While I agree that arguments and points of view (both sides) can become exaggerated on the internet, in my opinion, there's little doubting the veracity of people laying bare the horrific details of their own sad experiences......
E18: Jay Slattery's Story 06/11 by PFS Global Support | Health Podcasts
plenty more stories on their playlists there. I realise that this is only the anti-finasteride side of the argument, but we can't really expect Merck to sponsor a platform for these voices to be heard.
I'm in similar position and would presently be leaning against meds. It's not as simple either to just "try" them. There are more than a few accounts out there of people "trying" the drug then coming off it years later without even having suffered symptoms and then developing side-effects after having quit the drug that haven't left them years later.
On the other hand, some people claim to have suffered sides which then subsided while they persisted taking the drug. It's risky and there's just no knowing. I'd be very interested to know of any studies being carried out to test and predict who may or may not react positively?
***sorry here's link meant to post before..... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pfsglobal
and check out the comments under this promo clip......
....in particular that of Andrew Rynne, a well known doctor in Ireland and the interviewee for episode #15 in the pfsglobal radio link above.