Category: Drugs

I have recently read some of your insights regarding hair loss and propecia on the internet. I wanted to ask you a question regarding propecia. I have been using the drug for about a two and half years with pretty good results. At first, the only side effect I experienced was testicular pain that eventually went away after several weeks of using the drugs. Recently, I felt discomfort in that area again and decided to get it checked out. It turns out that I have a vericocele. I was wondering if there is any connection between propecia and the vericocele. I am extremely concerned that I might be harming my body by taking the drug. If so, I would probably discontinue the drug and consider other options such as a hair transplant. If you could shed some light on these concerns I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your time.

The presence of a varicocele (abnormal enlargement of the veins in the scrotum draining the testicles) is found in many men that are not taking Propecia (finasteride 1mg) so I do not know if there is a cause and effect here. I haven’t read anything about a connection in medical literature. If the varicocele is causing you pain, your doctor may have to perform a minor surgery on it, though sometimes no treatment is required. Learn more about this at Wikipedia.

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I find your blog to be an incredibly truthful gem floating in a sea of smoke and mirrors, and I thank you for that. Now on to my question(s)…

I have been searching all over the net for doctors of your calibur and style in my area (Chicago IL), but I have not been able to find anything. Can you recommend anyone? (I am currently not interested in transplants, just a general consultant and someone to check my miniaturization/progress). If not, perhaps you can help without seeing me. My current treatment is as follows: I take Propecia in the morning (started 4.5 months ago), I also use Revivogen at night (started 3 months ago), and I use the Hairmax lasercomb (used regularly for 2 months or so). At 2 months I had noticable hair regrowth at my temples.. this hair has since grown to about an inch long. There was a period of extreme itching/shedding (at 3.5mo), but it faded. Now for the past 1.5-2 weeks my head has been itching and shedding AGAIN.

I have done my best to look at all the hairs falling out and there are 2 main types of hairs visible… one is a strong and solid hair (about 50% of the fallout), the other is a weird thin/curly tipped hair but with a noticably stronger/straighter (I have very straight hair normally) base to it (50% aswell). Is it possible for someone to have positive regrowth in 2 months but then plummet back to balding again? Are these thin tipped+strong based hairs a good sign of Propecia reversing the miniaturization?

Also, I see very little progress at the crown, is it possible to regrow at the temples but not at the crown?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. PS: I’m a 24 year old male if it matters.

Generally, I rarely see any gain in hair growth at two months no matter what type of treatment. So you must be doing something that no one is aware of. In short, I really cannot comment on what is going on with your hair growth or hair loss, and I really don’t know why you have itching and shedding either.

With respect to hair growth cycles, it is a very SLOW process and nothing happens in one or two months. Hair grows for several years and hair sheds over several months. Unfortunately, I do not know of many doctors who routinely do miniaturization studies, though there is more and more doing it nowadays. I would consult with a good, caring dermatologist to see what is causing your itching and shedding.

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The article states, “AVMs are 24/7 machines housed in standalone rooms, abutting two dispensaries and protected by round-the-clock security guards — like ATMs for people combating psychological withdrawal with a physical one.”

It’s interesting, certainly, but I wonder how easy this is going to be to exploit. Prescription drugs in a vending machine… wow. I do think its an interesting concept. What else can I say? Technology is neat.

Hello Dr.,

I expermented with steroids about 2 1/2 years ago. I was told that dosage would cause no side effects but before I even ended my cycle there was significant hair loss and a decrease in sex drive. Even after the two years I am still recovering and have not had a regular libido and show significant thinning of my hair.

Since I had the low sex drive when experimenting with steroids is it possible that taking propecia I have a higher chance of it occuring again? Is there another drug that can be taken along with propecia? I am 28 years of age and in good health aside from the hair loss and irregular sex drive.

You need to have a doctor manage this process for you. Your low sex drive can be a result of your anabolic steroid use or just a naturally low sex drive (independent of steroids). Many men have low sex drives that go undiagnosed or they are not readily willing to face the problem and often try to find other causes like steroid use or Propecia (finasteride) use. My recommendation is to have a good physical exam by your primary care physician. I really cannot tell you if Propecia will give you a high chance of sex drive issues. Propecia in general has a side effect of decreased sex drive (1 to 2 percent) and an increased sex drive (10 percent), possibly because testosterone levels go up between 9-18% on Propecia.

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Dear Doctor:

Two questions about Rogaine application:

1. In addition to taking 1.mg finasteride daily, I’ve been applying Rogaine foam for a few months now, mainly the frontal third of the head. That area alone takes more than the recommended half a capful. Although it is the frontal third that is my main concern right now, I’m somewhat miniaturized pretty much on the N5 area, albeit, to the naked eye, I have a pretty good head of hear at the moment (I’m 29). I just don’t see how it is possible to treat the entire area with less than three times the recommended dosage (which makes the treatment prohibitively expensive and fraught with side effects).Is there any residual benefit to the vertex area through general scalp circulation at all, if the application is on the front third?
2. Since Rogaine absorbs into fingers rapidly, does it make sense to apply it with a medical rubber glove, to ensure that more goes into the scalp, not hands? For some reason this issue hasn’t been addressed by Rogaine users.

1. Overdosing Rogaine for the entire scalp application is a real concern, but the best I can offer is to just watch out for side effects. Any Rogaine you use will be absorbed into the body before it works its way around the scalp where it is not applied, so if you use it on the crown, do not expect benefits in the front of your scalp or visa versa.
2. The photo below (click to enlarge) shows the result of Rogaine Foam (minoxidil) on the hand that applies the medication to the scalp when compared to the other hand. Although this patient’s hands are quite hairy to begin with, clearly, the right hand has more hair than the left. This patient has been using the Foam for 3 months. It is up to you whether you want to use a glove when applying it.

 

Hi Dr Rassman,

I need some help with storage of propecia. I live in an area where the weather usually goes up well above 30C (sometimes up to 42C). On the box of propecia, it says it must be stored below 30C. I cannot keep it in the bathroom anymore as its too hot. Should i keep it in the fridge or is that too low of a temperature?

how low can the temperature be for storing purposes? thanks heaps!

In your case, I would store it in your refrigerator, as the temperature in there is going to be below 30C unless it is broken (considering a fridge is normally around 5C). I would wrap it in an insulating type cover, because you would want to avoid condensation.

Hi there-

I’ve surfed through past entries, and was unable to find a post specific to the problem I’m having.

I began noticing the signs of MPB in my late teens, and a more prolific loss in my early twenties. I’m 24 years old now, and have been on a Propecia/Rogaine regiment since visiting a dermotologist last year.

Within two weeks of consistent Propecia use, I began to have painful ejaculations and the consistency of my semen became clumpy/very gelatenous. I was told that sexual side effects usually subside with continued use, and indeed, ejaculation is no longer painful. My semen consistency is mostly normal now, but it occasionally reverts back to that of the initial months of taking the medication.

Ever heard of a similar experience?

I have been aware that the consistency of the semen changes in some men, but I have not heard about painful ejaculation. Talk to your prescribing doctor about this issue.