Hi all, Sorry this is so long, but I am really at a crossroads and could use any advice.
First a little of my back story. I am a 37yo guy and I have been on Propecia/Finasteride (1mg) for over 13 years. I am getting married and am planning on having kids in the next year (fingers crossed). I like fishing and long wal...oh wait, sorry. Got carried away there. So, I was never really warned of any side-effects, much less any that could have been permanent. My mom's dad is bald (male pattern), but my dad, and his dad (87yo), have the same hairline that I do (receding, but fine on the crown(?) area).
The Good: I've been on Propecia/finasteride for 13 years with good results. I have not thinned since being on it, and I feel like the actual hairs on my head are thicker, if not necessarily more of them. I have had very little noticeable side effects (see the Bad).
The Bad: I have noticed a decrease in ejaculate (no big deal really, I think at least, until trying to have kids), and I just noticed no more morning wood (although I asked a friend who's not on anything and he said he is about the same), sex drive may be a little decreased and maybe slightly softer erection (but I AM 37), I have anxiety and have dealt with depression and maybe a little bit of cognitive "cloud." But I have tended toward these things and have a family history of them too. I have recently developed the man-boob a bit too, and I am in otherwise good shape. I even still have six-(ok four) pack abs.
My issues are these though: First, you gotta figure that men that are worried about hair loss are going to be the type (as a whole at least), that are more inclined toward anxiety if not depression. And age certainly affects libido a bit at least, and possibly the "cloud" symptoms that many describe. A study that reported the negative findings about Propecia does seem a little spuriously small. However, you gotta figure many men suffer in silence or ignorance about these things too. I also am a little nervous about having kids while on a hormone changing pill, but is the damage already done? How often are people recovering from any of these "side-effects"?
I don't know what to do. My hair is important to me especially because I am about to enter an entirely new professional career, but my cognitive abilities as well as libido and most importantly, well-being, are much more important...but that's easy to say with a full head of hair...My new career could afford me the opportunity for plugs in the future, I don't know, do those require Propecia as well?
My Plan: I am thinking of shaving my head this weekend to see how I feel about that. I think my head has a nice shape to it!? If I don't hate it, I think I am going to go off the Prop. But I realize that most (if any) that I lose, is gone forever...(shudder).
Any advice is very appreciated. Thanks.
First a little of my back story. I am a 37yo guy and I have been on Propecia/Finasteride (1mg) for over 13 years. I am getting married and am planning on having kids in the next year (fingers crossed). I like fishing and long wal...oh wait, sorry. Got carried away there. So, I was never really warned of any side-effects, much less any that could have been permanent. My mom's dad is bald (male pattern), but my dad, and his dad (87yo), have the same hairline that I do (receding, but fine on the crown(?) area).
The Good: I've been on Propecia/finasteride for 13 years with good results. I have not thinned since being on it, and I feel like the actual hairs on my head are thicker, if not necessarily more of them. I have had very little noticeable side effects (see the Bad).
The Bad: I have noticed a decrease in ejaculate (no big deal really, I think at least, until trying to have kids), and I just noticed no more morning wood (although I asked a friend who's not on anything and he said he is about the same), sex drive may be a little decreased and maybe slightly softer erection (but I AM 37), I have anxiety and have dealt with depression and maybe a little bit of cognitive "cloud." But I have tended toward these things and have a family history of them too. I have recently developed the man-boob a bit too, and I am in otherwise good shape. I even still have six-(ok four) pack abs.
My issues are these though: First, you gotta figure that men that are worried about hair loss are going to be the type (as a whole at least), that are more inclined toward anxiety if not depression. And age certainly affects libido a bit at least, and possibly the "cloud" symptoms that many describe. A study that reported the negative findings about Propecia does seem a little spuriously small. However, you gotta figure many men suffer in silence or ignorance about these things too. I also am a little nervous about having kids while on a hormone changing pill, but is the damage already done? How often are people recovering from any of these "side-effects"?
I don't know what to do. My hair is important to me especially because I am about to enter an entirely new professional career, but my cognitive abilities as well as libido and most importantly, well-being, are much more important...but that's easy to say with a full head of hair...My new career could afford me the opportunity for plugs in the future, I don't know, do those require Propecia as well?
My Plan: I am thinking of shaving my head this weekend to see how I feel about that. I think my head has a nice shape to it!? If I don't hate it, I think I am going to go off the Prop. But I realize that most (if any) that I lose, is gone forever...(shudder).
Any advice is very appreciated. Thanks.
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