Category: Uncategorized

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Propecia Linked to Male Breast Cancer?

There was some reference in the 7-year Proscar study to a statistically significant increase in male breast cancer among the participants taking 5mg of Proscar daily.

Any thoughts or perhaps you have seen further research?

By the way, your visit from Jimmy and Adam on the “Man Show” was hysterical. You handled those guys with style. Well done!

Thanks for your comments on the Man Show. I fully enjoyed doing this as well as many other similar programs.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 349:1569-1572 October 16, 2003 Number 16, Prevention of Prostate Cancer with Finasteride) there was only one case of male breast cancer in this study group of almost 19,000 men (see CNN article: Baldness drug may reduce prostate cancer risk).

Gynecomastia (breast nodules in men) is more common and is often painful when it occurs, but this is not cancer. There is no evidence that cancer is a risk, but if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, I might consider finding out if the gene for breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA1 on chromosome 17 and BRCA2 on chromosome 13) is carried in you (see Do We Know What Causes Breast Cancer in Men?). If you carry the gene, then you might avoid Propecia. The good news is that you can test for BRCA1.

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Do Hair Transplants Take Longer to Grow After Multiple Surgeries?

I have undergone my 3rd hair transplant surgery in March 2010 and I am at the 8 month mark. I am mostly satisfied with my results, but hoping for some more growth and increased density. I was wondering if the transplanted hair takes longer to emerge and mature when you have had successive hair transplants. I was told by my doctor that the hair transplants take longer to emerge after the third hair transplant and i should expect some more hair growth and increase in density.

I would like to get your thoughts around this. Thank you.

I’m not sure why your surgeon would’ve told you it takes longer for hair to grow after the multiple procedures, because the growth period is roughly the same for each surgery. The third surgery should grow at about the same time as the first one did. If you are concerned about growth, speak with your doctor again. I occasionally see some growth occur between 8-12 months, but that is usually in addition to what is grown by the 8th month.

You should be alarmed if there is no growth within the one year time frame, but less concerned if it has only been under 6 months. In your case at 8 months, you should see some good growth by now with hopefully a little more in the coming months.


2010-11-09 12:13:54Do Hair Transplants Take Longer to Grow After Multiple Surgeries?

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Propecia Stopped Working, So I Added Rogaine

I have been on Propecia for 2 1/2 years but about 6 months ago I noticed that the Propecia was no longer doing its job so I started on Rogaine as well and have been using that for 6 months along with the Propecia. The crown of my head has not gotten worse however the thinning area has spreaded throughout the scalp and I fear it is only getting worse. What do you recommend I do?

There is no cure for androgenic (male pattern) hair loss. Drugs such as Propecia slow it down and at best sometimes grows some hair. Just because you notice more hair falling out does not necessarily mean Propecia has stopped working. Instead it is not able to keep up with your ultimate fate. Adding Rogaine may be of benefit, but again there is no cure or 100% stop to the hair loss. Even surgery (hair transplant) cannot cure balding. At best, it redistributes the hair so that you can maintain a look for maximum cosmetic benefit.

If you are noticing a rapid rate of hair loss, you can consider seeing a doctor for a miniaturization study to document the rate of hair loss and review any medical or surgical option for a complete master plan.


2007-03-02 11:34:24Propecia Stopped Working, So I Added Rogaine

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Folliculitis can be a complication of a hair transplant? (photo)

You have a significant infection. If I were to see you, I would culture the wounds, drain all of the pustules and put you on an antibiotic immediately, adjusting it based upon the culture report and your response to it. I would also have you use warm wet compresses on it a few times a day to facilitate the pustules to drain.


2019-12-11 09:09:21Folliculitis can be a complication of a hair transplant? (photo)

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Propeshia in Mexico?

Hello Dr,
Is it the same Propeshia as Propecia? Here in mexico they only sale Propeshia with a “sh” instead of “c” in between. It’s supposedly run by Merck also.

Thanks!

I’ve never seen any packaging or mention of Propeshia (with that spelling), but I did find a reference to it on Drugs.com that basically just confirms that it is from Mexico.

The only other mentions of it with that spelling that I can find are from Mexican pharmacies selling it online, which isn’t exactly the most trustworthy source of information. I thought Merck was selling it in Mexico as Propecia, not Propeshia… but anyone can print a label that says otherwise. It’s possible that it is the real deal, but I’m not sure.

There are so many names that generic Propecia is sold as internationally that I can’t keep up. Some that come to mind include Finpecia, Finax, Finalo, and Gefina. Plus, I have no way to know if there’s even finasteride in the pills you found.


2012-01-18 11:50:56Propeshia in Mexico?

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Protein Shakes and Hair Loss

With all of the questions being asked about protein shakes, are there any that you would recommend? Is there any kind of “regular” whey out there. I try to take protein shakes everyday, but I don’t want them is they have steroids in them. I don’t want them if they are similar to steroids. Regular protein is supposed to by good for the hair not hell on the hair.

While I don’t endorse any particular protein shake, I don’t know that they’ve been proven to make hair fall out. Your genetic predisposition makes your hair fall out. Protein shakes are not anabolic steroids.

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Publication on forum site stating Merck lied about sexual side effects from finasteride?

https://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/topic/merck-makers-of-propecia-caught-lying-for-second-time/3390

This is all speculation at this time; however, it is appearing in many forums as fact. We must wait for the court to go through its process before judging Merck here.


2019-09-18 10:52:54Publication on forum site stating Merck lied about sexual side effects from finasteride?