Category: Drugs

hello doctor,
i have been prescribed a combination of 2% minoxidil to be applied once a day and 5 mg finasteride to be taken once a week, is it safe to practice urine therapy in oral intake form or topical form while under medication. thank you

I do not know much about urine therapy, but I’m not big on drinking my pee or applying it to my scalp in the hopes of regrowing hair. Or are you doing it for some other reason? For those that want to learn a little more about urotherapy, I was just trying to get up to speed by reading this article about “the medicine you make yourself” — Telegraph.co.uk – A wee drop of amber nectar.

With respect to taking finasteride, I do not think urine will have any impact on it… but the dose you are taking is not the recommended dose (it should be 1mg each day, not 5mg once per week).

Good day Dr.,

I know that every day, the average human loses between 40 and 100 hairs a day. As those of us balding can attest to, I can see about 200 on my hands after shampooing my hair. I’m about to start taking Propecia and was wondering how long it would take before I stop seeing so much hair coming out in the shower. I know you shouldn’t see results for a few months, but I figured maybe something like that might see an effect sooner (as unscientific as it may be).

Thanks for the awesome website

You should see benefits on reducing hair loss in 1-3 months. It differs for each man taking Propecia, of course.

Hi Dr Rassman,

I have a growing concern about a couple of blogs you answered stating that dutasteride “could”, but not definitely cause permanent sterility. wondering if you have come across this situation,or a site on the net with some further info. I am a 40 year old male and have been on dutasteride (0.5mg) for 9 months. no side effects to date, unless it is mental, and have 3 children. results are good to date.

Thanks.

At the 0.5mg dosage you’re taking, risks of sterility likely aren’t great, if any. The FDA trial results should be released sometime this year. When the results are out, the answers to your questions will hopefully be there.

I understand that you’ve answered questions similar to this multiple times, however I’m still having a hard time putting the overall logic of this drug together…

First of all, here is my situation. I am 25 years old. I began experiencing light thinning around the crown and in the mid-anterior area about 6 months ago. It seemed to progress very slowly, but 3 months ago I decided to begin propecia 1mg daily. I experienced one or two days of VERY noticeably shedding about a month after starting the drug (I brushed my hand lightly over the top of my head once and saw dozens of hairs fall into the sink one time). I don’t know if this was caused by the drug. I have now been on the drug for 3 and 1/2 months. I now have noticeably more hair loss than I did at the beginning, when I comb my hair I see 10-20 hairs fall out. Am I too optimistic in believing that I should experience good results because of my age and that I began the drug within a few months of my hair starting to thin? Is how quickly you get results an indicator of how good those results will be?

You indicated in response to another reader “When Propecia works, it works very fast. You may not see the full impact for 8 or so months, but you do not have to wait to get the benefits”(March 21 2007). What is the difference between “impact” and “benefits”? One occurs very fast, the other takes 8 or so months? I’m confused… And I’m not necessarily asking you to make a premature prediction about MY results (although if you you felt like it I would be interested), I’m moreso just trying to understand the logic of how I should evaluate my response to the drug over time, so that i can make a more educated decision about whether to continue putting a foreign substance into myself for cosmetic reasons.

Thanks for your time.

The biochemical connection at blocking the DHT occurs in days or weeks after starting the drug, but as hair grows at 1/2 inch per month, it takes time for you to see the results. In addition to this, the impact on each hair may be different depending upon the degree of miniaturization and I believe that this is real, but there are no studies on this that show any science behind this statement. What we do know is that the benefits of Propecia seem to increase over time (up to two years) so my last statement may be the mechanism behind the incremental benefit that is seen. The decision to take Propecia is a personal decision for each man who is balding and all we can do as doctors is advise our patients on what we know.

I plan to take Proscar (split into 4/1.25mg each) but my biggest concern is breast enlargement. What would be the best way to determine I was experiencing the side effect? I am very slim with zero fat (like a 33″ chest) and chest is pretty flat. I’m wary that it can be harder for one to notice a gradual change so would taking photos from the side and comparing every week be an idea?

How likely would any change in feeling (tenderness, pain etc) be an indicator of gyno starting to occur? If I noticed a slight increase in breasts and stopped Proscar immediately would the size return to normal – and how long may it take? And at what point does it no longer become reversible? Thanks.

Breast tenderness and breast enlargement are different — one may not be indicative of the other. Each person is different, and as that particular side effect is extremely rare, I can’t say for sure where the “point of no return” is. It varies from person to person. Just try not to get too obsessive about it, but if you do begin to notice anything strange, then discuss it with your prescribing doctor. You won’t just wake up with man-boobs overnight and certainly, the side effect is so rare that it shouldn’t be cause for worry.

Dear doctors at Balding Blog,
once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your great work. It is really really much appreciated from everyone out here. I have a question which I have not seen answered, so I hope you can help me out.

1. I believe I am a guy with naturally high Testosterone levels. I have a very high sex drive, and I believe this is causing my excessive testosterone to be converted into DHT. Do you think that is logical? How do I reduce my sex drive?
2. I have been on Propecia for 10 months. How long do you think I should wait to see results? My hair has been slowly thinning, and now I can’t even comb it properly.
3. I have a receeding hairline, especially at the corners. However I can see tiny vellus hairs at the corners. Should I start applying Rogaine in that particular area?

Thank you very much for your time. I wish you and your team all the best always

1. I do not suggest that you try to reduce your sex drive, but if you think that your testosterone level is too high, get it tested.
2. The results of Propecia take at least 8-12 months to see benefits, but that benefit may just be reduced hair loss, not hair growth.
3. You can apply Rogaine to the corners, but you will have to wait at least 8 months to determine if it works.

Thank you for your well wishing. I hope I helped.

Dear Doctor,

regarding the use of zinc together with minoxidil. Please note at the end of this page (HairLossFight.com):

“There are studies in regards to the use of topical zinc. However, zinc will form insoluble salts when it reacts with minoxidil/azelaic acid, rendering all of the ingredients ineffective.”

The above email was received in response to Can Zinc Block Minoxidil?. Thanks for sending this in.

Dear Doctor

First of I would like to congratulate you on this wicked resourse, I have a buring question wondering you can shed some light on. One of the common side effect of taking Finastride is that it directly effects the sperm making it watery etc. We planning for a baby and I am wondering taking Finasteride will directly effect the child, growth etc? I have not yet seen my GP but everytime I put my hand through my hair I get 2-3 hair that come out, front and crown. but still got a thick head of hair.

Thank doc hope to hear from you soon.

If you are worried about the quality of your semen, then get it check out by your doctor. Finasteride does change the quality of the semen in some men (about 20%), but it has not been reported that it will reduce your chance of getting your lady pregnant or effect the child’s growth. It is normal to lose 100 hairs/day.

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