Raj05

Hi,

I used finpecia 3 yrs back. I experieced great results back then with no side effects at all. However from past 2 months,  I have started to use finpecia again since I was loosing massive amt of hair due to stress I guess and minoxidl was of no effect. It was just causing more dandruff and every morning my head seemed a bit heavy.
Now, I'm expericing massive side effects and I can see my semen turn watery and I dont see volume or the thickness in my semen which has shocked me since I never observed any side effects earlier.
Maybe age can be a reason, I'm 32 now ..3 -4 yrs back I guess I was much stronger and had  less stress so had no side effects with Finpecia.

I'm in confused state of mind. I'm off it and scared to take it now. I need advise what can I do to improve my condition? How to stop my hairfall? How to increase hair density? How to get back my libido

I need some help. Pls let me know abt any vitamin, hair care routines which I must follow to increase my hair density. I'm in shock since I thought Finpecia would not cause any side effects to me.  I hope its reversible- the side effects and i get back my strength. Pls need advise of senior members

Hello All,

Initially, I did use Finpecia, it was good & did help me to stop my hairloss to a certain degree. But after reading so much negative news, I did stop it for close to 3 years. As of now I use only minoxidl. Off late, I've realized I'm losing lot of hair & Minoxidl without Finpecia is of no use.

I'm thinking to get back on Finpecia.  Is it safe to use?   I'm not able to take a decision since I'm worried about side effects. I understand each person reacts differently to drugs.

My doctor has not been helpful too & gave me a very casual reply  - Take it till you don't see any side effects. I would like to take senior members opinion here. Will it been fine getting back on Finpecia. I did experience very mild side effects but nothing threatening.  I'm about to get married in next 3 months so was thinking to hold off but then I'm losing so much hair that I feel if I don't act now, I might lose even more hair. Pls do advice.  

I have a similar question. This is my 4th week on Finpecia. I used minoxidil initially for 1 week but later on quit as it is quite messy and made my hair look even more thin.

Off late I have observed my frontal hair line is thinning and I believe the initial shed has started. My question is-

1) Do I start Minoxidil at this moment when the initial shed due to propecia has begin. I know it would be tough on me since the shed would be on the higher side owing to use of both Propecia and Minoxidil.

2) Secondly, does Minoxidil causes shedding of native hair (hair that is not affected by DHT) or it affects only the sick miniaturized hair due to DHT.

Hi Future_HT_Doc,

just to summarize

a) On both Propecia and minoxidil the shed is how long?

b) On propecia alone the shed is how long?

c) On minoxidil alone the shed is how long?

In all the three above cases when can I expect re growth? and how many strands of hair fall on average?

Does minoxidil and Propecia combined use causes a longer shedding period? Propecia causes upto 3-4 months shedding period but If I use minodil will the shedding period increase.

Hi Raj,

 

From what I can tell, the average "shed" usually lasts around 3-4 months. Additionally, keep in mind that you should really utilize the medication for at least 6 months before assessing any results, and stopping the medication will reverse any progress and restart the progressive balding process.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Hi Future_HT_Doc,

Right now I am losing considerable amount of hair so 3-4 months sounds very scary. Just don't know whether to stop ,continue, quit, talk to my doctor or reduce the dosage?

What kind of results can I see after this shed period? Will my sick hair which fell in the shed period grow back and become thick ?

Also there are times when the minoxidil (Tugain Foam) spreads to the regular hair(unaffected by DHT) then does the Regular normal hair fall off. I am bit confused and what's the shedding period for minoxidil? similar like Finpecia

Is there an FAQ section in this site on propecia, minoxidil drug results, side effects, shed period, etc. Makes it easy for newbies like us.

Hello,

I have been 3 weeks on Finpecia(propecia) and off late i have observed my frontal hair line is thinning out and making me very anxious. I am not sure its a seasonal shed or due to finpecia.

either way just wanted to ask how long does this shed last ? when would it stop and how can I identify whether its a seasonal shed or just due to propecia? Any ideas/pointers to identify.

I used to just apply it to the area until it's wet, then maybe a little bit of massaging. All the rubbing does is make it dry faster. That is why I take the minoxidil tablet. Much less hassle!

Hello I am 26 years old male , NW 4 scale patient .Can you please tell me what is the advantage of Tablet over the foam? Is it safe as compared to Foam? why do doctors or this website doesn't recommend Oral minoxidil pill??

me personally would like to try the tablet as the foam is pain to me. It makes my hair look and feel a bit sticky. I feel it makes my head look even more bald. Hence i apply it only once in night and don't want to apply it in morning- Don't want my office colleagues to focus on my crown first thing in the morning.

Also I comb my hair after applying minoxidil (30 min after applying)and in that way the foam might spread to other parts of my hair and cause unwanted shedding as you mentioned in few threads.-Is it true???

So far so good- No side effects with Finpecia (generic form of propecia ) although applying Tugain foam is a pain . I feel to apply it in night only, morning I feel it messes my hair, I cant style my hair and hair looks less than its actual and there is sticky kind of feeling in my hand and hair both.

Do you know any kind of tablet that would substitude for minoxidl?

David,

My doctor advised me to take Finpecia early morning as soon as I wake up. He said testosterone levels are quite high in morning so If I take the pill/tablet there would be less possibility of testosterone mixing with 5 AR to produce DHT??

Is that true?

Also, can I use mixodil on my temple, frontal area? I find my foam (Tugain 5 %) absorbs quickly in the crown area but in front it doesn't absorb that quickly (takes and hour )

I have been a week on Finpecia and the very first thought that came across my mind was similar to yours - how can such a small tablet cause so much havoc?

Although, I hope the permanent side effects article on propecia turns out to be false. I am closely observing that thread. Hope the senior members/doctors can come out with some kind of final verdict on the article.

Propecia and Finpecia are both finasteride. However, my family doctor (who prescribes Propecia for me) told me that the delivery method of a drug can affect how well it works. Propecia (Merck) has a specific shell which holds the finasteride. He said if I were to divide Proscar into fourths or use a generic form of Propecia (like Finpecia) to save money, I may find that they are not as effective as Merck's Propecia has been for me.

 

I stress the word "may" here. Everyone responds to meds and their respective delivery methods differently. Personally, I didn't want to take the chance even though my wallet was begging me to do so. Bottom line, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Now, if you've never taken finasteride before, then I don't see any problem starting with a generic to see how that works for you.

 

 

 

No one can answer this question for you. You have to decide if your hair loss bothers you enough to take the risk.

 

You'll be comforted to know that the majority of men taking finasteride do not experience severe or permanent problems. Some of the more commonly reported side effects are decreased or "watery" ejaculate, decreased libido and erection problems. Minor side effects usually resolve themselves while continuing the meds. All sides usually resolve completely for men who discontinue the drug.

 

There does appear to be a smaller group of users who are developing side effects that do not resolve after discontinuation. Unfortunately, you cannot know whether you'll fall into that category until after you've started the finasteride. So, again, it's a risk.

 

I've taken propecia daily for 13+ years. You may be interested to read about the results of a series of medical tests I had done recently to see if propecia has been affecting me on levels not easily observed: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/163746-those-considering-starting-finasteride-therapy.html Your results may vary.

 

 

 

I have little-to-no experience with minoxidil. Regarding propecia, it is a life-long commitment or at least for as long as the drug keeps working for you. Finasteride is most effective at the crown and mid-scalp; less so at the hairline/temple areas. In my experience, it has been more about preservation as opposed to a reversal.

 

Good luck,

 

Z

A big thank you for your reply and the weblink.

Does a shampoo really helps to combat hair loss. If no then why do doctors recommend shampoo's like anaphase/ trigaine/nizoral when a normal shampoo should be fine to clean the scalp.

Hello,

I am 26 yrs old indian male, new to this forum and a long time sufferer of hair loss(5+ years). I have had a receding hair line all these years but it's only in these last 2 years that I have noticed my crown has few miniturized hair and some beautiful bald spots. I visted two dermatologist and in that one of them told me I was NW 4 scale patient. I have 3 questions to ask. Hope to get the answers

Question 1: I visted two different doctors and they gave me two different prescription(mentioned below) so I am not sure which one to follow?Also what is the difference between Propecia and Finpecia?

Doctor 1: Prohair(Propecia), Tugain 5% foam (Minoxidl), Shampoo- Trigaine shampoo

Doctor 2: Finpecia, Tugain 5 % foam(Minoxidl), Shampoo- Anaphase

Question 2: I am still confused to take propecia or not? Is it worth the risk with all the negtaive opinions going around. I am hopelessly confused. Need some strong advice here. Dont know why but my mind is clouded with so many negative opinions about the pill that I am finding it difficult to convince my mind.

Question 3: Given a choice, I don't want to apply minoxidl since I would have to use it for life long. So if I take only propecia- do i need to take it life long or only couple of years and what sort of results can I get/expect with propecia?

Lot of members might have had these questions in their mind when they started out with these drugs. Hope I find my answers from the experienced folks out here.

Apologies if some of these questions have been already answered before, I am new to the forum and its a bit overwhelming to read all these post about cause of hairfall/treatment/HT/patient websites, experiences etc. Need time to read and absorb the information on this wonderful site.

I have the same problem. I consulted 2 dermatologist for my Hair loss problem.

One suggested me to go for Propecia and the other Finpecia. Not sure which doctor to follow. Also the first doctor suggested Trigaine shampoo and the second Anaphase shampoo. All of a sudden I am confused which prescription to follow?