2 haven't mentioned getting any - which doesn't mean they're not.

I don't buy the argument that people join a hair loss forum to complain about side effects. They come here for general hair advice, and therefore I'd expect it to be a fair reflection of reality. If there are more reporting sides than the figures suggests, then it's time to question the figures. The fact Merck and FDA are now in "reverse" position in terms of their warnings and labeling, is enough to arouse suspicion as well.

Whatever the truth is, it is not wise to base a medical decision on anecdotal advice.

Hasn't this just contradicted your entire argument?

Also I wasn't suggesting that you have gotten sides because you saw something online. I'm just saying that some people will go online because they have gotten sides. You say people are here for advice and not to complain, well yes that is often true. People are far more likely to need advice in cases where the drug isn't working and/or is giving them bad sides.

I understand that you are probably just trying to help people, but it feels slightly like your (understandable) frustrations are causing you to have an agenda.

[chrisis]

Hasn't this just contradicted your entire argument?

You have your anecdotes and I have mine. The non-contradictory conclusion is that nobody should make a medical decision on that basis.

Agenda? You start this topic claiming Propecia is probably fine because you and a bunch of friends didn't get side effects. Extend your little survey to a few hundred people and test it in a controlled environment and you'll have yourself a worthy topic.

Until then.

[ThinningB420]

You have your anecdotes and I have mine. The non-contradictory conclusion is that nobody should make a medical decision on that basis.

Agenda? You start this topic claiming Propecia is probably fine because you and a bunch of friends didn't get side effects. Extend your little survey to a few hundred people and test it in a controlled environment and you'll have yourself a worth topic.

Until then.

I've been browsing these forums for a few months and it definitely seems like you support the claims of higher percentage of side effects based on anecdotal evidence based on too small of a sample size( experience from a few friends, yourself, message boards, and minimal studies). Quite frankly, I find it irritating.

Those who claim the side effects are in people's minds without research are just as guilty of the above statistical sampling error and their arguments are equally irritating.

As someone, who has suffered rare side effects on other drugs, accutane, I believe you that you legitimately experienced the side effects you claim. I also believe, as we learn later, many FDA approved drugs have side effects at greater rates than originally believed; hence, the labels are changed, companies are successfully sued, and drugs are removed from the market.

I believe you cannot remove the bias of these drug companies in reporting their data despite the measures taken to remove bias ( blind and double blind studies using random sampling) because of the fact that they are going to present the data in the most favorable manner possible. These companies, like any other company valuate the possible losses from lawsuits against the potential profits from the products and will put out products despite knowing serious potential for lawsuits (look at the Ford Pinto).

Unfortunately, it appears to me, that users like yourself and users on the other side of the argument end up fall for the trap of limiting the argument to personal experiences, poor studies, and other anecdotal evidence. This may be the result of the lack of good data (my personal opinion) or a general lack of understanding of logic (probably a minor factor). Maybe one day we will finally have a more detailed study on finasteride.

Even then we must be careful. I think Mark Twain said it best,"Lies, damned lies, and statistics".

[DuckingAngels]

You have your anecdotes and I have mine. The non-contradictory conclusion is that nobody should make a medical decision on that basis.

Agenda? You start this topic claiming Propecia is probably fine because you and a bunch of friends didn't get side effects. Extend your little survey to a few hundred people and test it in a controlled environment and you'll have yourself a worthy topic.

Until then.

Hmm. Well firstly I have never taken propecia. Never claimed to.

As for the underlined part; this has been done, and I think that ED based sides were somewhere around 2-8%?

At this stage, you are purely speculating about the actual percentage deviating from the above figure. I am not. Just like you say, we shouldn't base medical decisions on anecdotes. I am not even saying you are wrong about your suspicions regarding Propecia sides. I have no personal bias on the drug either way. I am just trying to point out that, until something substantial/concrete comes along to discredit the offcial figures, there is no point in speculating. My anecdote and your anecdote cancelling each other out makes my point entirely. There is nothing concrete other than the official figures given.

For now at least...

[mpb47]

Have any of you ever had bad sides from FIN, then get back on a much lower dosage and be ok? I had bad bad sides after 3 years and was able to get by with just minox for about 5 years but now the hair right outside my crown spot is getting thinner and softer. Same to a lessor degree at hairline.

On another site people it is suggested that much smaller doses might get results without the sides. Anyone ever try this? Thanks..