Balding Blog

I just want to say that im approaching 18 months on propecia and I just recently got a hair cut and took some new pictures, and compared to to the old ones, my hair def looks better. it looks thicker and seems to be getting better. I just want to say thanks for all the info you gave me, and give me the advice to stick with it and not discontinue it (which at one point I wanted to give up). Thanks doc, really appreciate all the help.

doctor can some stress cause hair loss? I experienced a stressful week a couple of weeks ago (not an extreme, but just some worrying and anxiety), and kinda worried if it can make hair loss worse, or not. I mean I have experience worse stress before and my hair stayed the same, just want to know want kind of stress really causes hair loss

thanks again doctor. you are the best

I’m glad to hear you’re seeing positive results from the Propecia. Some men want to give up after a few months because it’s not an instant result, but you stuck with it and it paid off for you. And since you’re an actual patient of mine, you should make plans to come see me for a re-evaluation.

Some stress can cause temporary hair loss, but do not judge it on a week or a month basis. I wouldn’t be too concerned about a stressful week. That happens to most of us from time to time.

i’ve heard people complain about “shedding” with Rogaine, Propecia, and Avodart (more with Avodart and Rogaine). I can see from what you have posted before how Rogaine may cause “shedding” (or loss of hair) as it speeds up the hair cycle, and may cause hairs to fall out to be replaced by new, by stimulating the hair cylce process. But how would Propecia or Avodart cause shedding? It seems like it would cause to stop, since only a hormonal inhibitor, not some hair regrowth stimulant. Are these people complaining of “shedding” really just experiencing hair loss from genetic hormonal factor (androgenic alopecia), and it just has not been long enough for their Propecia (6 months to 1 1/2 years) to really kick-in and cause regrowth?

Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) may cause hair shedding in some, probably through the same mechanism. The exact mechanism for this hair shedding is not known, but the shedding induced by all different medications generally fall into the same pattern. As we’ve said before, this hair shedding is usually temporary and reversible within a few months and not as common as the readers of websites may think. In my practice, I rarely hear this complaint.

I’m 24, been on Propecia for a year, and really haven’t seen much of a change. I’m balding from my hairline but I feel (but can’t really see) thinning in the big horseshoe, Norwood 6 or so.

Over the last year, my hairline’s continued receding at about the same level it was before, and recession is definitely much more noticeable than it was before I started. I also haven’t seen any side effects except maybe anxiety or depression, but that could also be related to external factors since I’ve had experience with both of those in the past.

Since it’s been a year, and I don’t think it’s worth spending $1000 a year on my salary for what seems to be negligible results, I was thinking about stopping. But with all the “panic” around Propecia over the last couple of weeks, I’m concerned that stopping might bring on new side effects, even though I haven’t had any on the drug. What are your thoughts on that whole alleged “Post-Finasteride Syndrome” and, as someone who has been very minimally effected by the drug, do you think it’s worth me even being concerned about? I know the internet’s full of hyperbole and all, but I just want to make sure I cover all of my bases before I stop taking the drug.

It feels like I’ve written about this dozens of times on the blog. Side effect incidence is rare and the recent hysteria is from a published article about 54 men that were interviewed (men that joined the study after being recruited from a forum created to complain about the drug). I think the power of suggestion is likely at play.

If you’re concerned about the price — you can ask your doctor for a prescription to the 5mg pill (a generic is available which makes it incredibly cheap), and then just cut the pill. That saves significant costs.