Should I start Finasteride? [Pic Included]

[BigThinker]

Hey,

I'm a 24 year old, just started having noticeable hairloss this past May. I was workin 50-70 hours as a barback outside on a warf, and another 20-30 as an intern. Needless to say, my life was relatively high stress, sleep was insufficient and irregular, and food consumption followed the same path. I'm down to 20 hours as an intern, but now I am back in grad school full time.

My dad is super bald, and used to have thin blonde hair when he did have it. His brother is pretty bald too, also blonde and thin. My maternal grandfather is a Spanish man with black hair I don't think a razer could slide through. My mother has thick black hair as well, and she's not bald either (yeah right?!?!?). Her brothers both have thick black hair (and are in their 20s and 30s), like she and I do. Being young, naive, and probably even ****y, I grew up with my thick black head of hair and the ole wives tale that "you will have the hairloss of your maternal grandfather" thinking, "Man, it's so awesome I don't have to go bald". Well, I've since got a bachelor's in biology and a lot more knowledge from the school of life.

I refuse to pray that my hairloss is TE, and pray that it's must a maturing hairline that will stop like my grandfather's.

As you can see in the picture, my hairlines definitely receded, though I don't have a good before (trust me on this one):


Honestly, I'm actually comfortable with a "mature" hairline where I'm at in my life. However, I'd rather NOT have a bald head, at least not until I trick some dime into marrying me and getting stuck with it. I'm not so superficial that a bald head would make me feel like a total mutant. You guys get what I'm saying.

ANYWAYS, I set up a dermatology appointment but it's about a month away.. zzzzzzz. I'm thinking I want to put my mind at ease and try a pharmaceutical solution (castor oil, a healthy diet, excercise, and scalp massages aren't cutting it.) I JUST read about finasteride. It looks insanely cheap, doesn't require a prescription, and seems overall too good to be true.

Gentlemen, would you be so kind as to lay your experience out before me. Realistically, I'm probably going to go scoop some up at 8 AM tomorrow before class and start asking ladies for phone numbers on campus with my new found confidence. Haha - just playin (sorta). What's up guys? What do you think? How much does it cost? What are your results? Keep in mind I will be seeing a dermatologist for a prognosis.

Thanks in advance, I will be keeping this post updated to share results with peers.

[BigThinker]

Here's my temples

My temples are where the hair loss is most noticeable for me. Here are pics of them. Sorry for double post, I couldn't find the Edit button.

[rdawg]

Finasteride Positives:

It should at the very least, slow your hairloss, in most cases, will delay it 5-10 years or more(i.e itll keep all the hair you have for a long time). If you were thinning i'd say it also has the chance to reverse that a bit.

Negatives:

small chance(5-8&#37 of sides, not permanent, such as impotence, watery semen etc. the vast majority of the time, these are temporary if they do occur. 98-99% chance they wont be permanent.

Overall I dont see any major hairloss, however due to your family history, I'd reccomend monitoring it before going on propecia/proscar etc. If it continues to get worse a bit, then yes I'd reccomend proscar(plus potential rogaine.)

[BigThinker]

Finasteride Positives:

It should at the very least, slow your hairloss, in most cases, will delay it 5-10 years or more(i.e itll keep all the hair you have for a long time). If you were thinning i'd say it also has the chance to reverse that a bit.

Negatives:

small chance(5-8%) of sides, not permanent, such as impotence, watery semen etc. the vast majority of the time, these are temporary if they do occur. 98-99% chance they wont be permanent.

Overall I dont see any major hairloss, however due to your family history, I'd reccomend monitoring it before going on propecia/proscar etc. If it continues to get worse a bit, then yes I'd reccomend proscar(plus potential rogaine.)

Thanks for your response. I understand sides has a relatively small probability. If impotence/libido occurred I would probably choose balding over side effects (assuming they persisted of course.)

What is the safest/most reliable place to buy fin? Further, what is a wise tapering regime for someone in my position. My hair has been thinning for enough months for me to feel like investing in it. Early Nov I will see a dermatologist and get their take. I just feel like I want to get started before then.

[rdawg]

I'd reccomend rogaine first, as you can pick that up at say walmart right now and it will at least slow down the loss until your dermatologist gives you their reccomendations. Rogaine wont give you any side effects(but it doesnt address the problem like finasteride does.)

As for fin, through your local doctor is best, you can get proscar for about $70 for a year's supply. Not sure how you get it outside of prescription. Just cut the 5mg proscar into quarters so that it's the same dose as propecia.

[BigThinker]

My only beef with rogaine is it is pretty expensive, especially considering I'm a full time student. Further, the idea of the initial heavy shed I've read about that happens when people start worries the hell out of me. I understand there is a Return On Investment, if you will, but I feel like simply stopping the hair loss (rather than try and regrow it) is what I want - I'm genuinely comfortable with my current hair, just afraid to lose too much more.

As for fin purchasing without prescription, I've done some research and found a handful of sites. I just know there is a wealth of experienced individuals on this site - I want to ask for their "referrals" to proven sites before I go entering my card number and make purchases.

Again, all my "knowledge", or lack-there-of, is from a cumulative 4-5 hours research on the internet. If I'm getting a fact twisted or speaking total non-sense, set me straight.

[Marshmalo]

Hi Big thinker, your hairloss looks about the same stage as mine. I've just started Minoxil treatment.

I have heard only good things about online site InHouse Pharmacy. They stock well priced generic drugs, usually produced in India and have Proscar and Finpecia. I only used them very briefly, ordered Finastride but stopped a month afterwards due to sides.

If you order finastride from then you'll know pretty soon whether its real or not as almost every one seems to get some sides initially.

I really wish I could go on Fin again but the sides are just too scary, I don't mean to put you off but you need to accept that you could be one of the unlucky ones that gets permanent sides. I found out today there is even a Post Finasteride Foundation: http://www.pfsfoundation.org/ and alot of people seem to think that %2 is is an underestimate.

[Jairus]

Hi Big thinker, your hairloss looks about the same stage as mine. I've just started Minoxil treatment.

I have heard only good things about online site InHouse Pharmacy. They stock well priced generic drugs, usually produced in India and have Proscar and Finpecia. I only used them very briefly, ordered Finastride but stopped a month afterwards due to sides.

If you order finastride from then you'll know pretty soon whether its real or not as almost every one seems to get some sides initially.

I really wish I could go on Fin again but the sides are just too scary, I don't mean to put you off but you need to accept that you could be one of the unlucky ones that gets permanent sides. I found out today there is even a Post Finasteride Foundation: http://www.pfsfoundation.org/ and alot of people seem to think that %2 is is an underestimate.

Fcuk sake kid I was a week away from pulling the trigger on Fin and now I see this shit. Cant win.

[frankieteardrop]

BigThinker: Query, are you a law student? You certainly write like one.

I too am on the fence about Fin. I've really thought about it, and I just might chance it on the sides if I can stave off losing my hair for another year or two. Right now I'm just weighing my options.
The most intriguing option I've seen thus far is RU. Unfortunately, I'm reluctant to spend /that/ much on something experimental, that will not be continuously available for the complete course of treatment I require.

[rdawg]

Hi Big thinker, your hairloss looks about the same stage as mine. I've just started Minoxil treatment.

I have heard only good things about online site InHouse Pharmacy. They stock well priced generic drugs, usually produced in India and have Proscar and Finpecia. I only used them very briefly, ordered Finastride but stopped a month afterwards due to sides.

If you order finastride from then you'll know pretty soon whether its real or not as almost every one seems to get some sides initially.

I really wish I could go on Fin again but the sides are just too scary, I don't mean to put you off but you need to accept that you could be one of the unlucky ones that gets permanent sides. I found out today there is even a Post Finasteride Foundation: http://www.pfsfoundation.org/ and alot of people seem to think that %2 is is an underestimate.

Well less than 1% of millions is still a few thousand thus you're going to have a vocal minority that thinks many people will get these sides and spreading fear that everyone else is lying when they dont experience permanent or major sides.

I'm going on month 4 with no side effects, same with my brother and many others. There are tonnes of people on here that use FIN and dont have sides, while I can count on my hand the amount that have consistent/permanent side effects from fin and complain about it(well cant say permanent as many have only had the sides for a few month, but definitely persistent.)

It's definitely your choice and it should be taken into consideration that side effects are possible, but there are MANY, MANY things you do in life that have tiny chances of something bad happening, many medications you take that have a 1% chance of rashes, weird headaches etc. but would you seriously not take medication with a 97-99% chance of being perfectly normal after taking it(with maybe a temporary side)? or even a 85-90% chance of not experiencing any at all?

[Jairus]

Well less than 1% of millions is still a few thousand thus you're going to have a vocal minority that thinks many people will get these sides and spreading fear that everyone else is lying when they dont experience permanent or major sides.

I'm going on month 4 with no side effects, same with my brother and many others. There are tonnes of people on here that use FIN and dont have sides, while I can count on my hand the amount that have consistent/permanent side effects from fin and complain about it(well cant say permanent as many have only had the sides for a few month, but definitely persistent.)

It's definitely your choice and it should be taken into consideration that side effects are possible, but there are MANY, MANY things you do in life that have tiny chances of something bad happening, many medications you take that have a 1% chance of rashes, weird headaches etc. but would you seriously not take medication with a 97-99% chance of being perfectly normal after taking it(with maybe a temporary side)? or even a 85-90% chance of not experiencing any at all?

Well I had weighed up the pro's and con's, but then gobshites like this clown come on and post stuff like this right off the bat.

[BGP]

Fcuk sake kid I was a week away from pulling the trigger on Fin and now I see this shit. Cant win.

With no intended offense to anyone who feels they have suffered from finasteride, all I can say to that PFS website is LOL. They really seem to be cashing in on people's fears. I mean the Donate button is right there in front of your face.

Anyway. I'm not a doctor so don't take my words as medical advice, but just look into the studies and make a rational decision. There is no substitute to evidence, and there is nothing more superior in providing that evidence than the scientific process.

You'll find horror stories everywhere about almost anything taken topically or systemically. Example: Many people tout saw palmetto as the natural alternative to finasteride. Now, google 'saw palmetto ruined my life' and see what you get.

I'm on my fifth day of fin.

Best of luck.

[Marshmalo]

I didn't intent to scare anyone just trying to make the OP have all the information and both sides of the argument so he can make an informed decision. If you've decided to take fin there's no point worrying about sides, that can just make you paranoid and make them seem worse.

There's a 1 in 3 chance we will develop cancer in our lifetimes so I guess it's all about perspective but if you do start fin you have to accept you could be in that 2%, that's all I'm saying. There's no need to insult me because I'm not telling you want you want to hear.

[dex89]

Hi Big thinker, your hairloss looks about the same stage as mine. I've just started Minoxil treatment.

I have heard only good things about online site InHouse Pharmacy. They stock well priced generic drugs, usually produced in India and have Proscar and Finpecia. I only used them very briefly, ordered Finastride but stopped a month afterwards due to sides.

If you order finastride from then you'll know pretty soon whether its real or not as almost every one seems to get some sides initially.

I really wish I could go on Fin again but the sides are just too scary, I don't mean to put you off but you need to accept that you could be one of the unlucky ones that gets permanent sides. I found out today there is even a Post Finasteride Foundation: http://www.pfsfoundation.org/ and alot of people seem to think that %2 is is an underestimate.

At least we know inhouse is legit and I thank you for that. Have you tried taking a lower dosage then what you were taking before? I had the side effects but only for 3 months, I still manage to have intercourse by manually working it out and dirty thoughts. Horny goat weed also helps tremendously. OP, get on proscar, it's a risk you should take, minoxidil foam is also available now and it's a lot more cheaper then rogaine foam.

[chrisis]

I remember being in this position and thinking the risks of even temporary sides was small. And permanent? Oh like 99% improbable.

6 months later I am still trying to get back to normal.

There is a real risk. Start with minoxidil. Then go on Propecia if you're ok with the real chance of losing libido and penis sensitivity, potentially for good. I'd exercise extra caution if you're younger and have minor hair loss.