Dr. Rassman,
I’m wondering why you seem to insist upon young men trying Propecia first before pursuing a hair transplant. What with the possible side effects and the need to continually take it, a miniturization examination and possible transplant seem a far safer – and even cost effective – plan in the end.
As a doctor, I do what is appropriate for all my patients, not for my bank account. If you do not need a hair transplant surgery and may benefit more from taking a simple daily pill, that is the best for the patient.
From a side effect point of view, most men do not get side effects, so it is worth a try. Moreover, Propecia is a safe medicine. Even after or before having a hair transplant surgery, I mostly recommend taking Propecia so that my patients do not lose more of their native hair. From a cost effective point of view, a lifetime supply of finasteride is much less than a hair transplant procedure, especially if you take the generic finasteride 5mg and cut it into 1/4 pills.