Category: Drugs

I wanted to say that alot of people seem to get discouraged with propecia and minoxidil but I am a 35 yr old male who stated Minoxidil 2 years ago and Proscar (quatered) 4 month’s ago and before I started I had very thin hair a small bald patch up top and receeding hairline. Since then my hair has gotten back thick the bald patch is no longer visible and even got some of the hairline back. These products work but just take time. Hang in there guys and Dr. thank you for being out there for us.

Good for you!

Many doctors recommend BOTH finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Many believe that BOTH of these medications when used together will provide a synergistic benefit. I tend to believe in the “try-one-at-a-time” method so that if you do see results, you will have a good idea which of the two are giving you the benefits. Otherwise, you’ll be using both for life when you could possibly just use the one.

Hi Doctors,

I am a 23 year old male. I started taking Dr. Reddy’s 5mg Finasteride about a month ago in 1.5 mg doses. I have noticed that it has made my penis decrease in size in it’s flacid state (it’s like right after coming out of cold water), as well as a tightening of the scrotum.

I stopped for about a week and the problem went away. I tried to start taking it again today and the same problems occur.

I have heard of people feeling this tightness in the scrotum, but not the sympton of decrease in penis size. Have you heard of this before? Should I discontinue my use of the finasteride.

I highly doubt a small penis size is a reaction from finasteride or any drug for that matter. If stopping the drug solves the problem, then you made a decision between your penis and your hair. Trade-offs in life are always made. I’d say the penis is more important than the hair, but I really suggest you see a physician in person for an exam if you are concerned.

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Late Puberty and Propecia! is it safe to take if possibly still going through puberty??!!

Generally you should not be taking Propecia if you are going through puberty. Not because puberty is an absolute contraindication, but because DHT does impact many of the changes in your ‘adult male characteristics’. You need to discuss using this drug with your doctor and you need a good diagnosis of actual male pattern (androgenic) hair loss, which would be unlikely in a male prior to puberty. Some men may start to experience hair loss after they go through puberty and on rare occasions some doctors may prescribe Propecia after a proper physical exam and medical history.

Dr. Rassman,

I have come across an article on the web which quoted a recent medical study finding that intake of 5mg Finasteride (proscar strength) overtime (up to 1 yr) did result in loss of sperm count and volume. Would appreciate your thoughts on it if you have come across this rather troubling piece of news. Thanks.

Here’s the link: http://news.hairlosshelp.com/hair-loss-news/dht-inhibitors-can-lower-your-sperm-count-says-study/

One of the possible side effects of finasteride (Propecia is 1mg of finasteride) is a decrease in ejaculatory volume. However it does not occur in all men. Finasteride should not affect your sperm count (number of sperm seen in 1ml of volume) to be of any significance. All of these studies will indicate that after stopping the use of finasteride, you would return to your original base line volumes.

I have been on Propecia for 6 months and have seen no benefit at all, not even a slowdown in the amount that I lose daily.

Can we really expect to see positive results on Propecia if we’ve seen nothing after 6 months?

Any changes in the process of hair loss or gain are subtle because of the gradual nature of hair growth. The medication Propecia (finasteride) affects patients differently. For instance, patients in their 20s may have a better response to Propecia than a person in their 50s. The drug seems to work better in recent balding, so young men who are earlier in the hair loss cycle get better benefits (as a rule). I always check the miniaturization of the entire scalp before starting my patients on Propecia and follow my patients over 12 months after starting the medication for assessment of their gain or loss. In your case, if you had a prior examination, it is a good time to get checked again for comparison. If not, map your miniaturization now to at least get a point of reference for future follow-ups.

I would generally not give up on Propecia until after 12 months of treatment. The effects in some people are very subtle.

Do you think the combination of both Propecia and Rogaine is the best one two punch to combat MPB. Do you have any other recommendations as I sometimes get a bad reaction to Rogaine.

I wish it was as simple as that. Some doctors believe that Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) together is a good idea and may even provide a synergistic effect. Practicality, however, plays a part and if you consider the finances and twice a day application, it is difficult to use both drugs. My recommendation is to use something that you can be consistent with and stick to it. If you have a bad reaction to Rogaine, ask yourself if it is worth taking it at all.

Hi, I have a question about Propecia’s ability to possibly regrow hair on men experiencing MPB. I understand from your previous posts that regrowth (if it occurs) will typically happen with young men with recent hair loss.

Does regrowth of hair typically occur with men who respond quickly to Propecia (eg after about 3 months taking the pill)? If I don’t see regrowth after about a year of taking Propecia, is it still possible to see a sudden and dramatic turnaround after 12 months? Thanks.

Hair regrowth benefits from Propecia may be detected within the first 1-8 months after starting the medication, but the hair must grow out to see the real benefit so we generally put the timeline at 8-12 months. This timeline does reflect the value seen my patients who report either cessation of hair loss or hair regrowth. Based on the results of the studies, if you don’t see a significant result after one year, it is unlikely that you will become blown away after that.

I’ve been on Propecia for just over a month, and I realized I don’t get morning erections anymore. (I know for a fact I got them before) Is this something to worry about?

I’m only 21 and any change in sexual function for me is something I want to pay close attention to. Do you think this is just my body trying to adjust to the drug?

Sexual function has a very complicated mechanism and several factors are involved. The most important factor is usually stress that often could be seen with acceleration of hair loss. One way that you can see if your sexual function changes are due to the new medication is to stop it and monitor the changes. Are you having difficulty maintaining and getting an erection?

Do you believe the breast enlargement side effect of Propecia 1mg Finasteride is all or none? In other words are you either one of the 1/300 people who will experience this side effect or will everyone have some very small degree of breast enlargement from taking the drug? Just wondering what your opinion is on this. Thanks!

Although breast tenderness and enlargement with finasteride (Propecia) is reported by some patients, its incidences in the clinical studies were not different from those in patients treated with placebo. I have seen only a few patients with this symptom after starting the medication and most of the patients never experience anything like that. I do believe that in those small few who get this side effect, there is a relationship between Propecia and the breast enlargement, but if this happens, it happens in an ‘all or none’ way as you suggested in your question.