yesplease

Yes, I’m well aware. And I’ve scrutinized all the studies on fin for MPB. Sexual arousal and erectile function are both a complex mixture of physiology and psychology. Placebo and nocebo effects are both very real phenomena in general. That said, this does not invalidate the occurrence of all adverse effects. Additionally, certain side effects such as genital pain and loss of nocturnal erections (morning wood) are largely independent of a possible psychological impact and cannot be adequately explained by the nocebo effect. Blanketed statements (it’s all nonsense or it works great for everyone) are rarely if ever accurate in medicine. There is a great deal of variability from one person to the next in terms of physiology. Finally, I will also add that any study that presents data dependent upon patient reporting (eg the patient telling the investigators how their sexual function has been) is invariably influenced by some degree of bias. There is a great deal of shame and embarrassment associated with ED, and the possibility that a significant number of people may not be forthright or are in denial about their ED, diminished libido etc is something to consider. I’m not here to argue and I respect your personal opinion. Just some food for thought. Always good to keep an open mind. I’m assuming that fin has worked well for you and I’m glad to know that. Wish that were the case for me.

This is great. Very happy for you and it’s important for people reading this forum to hear everyone’s different experiences. I think we all just need to recognize that one person’s experience does not equate to nor invalidate another’s.

While you are certainly entitled to you opinion, to say that sexual side effects can’t be long-term or permanent because hair loss continues once you stop finasteride is medically unsound logic. The endocrine system is incredibly complex and far reaching within the human body, and hormones have vastly different effects on different aspects of physiology. Because one effect “resolves” does not equate to all potential other impacts returning to baseline in the same manner. I certainly suffered from side effects, and it was quite clearly related to the medication. I am a physician and took it fully expecting to be side-effect free, given the track record of finasteride in the treatment of BPH as well as the available literature and data in regards to its use in treating MPB. These side effects have improved but not fully resolved. To be sure, it is a medication that is tolerated well by most, but poses very real risks (of varying degrees) to a minority.

Nice improvement from the front! Great top-down views provided for the preop and graft placement pics. Would be fair to have top-down views for the “after” shots as well.

Looks very promising indeed. Thanks for the write-up, looking forward to your progress! are you on minox or fin? best of luck

Hey there. Wondering if you created your own thread about your procedure. Would love to see it, as I’m considering FUT with Konior as well. Thanks for considering.

While diminished libido and ED can both be complex and multi-factorial, testicular pain is difficult to attribute to a psychosomatic process. I know for me, I fully expected to have no side effects. And the testicular pain/ache was certainly real and in retrospect a likely indicator that the drug was impacting my sexual health.

I hear you. I tried as low as 0.25 eod and it was ultimately still an issue. I understand really wanting to make it work. And it’s been hard for me to watch my MPB progress since I stopped fin. But it’s just not worth it. Sexual health > hair.

I would advise you not to continue. You’re having sexual side effects. Why persist? I speak from experience. I had similar symptoms when I tried fin at various doses/schedules. I continued for longer than I should have, and struggled with side effects for a long time after stopping, and never fully returned to baseline. You’re body is trying to tell you something. Listen to it.

Hey man, any updates to share? Hope all so well!

Two Year Update??

I have never shaved my head. Until about 6 or so years ago, I always had a very thick head of hair, albeit a mature hairline NW2-3, which I didn’t mind. And I’ve always styled it on the longer side. So having a shaved head would be a radical departure from what my preferred look is and what people associate me with. It’s tough to build up the initiative to do it, although I agree with you that it is something I should try. unfortunately I began diffusing and thinning around that time such that my pattern has revealed itself. I’m 43 now.

Agree re minox, but it’s all there is (for me) and better than nothing. Definitely won’t do a hair system.

If you could look into the future and knew this would be your final destination in terms of hair loss, would you proceed with an HT? What would be a reasonable expectation in terms of results over time? I will start my own thread soon, but basically I am now reaching a crossroads as to whether I want to pull the trigger on a hair transplant or shave down and move on. These are photos of my father’s hair, he’s in his 70s. While my family history of MPB is mixed, I am fairly certain that this pattern is close to where I’m headed. I don't think it will be any worse than this, as his loss was more aggressive at a younger age, his brothers have more hair than he does, and all of the men on the maternal side of my family have amazing, full heads of hair. So I feel fairly secure in assuming that this would be my “floor” in terms of MPB. A high NW but with pretty dense, slightly wavy donor hair, no retrograde thinning (my father and I also have very similar hair characteristics and donor density). Curious as to people’s opinions on what would be a reasonable expectation of the HT route over the long haul given this donor/hair. I’m not on fin due to having experienced side effects in the past. Using topical minoxidil only.

Wow, that frontal 1/3 work is looking amazing. I know you previously mentioned that you thought the hairline design was too conservative …. I disagree. It looks great and will serve you well. Any current shots of the crown that you’re comfortable sharing? Always curious to see how a thinning crown shakes out with a frontal HT, as that will likely be my situation if I ever proceed with one. best for luck

Also, any idea what the breakdown was for graft placement ? How many in frontal third vs midscalp va crown you achieved pretty amazing crown coverage.

Whoa, what a game changer for you! Congrats! everything still going well with the fin? also, any chance you have a pic of what the scar looks like now? Given that you’ve had two FUTs

Excellent! Any discernible sides or issues with the topical dut? And does the solution include min as well?

Looking great. You didn’t get any actual work done on the mid-scalp or crown, correct? So do you think the improvement there is due to the topical solution you are using? Or just a styling affect?

Work looks good! Now just the waiting game. Given your emerging advanced NW pattern, was any thought given to starting with FUT in order to maximize donor capacity and have more grafts to tackle the mid scalp and crown down the road? also, I saw that you said your MPB accelerated in your early 30s, but missed your current age?

Looks great! Good for you. Would be interesting to see a top-down perspective.

I see, that's awesome that it seems to be working for you but no sides. So, you aren't taking any oral fin or dut, then? Did you have sides with oral meds before, and that's why you're using a topical solution now? Or you just skipped the oral meds and went straight to topical? Thanks for sharing.

Looks great, congrats! Any “before” photos that show your hair before it was shaved down for the operation?

Amazing result. Congrats! wondering if you’ve been able to see any results from the topical fin, and whether you’ve noticed any side effects at all?

Great result. About as perfect of an HT candidate as you can find.