Is it possible to have a misdiagnosis from a scalp biopsy?
It depends upon what the biopsy is for. If it is for classic male pattern balding, then the answer is yes. If it is for cancer or other real pathology, there are always human variables that relate to skills and specialization.
I was wondering if you have your hair dyed (darker shade), would minoxidil affect the hair coloring. I know some people say dandruff shampoos affect hair that has been dyed. I already use Propecia, but I was told that maybe a combination of Propecia and Rogaine (minoxidil) might help more. The problem was that the minoxidil generic liquid (i’ve seen you say the Rogaine foam may be less irritating), it seems to cause itching (have been losing some hair from it “shedding”, i guess, but hasn’t been a full two months, as you stated sometimes may last, ie. “shedding” from minox). I’ve already been on Propecia for over a year, but thought would try minoxidil again, but the itching makes wish to use anti-itch dandruff shampoos (but I swear they alter the dyed hair color, and tend to make it more orange, lol, like Brad Pitt’s),to be one of the largest databases and referrence sites, you’re a geni I thought maybe if I tried the minox again without the dandruff shampoo (since scalp already dry) and maybe a more oil-based conditioner might help dryness itching. Also besides whether the minox alters dyed hair color, I was wondering if the itching itself was bad (it is not severe itching and tolerable), would just having mild itching be enough irritation in itself to cause hair loss? Both me and Brad Pitt would like an answer to these questions if possible, lol, couldn’t find anywhere on internet mention of hair dye color affected by minoxidil.
Well thanks for any info or help, this site is great, you’re a saint, I’m sure eventually this is going us!
Your question is a bit confusing, so I’ll break my answer down into a few key points –
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Hi Dr. Rassman,
I started taking 1.25mg of finasteride last week and I have to say up to now there do not seem to be any sexual side effects. The only thing which concerns me a little bit is this slight burning sensation in my groin area, I think its in the prostate area. Is this a common side effect showing that the drug is working? Should this go away after a while?
Your advice would be quite helpful cause there are a lot of bad publicity out there for Propecia and I wanted a more balanced opinion. Thanks!
Please keep in mind that not all sexual dysfunction should be linked with finasteride use. You may have a preexisting medical condition that you are only noticing now that you are more focused on the issue. I have read some rare reports on testicular pain with taking Propecia, but the association is tenuous.
Interesting facts:
My advice would be for you to discuss these issues with the doctor that prescribed you the medication and have a good physical exam.
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hi. i took propecia for about 1-2 months. I suffered from a loss of libido and stopped taking it during the end of May. Its now mid August and my libido has not returned. Do I need to wait longer?
Propecia (finasteride 1mg) has a very short half life (about 4 hours), which means it would be almost completely out of your blood stream in one day. There are reported tissue binding that occurs, but that should be gone in a week or so.
Sexual side effects (decreased sex drive) associated with Propecia are relatively exaggerated and it occurs only in about 1% of men. If you continue to experience negative sexual effects after of month of discontinuing Propecia you should consider other underlying medical problems. Keep in mind that erectile dysfunction is a largely underappreciated and unreported medical condition.
Erectile dysfunction statistics:
Stats source: MMHC – Facts About Erectile Dysfunction
Hi,
I am a keen reader of your blog. I’m 20 years old (male), there is no balding in either my father/mother, or their father’s/mothers.
However, from early puberty, the corners of my hairline have “matured”, but a little too far for my liking. I understand that your general rule is not to perform surgery on young patients, however… if you are satisfied that there would be no further progression, would you “fill in” a young person’s hairline? .5-.75″ and also possibly lower the actual hairline down a small amount?
I know I’m in the UK and your offices are in the US, but I’ve not yet found what looks like a reliable, trust worthy, honest hair transplant surgery in this country! Approximately how many grafts/hours/sessions etc would the process take? I can e-mail pictures if required.
Thank you.
It is understandable that you do not like your current hairline, but even with no evident balding in your family, you may have genetic male pattern balding. It is difficult to tell how bald you may or may not be at such a young age. At the least, you need a miniaturization study, a good history, and exam — and then develop a good Master Plan for the future management of your hair loss.
There are doctors who are willing to transplant hair in patients who are in their early twenties with only slight balding or recession. However, I am cautiously resistant to the idea of lowering your hairline at this point, because I do not know if you will bald further as you get older. With that said, a hair transplant may accelerate balding and cause you to lose more hair, leaving you in a worse position than you are currently at. I would wait for perhaps at least about 5 more years before considering a hair transplant.
For more about the mature hairline, please see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature.
Hi,
I have read confilicting information regarding DHEA supplements and Hair Loss.
- Can DHEA increase hair loss?
- Is this due to DHEA converting to Androstenedione then this converting to Testosterone and then on to DHT which causes the hair loss?
- Does DHEA cause direct problems to the hair follicles like DHT does?
- If you were to take a 5 alpha Reductase inhibitor like Finasteride would this help with any potential hair loss problems associated with taking DHEA? and if so would it be because it blocked the Testosterone (converted from the Androstenedione converted from the DHEA) from converting to DHT?
Thanks for your help
I just did a hair transplant procedure and I have been asked to sleep at a 45 degree angle with 3 pillows in order to prevent swelling. This is supposed to help the fluids drain. However, I find that this causes me to sleep with my head tilted forward. Will this cause stretching of the scar?
I know that I am not supposed to play sports or lift weights for several weeks (by the way how long before I can lift again?) because this can stretch the scar also. But wouldnt sleeping with my head tilted back be better? I am just concerned that sleeping with my head tilted forward would put additional strain on the donor scar.
You should be asking this question to your doctor. The instructions given to you post-op are relatively standard instructions. With respect to the stretching of your donor wound, some stretch is unavoidable. Head positioning after a hair transplant is less important after 3 days, as swelling is less of a problem.
My question is about taking finasteride while taking an SSRI (Zoloft to be exact). Is there any interaction between these two medications that should be of any concern? I have been using Rogaine foam for a few months will little success (my problem is balding/thinning on the crown); and from everything I’m reading finasteride is a better, more effective option for the hair loss I am experiencing. I’m taking 50mg of zoloft daily, but for only 2 months now, for anxiety – the hair loss was going on way before. I am 38, and think what I am experiencing is somewhat normal for my age based on everyone else I know (who is my age), but if I can stop it that would be great. Thanks
As far as I am aware, Propecia (finasteride) does not have any interaction with other medications (including Zoloft). I do not know what you are experiencing and what type of hair loss you have. You should see a doctor if hair loss continues to be a problem and have a baseline miniaturization study to objectively document the progression of your treatment. There are rare reports of depression and mood alterations with Propecia so how this medicaion interacts with Zoloft is beyond my expertise. Discuss this with your prescribing doctor.
i am a 26 y.o. white male. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet and have no known health problems. I am embarassed by the unusual growth pattern of leg hair over the past 10 years. I have extremely hairy knees but almost no hair on my calves or shins. The skin on my calves is also very pale and thin and I am developing age spots. I totally avoid the sun in this area. Is there any way to improve this condition (with diet , medication, etc)and what may be the cause? I have no other symptoms. I would like to improve the skin on my legs at the very least.
I am sorry that I can’t offer much help, but that is just the way you are. You can try Rogaine (minoxidil) on your shins if you want to grow hair there, as it may work. On the bright side, at least you don’t have hairy palms.
Dr. Rassman, first off, just wanted to thank you for making your skills, experience and educated opinions available to everyone around the world through such a fantastic site.
Quick question: is it better to take Propecia along with a meal or to take it on an empty stomach followed by a normal meal about 2 hours later (from an absorption point of view)?
Thanks again!
Take it any time with or without meals… whatever it takes for you to remember to take it every day. Some doctors recommend taking it in the morning when the testosterone level is the highest and I like that recommendation personally, as that is what I do.
