I have no choice; I am entering cocoon mode.

[Aames]

Aames, I know I seem like a dickhead when I post stuff, that's because A. I am B. I totally am a dickhead.

But honestly, I am not trying to rain on your parade or bring you down in some way, I am genuinely concerned about your well being.
And Duta is going to be nothing but hurt for you long term.
If the drug works it'll shrink your prostate, that's because that's what it's intended for.
And it's not just erectile dysfunction you need to worry about, it's hormonal imbalances, you will feel DRAINED of life, it'll feel like you're dying.

But you're a smart guy, you know how important your endocrine system is.



Your hair is a solid NW1.2 and you believe a few months on Duta, even if it had miraculously taken you to a NW1.1 has led to more girls checking you out?
You do realize how insane that sounds, don't you?



You were almost ready to start buzzing your hair, at NW 1.2, ARE YOU TROLLING US AAMES?
Or have I entered the twilight zone of hair loss body image mania?


I'm not some bitter hideous NW3+ sub human who wants to see your hair fall out, I really hope your treatment works and you keep your hair and don't destroy your body in the process.
But you're being highly irresponsible and irrational about it, especially considering your hair loss is so minor.
Even without treatment you'd likely be a NW2 at worst when you're 35 and by then there'd be numerous treatments or outright cures to choose from.

Friend, I am sorry if I came off as angry towards you. I often react with anger when people speak on my deepest, darkest fears. In many ways, I fear you may be correct but I absolutely have to try. I cannot live my life wondering what if. Additionally, I fully believe any side effects that occur will go away when I discontinue the drug. I will cross these bridges when and if I come to them.

Now, in regards to females. I am not saying that my hairline is affecting anything now; the way I style it shows pretty much zero hair loss to the average person. I was saying that my mood was opening me up to more social interactions but that doesn't matter; I fear my foray into social interaction has ended and I must venture back into cocoon mode. I don't know what to do; every time I speak to someone other than my very close friend, I feel as if I am an actor. I have to make up stories, pretend I care about things I despise, and contain my anger in order to appear as a normal person. I don't know how long I can keep doing this. You were right. I am ruined.

And as far as my comments surrounding buzzing my hair. I guess I meant to say that I was bracing myself mentally for it; rather than actually preparing to do it. Sorry for the confusion.

That is not likely if he has MPB now. Most guys who start losing it late teens-early 20s are aesthetically f*cked by their late 20s (forget mid 30s).
Fin was great for me but in hindsight I probably should have started dut right away to maximize regrowth.

This is what I feared and why I jumped on duta. I may have played around with fin longer had I not started losing hair until my 30's. Both my dad and my brother failed to escape their 20's with a remotely decent head of hair.

[25 going on 65]

Even without treatment you'd likely be a NW2 at worst when you're 35 and by then there'd be numerous treatments or outright cures to choose from.

That is not likely if he has MPB now. Most guys who start losing it late teens-early 20s are aesthetically f*cked by their late 20s (forget mid 30s).
Fin was great for me but in hindsight I probably should have started dut right away to maximize regrowth.

[itsmyhairs]

a) I care about being attractive and desired more than I care about sex.
b) I currently have no issues getting hard.
c) You're jealous because I'm maintaining and possibly regrowing while simultaneously suffering no side effects.
d) I make a conscious effort to try to be kind to everyone here, even those that don't agree with my views. It's the overly-negative, completely-hopeless people like you that I REALLY pity. I may suffer from an obsession with aesthetics and depression, but at least I have some degree of hope and I don't go around trying to bring others down. Enjoy being bald AND a complete douche.

Aames, I know I seem like a dickhead when I post stuff, that's because A. I am B. I totally am a dickhead.

But honestly, I am not trying to rain on your parade or bring you down in some way, I am genuinely concerned about your well being.
And Duta is going to be nothing but hurt for you long term.
If the drug works it'll shrink your prostate, that's because that's what it's intended for.
And it's not just erectile dysfunction you need to worry about, it's hormonal imbalances, you will feel DRAINED of life, it'll feel like you're dying.

But you're a smart guy, you know how important your endocrine system is.

my mood has taken a dramatic lift and I swear I notice more girls checking me out since all this has transpired.

Your hair is a solid NW1.2 and you believe a few months on Duta, even if it had miraculously taken you to a NW1.1 has led to more girls checking you out?
You do realize how insane that sounds, don't you?

I was almost ready to start buzzing and looking for a cell-tech dealer lol... Truthfully, I think the people that get sides (at least on some level) want to prevent others from taking the drug since they are now forced to go bald.

You were almost ready to start buzzing your hair, at NW 1.2, ARE YOU TROLLING US AAMES?
Or have I entered the twilight zone of hair loss body image mania?


I'm not some bitter hideous NW3+ sub human who wants to see your hair fall out, I really hope your treatment works and you keep your hair and don't destroy your body in the process.
But you're being highly irresponsible and irrational about it, especially considering your hair loss is so minor.
Even without treatment you'd likely be a NW2 at worst when you're 35 and by then there'd be numerous treatments or outright cures to choose from.

[25 going on 65]

I knew I was forgetting someone in my list of notable people! But yeah, I understand what you are saying; my mood has taken a dramatic lift and I swear I notice more girls checking me out since all this has transpired. While I was always a bit skeptical about how moods influence others' perceptions, maybe I am more open to interaction since I don't walk around with my head down as much. In any case, how is your duta progress coming along? I am approaching the end of two months and I'm pretty sure I am seeing some vellus hairs turn terminal at my temples. Nothing cosmetically significant, but progress nevertheless.

A little over 9 weeks for me....not sure if I see a difference. I like how my hair looks but that could be from other things. My diet has been good and I recently started new supplements (biotin + omegas). Plus I was already on fin+keto for 2-3 years so this is more like a step than a leap for me.
However I am not someone who watches my hair closely anymore. I'm not inspecting every day, I just figure if it gets dramatically worse or better I will notice (this is what happened with fin....many months down the line I realized one day "oh wow, I can wear this style that didn't work for me a year ago because my hair is better now")

1 thing I can say, not having a huge shed so far has been nice. Was worried about that!

[Aames]

Harsh way to rain on his parade. Erections are no problem when you feel good about yourself.

Anyway, Aames. I was going to reply to your cocoon post by saying you might find it hard to stay focused if you are not exposed to the opposite gender....in my experience I actually got more depressed when I was isolated because I did not have social motivation (women) to stay on my game
It is crazy how much better you can feel just by hitting it off with a pretty girl when you otherwise feel like crap.

I knew I was forgetting someone in my list of notable people! But yeah, I understand what you are saying; my mood has taken a dramatic lift and I swear I notice more girls checking me out since all this has transpired. While I was always a bit skeptical about how moods influence others' perceptions, maybe I am more open to interaction since I don't walk around with my head down as much. In any case, how is your duta progress coming along? I am approaching the end of two months and I'm pretty sure I am seeing some vellus hairs turn terminal at my temples. Nothing cosmetically significant, but progress nevertheless.

inb4 he kills himself now

Ugly bald people on here can't handle that there are some already attractive people out there who want to improve themselves even more. Apparently if you're not NW4 thinning, overweight, and facially ugly you have no reason to be doing anything about your situation.

I can't handle this shit anymore. And why should ED be an issue for everyone? Like you said, being beautiful is to many people more important than having sex. I for one could go my entire life without sex. On the other hand I couldn't go my entire life without hair or being considered very attractive. Maybe that's hard for some to understand, but to people like you and me it's crystal clear (not saying one or the other is right).

There's also such a huge amount of fear mongering. People literally creating lies about "fin only works for five years", "it could stop at any moment", and pretty much anything involving sides. Finasteride did NOT make your dick fall off after two tablets. Look on Propeciahelp and you can see by the tone of all their posts that they are incredibly mentally weak. I would personally love to do a placebo-only test on people suffering PFS. Make them take a pill that you claim has been proven to fix PFS. Would anyone like to bet against me that the vast majority would be cured? Moreover, the ones that aren't could probably be diagnosed with actual ED or something similar.

The reality is that post hoc ergo propter hoc is a logical fallacy which NOBODY considers enough.

Urgh. Aames I respect you immensely. If I ever lose hair on fin it's good to know you've given me the confidence to take duta. Nothing is more important to me than my looks and a NW0/1.

And I have nothing but respect for you, friend. I'll be logging on once my school week is over to discuss recent events and other things. I am really glad I found these forums. Before I had actually read the scientific literature and analyzed the facts critically, bb.com had me convinced that Propecia was killing dicks by the millions. I was almost ready to start buzzing and looking for a cell-tech dealer lol... Truthfully, I think the people that get sides (at least on some level) want to prevent others from taking the drug since they are now forced to go bald. Leveling out the playing field, so to speak. The more bald people walking around, the less they stand out.

I agree with this so much, I can barely verbalize it.

Their site never even updates from what I've heard either. Apparently people are realizing how silly their claims are. Wonder how things are going with their class action lawsuit??



I have such an odd mix of joy and anger regarding the fear mongers and how they influenced me; joy that I used my better judgement and stopped being a pu$$y about fin despite their flamboyant assertions, and anger that I let them deter me for a few months.

What's done is done though. I'm glad someone else shares my sentiment on those assholes though.

Yeah, at the end of the day, they have fewer than 3000 members I believe. And while it would be very stupid of me to insinuate that they are all delusional, one wonders how many of them have not conjured up sides due to fear mongering. I have discussed this before but I had terrible side effects with my first dose of fin (ED, major ball ache, numbness, fatigue, etc). I was so scared when I finally took it; I don't doubt that almost all of my sides were psychological. It certainly seems probable since I am now on duta with the DHT levels of a child and am not suffering any side effects to speak of. I hope you start seeing results from fin soon.

True say. I'm at that point in my life where I don't mind as much if I get it in or not cause I'm not trying to attain a high kill score no more brah! I'd rather have a pretty little thing on my arm with me looking aesthetically pleasing at least so people will look and think thats a good looking couple. Plus so my friends can see but if they ever wanted the girl on my arm, they can fking take her for all I care. Just another p*#%y.

And ED? That shit don't happen to everyone and if it does... Does it really matter to you about that one person or every in public that looks at you? For me, the latter. Maybe me views will change one day, maybe it won't but all I know is now and its now that matters son!

Yeah, I agree. I'm not going to say that I don't care about sex, because I do. But I honestly have more fun in the chase and the sexual tension that builds up than I do in the actual act. I never really understood wanting a high kill count; I guess I've always wanted to be a part of a really attractive power couple where everyone immediately takes notice when you walk into a room. I still want this despite my changing views on love and its fleeting nature; easy sex just doesn't hold a ton of appeal to me.

[Proper]

True say. I'm at that point in my life where I don't mind as much if I get it in or not cause I'm not trying to attain a high kill score no more brah! I'd rather have a pretty little thing on my arm with me looking aesthetically pleasing at least so people will look and think thats a good looking couple. Plus so my friends can see but if they ever wanted the girl on my arm, they can fking take her for all I care. Just another p*#%y.

And ED? That shit don't happen to everyone and if it does... Does it really matter to you about that one person or every in public that looks at you? For me, the latter. Maybe me views will change one day, maybe it won't but all I know is now and its now that matters son!

[BigThinker]

Finasteride did NOT make your dick fall off after two tablets. Look on Propeciahelp and you can see by the tone of all their posts that they are incredibly mentally weak.

I agree with this so much, I can barely verbalize it.

Their site never even updates from what I've heard either. Apparently people are realizing how silly their claims are. Wonder how things are going with their class action lawsuit??



I have such an odd mix of joy and anger regarding the fear mongers and how they influenced me; joy that I used my better judgement and stopped being a pu$$y about fin despite their flamboyant assertions, and anger that I let them deter me for a few months.

What's done is done though. I'm glad someone else shares my sentiment on those assholes though.

[25 going on 65]

Unfortunately you may have trouble attaining an erection when you get to the intercourse part, that's the legacy of Duta I'm afraid.
Perhaps she'll be happy in a relationship with a guy who can't have sex properly though.

Harsh way to rain on his parade. Erections are no problem when you feel good about yourself.

Anyway, Aames. I was going to reply to your cocoon post by saying you might find it hard to stay focused if you are not exposed to the opposite gender....in my experience I actually got more depressed when I was isolated because I did not have social motivation (women) to stay on my game
It is crazy how much better you can feel just by hitting it off with a pretty girl when you otherwise feel like crap.

[Aames]

Unfortunately you may have trouble attaining an erection when you get to the intercourse part, that's the legacy of Duta I'm afraid.
Perhaps she'll be happy in a relationship with a guy who can't have sex properly though.

a) I care about being attractive and desired more than I care about sex.
b) I currently have no issues getting hard.
c) You're jealous because I'm maintaining and possibly regrowing while simultaneously suffering no side effects.
d) I make a conscious effort to try to be kind to everyone here, even those that don't agree with my views. It's the overly-negative, completely-hopeless people like you that I REALLY pity. I may suffer from an obsession with aesthetics and depression, but at least I have some degree of hope and I don't go around trying to bring others down. Enjoy being bald AND a complete douche.

[itsmyhairs]

Very true. I am fortunate in that I have caught my loss early and can still rock most hair-styles. Honestly though, I really like your hair. It wouldn't look good on me (I look too young, get called a pretty boy far more than I get called handsome), but it fits you very well. You would fit right in inside of the Mad Men universe.

Anyway, it looks as if I may be forced out of cocoon mode far earlier than anticipated. Things are happening for me. My acne is pretty clear right now, my hair loss has pretty much ground to a halt (I do notice shedding when on EC though; I think it may have something to do with increased cortisol levels. I may make a post on this after some more experimentation), and I have my first date in two years this week and it is with a legit 9/10. I FINALLY sacked up and asked her out (after months of crushing on her) as I had reached a point where I really no longer cared what happened since I always had cocoon mode to fall back into and could come back stronger. I guess it wasn't needed; now she won't leave me alone and texts me constantly.

I just want to thank this entire community. Especially the people in this thread and notables like BigThinker, PatientlyWaiting, Davey, Proper, Exodus, and Highlander. It looks as though my life is starting to improve. The very fact that this girl is interested fills me with confidence again. You guys really helped me get through what was probably the darkest time of my life, even though you're just strangers on the internet. Thank you for that. I only hope that I can ride this wave of good-feelings and maintain both my aesthetic and social gains.

Unfortunately you may have trouble attaining an erection when you get to the intercourse part, that's the legacy of Duta I'm afraid.
Perhaps she'll be happy in a relationship with a guy who can't have sex properly though.

[Aames]

Exactly. Once you get into the professional world, it's all bout being clean cut. It sucks to get older, but we have to do it gracefully and make the most of the present.

Very true. I am fortunate in that I have caught my loss early and can still rock most hair-styles. Honestly though, I really like your hair. It wouldn't look good on me (I look too young, get called a pretty boy far more than I get called handsome), but it fits you very well. You would fit right in inside of the Mad Men universe.

Anyway, it looks as if I may be forced out of cocoon mode far earlier than anticipated. Things are happening for me. My acne is pretty clear right now, my hair loss has pretty much ground to a halt (I do notice shedding when on EC though; I think it may have something to do with increased cortisol levels. I may make a post on this after some more experimentation), and I have my first date in two years this week and it is with a legit 9/10. I FINALLY sacked up and asked her out (after months of crushing on her) as I had reached a point where I really no longer cared what happened since I always had cocoon mode to fall back into and could come back stronger. I guess it wasn't needed; now she won't leave me alone and texts me constantly.

I just want to thank this entire community. Especially the people in this thread and notables like BigThinker, PatientlyWaiting, Davey, Proper, Exodus, and Highlander. It looks as though my life is starting to improve. The very fact that this girl is interested fills me with confidence again. You guys really helped me get through what was probably the darkest time of my life, even though you're just strangers on the internet. Thank you for that. I only hope that I can ride this wave of good-feelings and maintain both my aesthetic and social gains.

[BigThinker]

Yeah, just be aware of a (assumed) higher chance of side effects. And yeah, that's the problem with the side-swept look; you can really only wear it while you look young.

Exactly. Once you get into the professional world, it's all bout being clean cut. It sucks to get older, but we have to do it gracefully and make the most of the present.

[Aames]

Yah. i side sweep it somewhat but honestly, as we get older, no1 wants to see a kids hairstyle on a grown man. That looks weird and ugly as shit unless ur zyzz. But in all honesty, having a buzz of clippers 3 for top and 1-2 for sides is the most cleanest and most classic cut of all times (that may be subjective actually). If you wanna look sharp, longer hair is a definate no unless the face allows for it (just took a look at tom brady and yah he looks good with long combed back hair)

And Thanks for the suggestion. I will definately look into duta. It never occurred to me to take it until you mentioned it now. I just thought cause it was cheaper and can be insured which is why most ppl take it.

Yeah, just be aware of a (assumed) higher chance of side effects. And yeah, that's the problem with the side-swept look; you can really only wear it while you look young.

[Proper]

Yeah, if I could put my knowledge into practice I would be shredded and drowning in vagina. I really hope things get better; I'll do an update thread in a month to see how I am progressing. I hope you get over your anxiety too, man. I'm sure you feel some sense of freedom and empowerment since you started buzzing. I forget, are you on or did you try fin?


As for your hairline, perhaps you could grow it out and pull off the side-swept bangs look like Scorpion used to do (also see early Justin Bieber and Tom Brady pre-HT). Also, you may consider duta in the future. It really seems to have good results on the hairline (this is the reason I started taking it).

And yeah, I definitely understand where you're coming from in regards to meeting people. I have a very hard time leveling with people and getting them to like me. My friends all think I'm funny and I'm well-liked by those that know me but, as you say, I can't leave a good impression on people unless they come at me very friendly first.

Yah. i side sweep it somewhat but honestly, as we get older, no1 wants to see a kids hairstyle on a grown man. That looks weird and ugly as shit unless ur zyzz. But in all honesty, having a buzz of clippers 3 for top and 1-2 for sides is the most cleanest and most classic cut of all times (that may be subjective actually). If you wanna look sharp, longer hair is a definate no unless the face allows for it (just took a look at tom brady and yah he looks good with long combed back hair)

And Thanks for the suggestion. I will definately look into duta. It never occurred to me to take it until you mentioned it now. I just thought cause it was cheaper and can be insured which is why most ppl take it.

[Aames]

He's got a point. I mean you can attain all the internet knowledge in the world, but you gotta put it into practice, which I gather seems to be the hard part.

I empathise on the social anxiety though, minus the super-confident, Im sure it's affected us all on here at some point.

Yeah, if I could put my knowledge into practice I would be shredded and drowning in vagina. I really hope things get better; I'll do an update thread in a month to see how I am progressing. I hope you get over your anxiety too, man. I'm sure you feel some sense of freedom and empowerment since you started buzzing. I forget, are you on or did you try fin?

I'm 23, turning 24, nw 2 about 3-4 years back, started diffusing I believe a year and a half ago, started propecia a year ago, hair thickened back to almost original state but hairline is still ****ed at nw2 (classic v shape), but it doesn't look like it if I grew my hair out about 3-4 inches. Started minoxidil almost at two month mark, nothing changed but still using just cause. I am very very critical of my appearances right now and if my hairline recedes more or if my hair diffuses again then FML, I'mma murk some bitches.




Ahaha. Just smile a bit and look like you're interested from time to time and you'll "appear" friendlier. Thats what I do but whenever I meet new people and they tell me their jokes and shit, I couldn't give a rats fking ass about it unless I thought they were cool in the first place. And yes, the appearance thing for the most part, especially at this age, is for me, so fking crucial. I feel like its not fair that people didn't get the chance to meet me when I had nice hair (sounds fking lame but whatever, fk it). I dated a girl that started putting on pounds and I told her its not fair that sh'es not maintaining what she had before and that all the guys that dated her before me got her in a better state than I did. I mean c'mon what the ****. Then she critiques my hairline cause I always made jokes about it and I told her, **** you, if I could do something about it, I ****ing would and you know what, I acutally am. But for you? You can lose the ****ing weight but instead you don't and sit around do shit all so who's the one thats the sloth bitch. Pisses me off.


With my hairline in this state, it makes me more of a critical, judgemental, strict person. I was carefree til I started now have to caring for my hair diminishment (if thats even a word), and if someone ****s with me, its over for em. I feel like I am more tempermental than before, I tick really easily. I don't feel empathy except laugh and make a mockery of everything. I really couldn't give anything anymore. I'm more for "I'm doing me" thing. Yes, I do humor people if I like them but now its really hard to come off genuinely friendly in the first place unless they come at me with a positive vibe first. I can't find better words to say what I want to say right now but its just something that you will know if you develop these same kinda tendencies.

As for your hairline, perhaps you could grow it out and pull off the side-swept bangs look like Scorpion used to do (also see early Justin Bieber and Tom Brady pre-HT). Also, you may consider duta in the future. It really seems to have good results on the hairline (this is the reason I started taking it).

And yeah, I definitely understand where you're coming from in regards to meeting people. I have a very hard time leveling with people and getting them to like me. My friends all think I'm funny and I'm well-liked by those that know me but, as you say, I can't leave a good impression on people unless they come at me very friendly first.