I have Finasteride Sides, should probably stop and had a FUE previously

[davidn]

Hey together,

I unfortunately am in a pretty stupid situation. The thing is that I have had a hair transplant at 22 after I already had quite a good amount of hair loss. I was on Finasteride 1mg for approximately one year when I did the procedure and 2 years after the procedue.  I had 4000 Grafts done via FUE. I am 25 now and off the Finasteride for 2,5 months, but with small intervals of trying different dosages or topical Finasteride within these 2.5 months.  I was never really sexually active before the transplant and did not realise that I actually had softer erections on the Finasteride, which are not hard enough for sexual intercourse. It was not Placebo, after it happened the first time, I thought it is just inexperience, but when it happened over and over again, it was hard to deny that it was probably the Finasteride. So I got off the Finasteride and things got better. I have also tried to reduce the dosage and to try it topically, but I feel the same with each of these attempts. However, now I have already done a transplant, so I am not exactly sure how to proceed from here. Will I look freakish if I just accept the hair loss of the non-transplanted hair or would it look relatively normal? Can I still somehow avoid a disaster without taking Finasteride? I am asking because my goal isn't necessarily to have great hair anymore, but to look like a normal bald dude would be enough for me, without weird looking grafts in my hair line and a very noticeable scarring in my donor. I wanna avoid a disaster. I actually think the hair transplant clinic did a really good job, but I did not realize that my erections aren't as they should be. I currently do not really know how to proceed, I obiously need to find a solution to my erection problem, and also would like to avoid looking like a freak in a year or so. I really appreciate your help, I do not really find a solution for my problem right now.

Edited November 10, 2021 by davidn
added information

[Gokuhairline]

no amount of hair is worth any side effects specially sexual side effects....good luck, hope it gets better. 

[davidn]

1 minute ago, Gokuhairline said:

no amount of hair is worth any side effects specially sexual side effects....good luck, hope it gets better. 

thanks for your answer. However, do you think I would look totally freakish if the balding continues? I am really scared of looking disastrous.

[JDEE0]

I don't mean this in a rude way or anything, more out of curiosity, but you never noticed for years on end that you couldn't get hard enough to even have sex? I could understand if someone felt that maybe they were 5-10% less than they used to be or something, but how do you not notice you can only achieve a semi for such a long time?Surely when you began using fin, at some point you realised you were flying essentially at half mast?

Anyways, if you've tried *low dose* topical and you're still having trouble, then yeah just quit. You won't look freakish if the work was good, no. You might look like you're just balding mostly in the crown and midscalp or you might look like you have a bit of a weird balding pattern, but it shouldn't look weird really if you went to a good surgeon.

Either way, if you can't get it up then you should obviously just stop and worry about the rest later, that's most important here. There's always SMP, further transplants without meds if viable, keeping what you have for now and seeing how you get on, or just shaving it short and leaving it alone.

[Gokuhairline]

i dont understand ? just shave it all and look like a normal bald person..why would you look freakishly unless theres scars ? 

[Britanium]

Speak to your own Dr/Gp regarding the issue. Ok so yes it could be the Fin most likely but it’s good to be sure ! Definitely worth stopping though if it’s related in any way. 

[davidn]

3 minutes ago, Gokuhairline said:

i dont understand ? just shave it all and look like a normal bald person..why would you look freakishly unless theres scars ? 

because there is scars in the back from 4000 fue grafts. for instance, this dude here does not look like a normal bald person imho: https://www.google.com/search?q=benedikt+höwedes&sxsrf=AOaemvIM9-fb-sis01rWu7II72Z36G_SYA:1636560582867&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigp8ehl470AhX6g_0HHRS6AX0Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=2304&bih=1130&dpr=0.83#imgrc=m7dtyLJiJdtgxM

[Britanium]

You can always look in to SMP if you want to enhance your hair ? But you won’t look “freakish” regardless. The 4K worth of grafts is going to be ok. Just the rest of your native hair may continue to go down the MPB route. Maybe consider another ht somewhere down the line ? 

[davidn]

5 minutes ago, JDEE0 said:

I don't mean this in a rude way or anything, more out of curiosity, but you never noticed for years on end that you couldn't get hard enough to even have sex? I could understand if someone felt that maybe they were 5-10% less than they used to be or something, but how do you not notice you can only achieve a semi for such a long time?Surely when you began using fin, at some point you realised you were flying essentially at half mast?

Anyways, if you've tried *low dose* topical and you're still having trouble, then yeah just quit. You won't look freakish if the work was good, no. You might look like you're just balding mostly in the crown and midscalp or you might look like you have a bit of a weird balding pattern, but it shouldn't look weird really if you went to a good surgeon.

Either way, if you can't get it up then you should obviously just stop and worry about the rest later, that's most important here. There's always SMP, further transplants without meds if viable, keeping what you have for now and seeing how you get on, or just shaving it short and leaving it alone.

I know what you mean. Seems odd. The thing is that I didnt really get what erectile dysfunction actually is, I mean I could still do it to myself and come, you do not have to be fully hard to do that. So I was basically at 70% or something. I basically thought "if I can get him up, it seems to work!" and as I said, I did not have any reference for sex until this point.

[davidn]

3 minutes ago, JC71 said:

You can always look in to SMP if you want to enhance your hair ? But you won’t look “freakish” regardless. The 4K worth of grafts is going to be ok. Just the rest of your native hair may continue to go down the MPB route. Maybe consider another ht somewhere down the line ? 

yeah exactly, but would it look super unnatural if there is hair growing at the front and the second third of the head, but no hair at all at the crown and the mid scalp? Like a sudden stoppage of hair? Anyway, thanks a lot for your answers man. Really appreciate it. 

[Berba11]

25 minutes ago, davidn said:

nd did not realise that I actually had softer erections on the Finasteride

For three years?? I get that you weren't sexually active (with a partner), but had you really gone all that time without noticing this?

A friend of mine (and I actually do mean a mate - I'm not talking about me here!) struggles to get wood with his partner(s) but has no problem by himself. It's clearly some sort of psychological barrier as there's nothing wrong with the plumbing. Gets by fine on viagra and has done since his early 20's (which sounds mad to me, but needs must and all that...).

You may well be completely correct, but it does somewhat seem like the issue might be misdiagnosed here?

[Britanium]

1 minute ago, davidn said:

yeah exactly, but would it look super unnatural if there is hair growing at the front and the second third of the head, but no hair at all at the crown and the mid scalp? Like a sudden stoppage of hair? Anyway, thanks a lot for your answers man. Really appreciate it. 

No, we see it often. A lot of people concentrate on having hair up front and then less on the crown. Be interesting to see your hair when it’s grown out/at is usual length. 

[digi23]

You looked to be heading towards Norwood 5? Do you have some photos before transplant and on donor area. Usually if you got a decent enough donor, and norwood 5 you dont need to take meds and still get away with decent hair. Norwood 6+ its a little more difficult, then you would need a really good donor.

[davidn]

 

6 minutes ago, JC71 said:

You can always look in to SMP if you want to enhance your hair ? But you won’t look “freakish” regardless. The 4K worth of grafts is going to be ok. Just the rest of your native hair may continue to go down the MPB route. Maybe consider another ht somewhere down the line ? 

for instance lok at this guy: https://www.google.com/search?q=benedikt+höwedes&sxsrf=AOaemvIM9-fb-sis01rWu7II72Z36G_SYA:1636560582867&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigp8ehl470AhX6g_0HHRS6AX0Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=2304&bih=1130&dpr=0.83#imgrc=vPqFPiYXKtY0BM

I think he looks a bit odd. Something is not right. I do not think that the average person would immediately think that it is a failed hair transplant, but I do not think it looks like a normal buzzed head too. You know what I mean? I think that the hair line comes out too much. Do you think it would look approximately like that for me?

[hairman22]

your hairline is very high.

yo may have enough grafts in the future for your hair loss particurly with BHT.

 

your not in as bad position as you  think.

[Britanium]

@Berba11Agreed, it’s definitely not a clear “Fin” issue here. Definitely needs to be medically investigated. 

[digi23]

Do you have some photos of pre-surgery, donor area before surgery, donor area now, and also how your hair looks at the moment? Good photos, not some blurry ones in bad lighting.

[davidn]

4 minutes ago, Berba11 said:

For three years?? I get that you weren't sexually active (with a partner), but had you really gone all that time without noticing this?

A friend of mine (and I actually do mean a mate - I'm not talking about me here!) struggles to get wood with his partner(s) but has no problem by himself. It's clearly some sort of psychological barrier as there's nothing wrong with the plumbing. Gets by fine on viagra and has done since his early 20's (which sounds mad to me, but needs must and all that...).

You may well be completely correct, but it does somewhat seem like the issue might be misdiagnosed here?

nah man. I guess I was just in denial to be honest. I consider taking something like Vialis now, but I am not sure what to do to be honest, looking for advice.

[Berba11]

6 minutes ago, davidn said:

 

for instance lok at this guy: https://www.google.com/search?q=benedikt+höwedes&sxsrf=AOaemvIM9-fb-sis01rWu7II72Z36G_SYA:1636560582867&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigp8ehl470AhX6g_0HHRS6AX0Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=2304&bih=1130&dpr=0.83#imgrc=vPqFPiYXKtY0BM

I think he looks a bit odd. Something is not right. I do not think that the average person would immediately think that it is a failed hair transplant, but I do not think it looks like a normal buzzed head too. You know what I mean? I think that the hair line comes out too much. Do you think it would look approximately like that for me?

He looks totally normal. Here he is again with a very, very short buzz: https://www.alamy.com/munich-germany-27th-july-2021-benedikt-hwedes-commentator-takes-part-in-a-press-conference-of-amazon-prime-video-amazon-will-show-champions-league-matches-from-the-202122-season-on-its-paid-streaming-service-the-online-giant-will-show-the-respective-top-match-on-tuesday-evening-credit-sven-hoppedpaalamy-live-news-image436298817.html

 

Look, you went under the knife. There's ALWAYS going to be some level of compromise somewhere along the journey. You're not going to look like a freak by any means though!

Your best bet moving forward is a DHT blocker, but obviously you need to find a way to circumvent the [possible] side effects. You mentioned you tried lower dosage/topical. Can you explain in more detail what you were doing exactly?

[davidn]

5 minutes ago, digi23 said:

You looked to be heading towards Norwood 5? Do you have some photos before transplant and on donor area. Usually if you got a decent enough donor, and norwood 5 you dont need to take meds and still get away with decent hair. Norwood 6+ its a little more difficult, then you would need a really good donor.

.

[Britanium]

Yup any of transplanted guys are not going to look our best when shaved right down. If you do happen to like keeping it short then SMP can really help. 
However finding the “sweet spot” of hair growth is key. 

[digi23]

2 minutes ago, davidn said:

.

Its not really a good photo to see but donor looks good on that.

Need photos of all areas, the area with loss aswell to asess which Norwood level

[davidn]

3 minutes ago, Berba11 said:

He looks totally normal. Here he is again with a very, very short buzz: https://www.alamy.com/munich-germany-27th-july-2021-benedikt-hwedes-commentator-takes-part-in-a-press-conference-of-amazon-prime-video-amazon-will-show-champions-league-matches-from-the-202122-season-on-its-paid-streaming-service-the-online-giant-will-show-the-respective-top-match-on-tuesday-evening-credit-sven-hoppedpaalamy-live-news-image436298817.html

 

Look, you went under the knife. There's ALWAYS going to be some level of compromise somewhere along the journey. You're not going to look like a freak by any means though!

Your best bet moving forward is a DHT blocker, but obviously you need to find a way to circumvent the [possible] side effects. You mentioned you tried lower dosage/topical. Can you explain in more detail what you were doing exactly?

thanks man. I think I am seeing everything too dramatic right now, I basically think that my life is destroyed right now and I feel a bit stuck between looking freakish and risking my health.. Yeah he looks decent, but I still see a difference to a normal buzzcut. Maybe I am too harsh. Regarding the DHT: First I have tried oral Finasteride 0.25mg, then I have ordered 0.2% topical Finasteride solution from Minoxidilmaxx and applied 0.025 ml of it.

[davidn]

2 minutes ago, digi23 said:

Its not really a good photo to see but donor looks good on that.

Need photos of all areas, the area with loss aswell to asess which Norwood level

yeah sry. Why do you need these photos? I am heavily balding in the crown right now, that's it.

[Berba11]

1 minute ago, davidn said:

thanks man. I think I am seeing everything too dramatic right now, I basically think that my life is destroyed right now and I feel a bit stuck between looking freakish and risking my health.. Yeah he looks decent, but I still see a difference to a normal buzzcut. Maybe I am too harsh. Regarding the DHT: First I have tried oral Finasteride 0.25mg, then I have ordered 0.2% topical Finasteride solution from Minoxidilmaxx and applied 0.025 ml of it.

And how frequently were you applying and/or taking the lower dose? And were you taking them at the same time or you tried one, stopped, then tried the other? And for how long did you try these?

You’re definitely being dramatic! You may or may not lose additional hair in the future. And you may be able to get additional HT’s without issue. In fact, the only real issue is whether your donor stays healthy and where the lateral humps dip or not. 
 

if the donor is decent and the humps stay reasonably sturdy then another one or two *conservative* surgeries for your mid scalp & crown (when needed!) may be perfectly viable. You wouldn’t need great density either, just enough to make the transition from the frontal third to the rest of the scalp more seamless & provide a more even distribution of coverage. Not need to panic here.