Category: Uncategorized

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Does Masturbation Increase DHT?

I already read expert advice that there is no direct connection between masturbation and hair loss. But I want to know if there is any chance that masturbation or excess masturbation converts testosterone in to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) that can cause hair loss in the male body.

You got it backwards. Testosterone is converted to DHT. If you have more testosterone, then you have more DHT and this combination increases the sex drive in males. If you have the genes for balding, the DHT also precipitates the genetic balding process.

See my video on this topic below

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Are Propecia Side Effects Just In My Head?

Is it possible that the side effects from Propecia are just in my head? I was prescribed Propecia in December of 07′ and within two weeks of taking it, I began to feel a loss of libido. I decided to push on and take the medication for another month and see if the side effects. Within a month, I no longer had an erection in the morning (which was something I would experience every day prior to taking the medication) and intercourse became somewhat boring. All the while, the only information I could find was negative information about men complaining about their sexual side effects.

I stopped taking the medication, and within a week, I began to regain my libido. I did not notice any increased hair loss from stopping the medication either.

Do you think its possible that these sexual side effects were caused by my self-conscious or does that sound like the typical event of the sexual side effect one receives from Propecia.

Thanks!

The power of suggestion and the placebo effect are well documented phenomenon. If you think it is going to happen or are worried it may happen, it just might. Propecia does have a side effect of decreasing libido by 1 to 2% and increasing libido by as high as 10%. If you need to focus on something, worry about a high libido and see what happens. I can’t say for sure whether you experienced side effects form Propecia, but if you only stopped the medical for a week you will likely not see any increased hair loss just yet. With some significant time being off the medication every day, you’ll surely see the benefits disappear.

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Artichokes and Hair Loss?

My Grandmother told me that in Sicily where she grew up it’s widely held that artichokes cause hair loss. I’m not sure what to make of this. Any thoughts?

There is no connection between artichokes and hair loss that I know of. Sometimes I laugh at myself as I put in some quick research to be sure that there are no connections between hair loss and the variables presented to me on this blog time after time. Every once in a while, I am surprised that I actually find an informative connection that makes me wiser and more humble.


2006-10-25 08:47:39Artichokes and Hair Loss?

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Memorial Day!

We’re off today to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives for their country… also known as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day. We’ll be back tomorrow!

USA

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Merck Study Shows 0.2mg Finasteride Almost as Good as 1mg?

Dear Dr Rassman,
According a study done on behalf of Merck, patients treated with 0.2 mg finasteride showed approximately an increase of 61 hairs versus an increase of 77 hairs in 1 inch square treated with 1 mg of finasteride over the 6 month period. So can we say that taking 0.5 mg of finasteride may yield nearly the same results with 1 mg treatment

Split PropeciaYou are correct. We have known about this for many years (and have reported it here), though the standard dose is 1mg. For those who have unwanted side effects, taking 1/2 of the standard dose of Propecia should be considered, which we have been advising for many years.* Some of the original studies suggest that 1/2 the dose can be 80% as effective as the full dose and 1/4 of the dose could be half as effective as the full dose.

The original Merck study wanted to know the best and most effective dose, and the statistical data suggested 1mg. This was across a large population and if you assume that there is a bell curve, there is a wide range of responses. That also may mean that as many people as impacted by 1/2 the dose with 80% effectiveness, one might see that a sizable proportion of the population may require a higher dose than 1mg. When we see the response fall off, or a poor response, we are now recommending doubling the dose provided that the side effects do not appear.

*As always, discuss any changes to your prescription medication dosing with your prescribing doctor.

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Auditing a Hair Transplant?

Hey Doc,
I had an FUE procedure last week of 2400 grafts. The procedure lasted 9 hours (10 if you include lunch, etc.).

My question is as follows: How can one verify that the doctor (a well respected FUE doctor)actually gave you the number of grafts that you paid for? The work seems fine, but it just doesn’t seem like there are 2400 scabs on my head representing the number of grafts, and im now skeptical that i really got that amount. I do not have much of a way to verify my hunch as its too difficult to count.

I know the obvious answer is to pick an honest surgeon. But beyond that — any thoughts, tricks or advice for those of us whose eyeballs seem to underestimate the number of grafts on our heads? Is it tpically more or less than it looks like to the human eye?

Thanks!

If you feel the need to verify that you got what you paid for or what the doctor represented to you in regard to the follicular unit extraction (FUE) transplant, then you can get a second opinion. I have done that on a number of patients, but if the transplant was more than a week old, my accuracy in counting them is compromised. What I do is count the wounds (holes) on the back of your head.

If you had 2400 grafts, then you should have 2400 holes reflecting the FUE extraction sites. If the doctor charged by the number of follicular units, sometimes a single FUE site can have more than one unit if the doctor used a large punch or if your density is very high. Or maybe less than 2400 were taken, but the grafts were split (see here for more on that). I am not saying this is what happened, but I am giving you a skeptic’s point of view, reflecting your uncertainty.

Finally, if you trust the doctor ask for your surgical records and count sheets, which may show the doctor’s actual numbers (where the technicians keep track of all the “successful” FUE grafts pulled out and all the “unsuccessful” FUE grafts pulled out). This is what we do on every FUE case.

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microneedling alone did this (photo)

This is the result of using microneedling along. This shows that this technique can reverse hair loss as a result of wound healing and the production of healing molecules in the wounds.


2020-08-07 10:24:39microneedling alone did this (photo)

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Avodart’s FDA Status?

You have mentioned that Avodart is not yet approved by FDA. Do you know what the status is on them approving it? Is it in its beginning trial stages or are the trials mostly complete and the FDA is just evaluating all of the research before making a decision. Or have they rejected it all together?

Avodart was approved by the FDA for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in 2001. While I do not know which stage the trials are currently in, I am sure that the manufacturer of Avodart is doing all they can to speed up the FDA approval process for use in hair loss, if it is even at trials to begin with.