Hello. I have been losing my hair pretty steadily for the last 2 years and I am finally strongly considering taking Propecia for the hair loss.

I have read many negative side effects on message boards and was looking to see if there were any positive feedback....very little if any.

The thing is that most people with good results don't get on message boards and discuss that. Message boards seem to be a place for people to go if they are not having success.

I was just wondering if anyone has taken Propecia for hair loss and what their opinion of it is.

Thanks

Propecia works really good. I havent had any side effects from it. I would suggest you try it right away because either that or you will loose what ever you have left.
PS: I also recently had a hairtransplant for the front hair line only. It's only been three weeks after the surgery and the hair is already growing http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Good for you Chiquita!

I am glad to hear that you are having positive results!

How long have you been on Propecia?

Do you plan to have more hair transplants?

Take care.

Hello....I took Propecia but had to stop due to breast enlargement. No way that is acceptable.

Many do fine though. Good luck to you!

Did your breast enlargement recede after you discontinued use of Propecia?

Yo i have been using propecia for almost 5 months...so far ther hasnt been much except i have noticed that my hair is starting to grow back on my receding hairline in the front and my hair over all seems thicker..no side effects so far. I would talk to your doc about it first but otherwise go for it.

I'm 33, and I have moderate hair loss, I used Propecia about 2 years ago for about a year, when I didnt notice any results after 12 months, I stopped, but didnt have any adverse side affects that I was aware of. I heard it works for some and does not work for others, so you've got nothing to loose, try it and if you get results, great!

I've never used it myself, but my brother did (starting losing his hair by 24 and 4 years later was nearly bald!) and it worked like a charm for him. He's now got a full head of hair. He never had any side effects from it. Of course, it took a while to see results, but he said it was totally worth the expense.

Good luck!

Hey mercedes...could you find out how long it took him to see results?...I have been using it for almost 5 months..I know I havnt lost any more but i am not sure if it has started to grew back...thank you.

Wow, I want to start takig this. Im 20 and ppl are already noticing im bolding http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Not cool at all!

I heard hard to get errections when you take it. Is this true?

Any more userers that have something to say?


Can you obtain propecia over the counter or by prescription only?
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JZ 1981

[This message has been edited by JZ (edited 02-27-2002).]

From what I've read very few people have sexual side effects from propecia so most likely you should go for it.

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-25-2002).]

Wow, lots of people are having good results with it. I'm also glad to hear it helps thining hair line in the front, that's what I'm worried about.

Hey guys, how much does this stuff cost???

Just curious if anyone has had a similiar experience or has some insight.

I am 32 year old male who has always had a ton of hair. Well, in the last 6-8 months I have begun to recede rapidly in the hairline as well as general thinning overall. It has been pretty quick. Also it seems as thought my hair has stopped growing overall, particularly in the front. My hair has become dry and brittle and recently as well and conditioner does not seem to reduce the texture of the hair.

I saw a hair specialist and he said I had early thinning in the front and put me on Propecia. I have been using it for 9 weeks and have had no results but I reckon it is too early. Hair loss has still been occuring rapidly while on the drug.

Anyone have similiar experiences? Just curious because of the speed of the hair loss. 1 year ago, I did not have a problem, but today I do.

Thanks in advance

^

^

I'm a 24 yr old male who has had a receding hairline since I was about 16. So far, I still have a full set of hair on top, but my temple areas have receded about an inch. I used propecia 3 years ago with indeterminable results: I only used the product for 6 months. I did, however, notice several new strains of hair growing along my hairline in the temple regions. I discontinued the drug because I couldn't afford it at the time (I was in college). A 30 day supply costs about $60, and it is only available through prescription. Insurance companies DO NOT cover any of this cost. I did not have any negative side-effects at all. However, I recently went to a dermatoligist for a new prescription to start taking the product again, and he suggested that I use rogaine instead since the long-term effects of propecia are still unknown. I have been using rogain ever since (3 months) and I haven't seen any results yet. Rogaine does make my scalp itch though, and when it dries, it makes your hair stick together like gel.

^

Been on Propecia for about 5 months now, and I'm fairly sure it has stopped my mild hair loss on the corwn. My hairline has receeded a bit (Propecia does NOT claim to work on a receeding hairline, nor does Rogaine). I am pleased I've stopped the hairloss (I think!) and it only gets better over the course of a year, according to the drug info I've seen. Give it a try...I pay about $40 for one month supply, FYI, but it will vary.

I am a 28 year old WOMAN. And my doctor gave me a prescription to take this. After doing much research on the internet and talking to 2 pharmacists and I am finding out that this is not a good idea for women to take this. Am I the only woman that has ever been given this from their doctor? I plan on trying to get pregnant in the beginning of the year and I am scared to death of the possible things that may go wrong. On the bottle it says the a pregnant women should not even touch a pill. Why am I being told to take this since I am not a man?!?!??! Thanks

FEMALES should NOT take Propecia! My understanding is that it WILL cause birth defects in children . Please look into this very carefully, and speak to your doctor. I would be quite concerned he gave you Propecia!

I just found this site and noticed a few women on here trying propecia. Women DO NOT take propecia, it has been shown to cause birth defects.It is only for men and I don't know of any derm who would prescribe it for you.

any new opinions?

^

Amaru, women who aree past their child bearing years or other women who cannot have children can safely take Propecia.

^

..............

Update: been using propecia for 1 year:3 months. My hair looks the same I believe when I first started using it...was 19. Which is what the product is said to do; keep the hair that you have. My parents and sister say that It looks thicker now...which I belive it is a little....my hairline has stopped receading and the little spot in the back is thickeing a little bit. there is some new peach fuss kind of stuff on front hairline...but nothing to noticeable....I have considerd getting something done for my hairline..anyone tried anything?...if i could have a normal hairline, I would be a lot more comfortable with my appearence. JZ I am 20 as well, and man it does suck to be so young and losing hair. Most of the time you cant really notice that I have a high hairline...I try to keep it short. Well anyone else have further comments>?

[This message has been edited by zangiff (edited 12-12-2002).]

Hey Hyhair14
I do not think the hair loss you are having is from male pattern baldness. The dry and course hair could be from your Thyroid. I thought I was going bald and found out that I had Thyroid Disease. You will loose hair and it looks just like you are going bald but your hair will be very dry. I would see an Dr and find out what your T3 levels are. Just a thought

Donnie

^

does it cause acne??

Donnie317,

I have seen some endocrinologists and have had blood taken. No endo thinks there is a problem with my thyroid.

Results below:

TSH: (normal range 0.5-5.0)
July: 2.5
September: 1.18
November: 1.86
I believe the 1.18 was a false reading considering I have been always >2 in the last 18 months and as high I believe as 2.5 on that 1 test.

Free T4:
July: 16 (nr 10-25)
September: 14 (nr 10-25)
November: 13 (nr 10-22)

T3: (nr 1.3-2.7)
July: 1.2
September: 1.2
November: Not taken


T3 Uptake (nr 0.24-0.35)
July: 0.27
September: 0.29
November: Not taken

Free T3 Index
July: 0.32 (nr 0.35-0.78)
September: 0.35 (nr 0.35-0.78)
November: 4.1 (nr 3.5-6.5) (it said free T3, which I will assume is this)

My TSH readings appear to be normal, my T4 are low-normal and my T3 readings are mostly below normal or low normal. I do have other symptoms which relate to hypothyroidism. (fatigue, thinning eyebrows, cold intolerance amongst others)

I do think something is off with my thyroid, but no doc seems to think so and I am tired of going around to docs. I think until my TSH gets above 3, I am going to get nowhere.

Donnie317...any suggestions?

any more replies?

any more replies?

Any more replies?

Hey Zangiff I see that you are considering a hair transplant (on some other thread)...Did you notice any side effects from propecia?

Thanks.

proscar is the same drug by the same company but cheaper, it's used for prostate problems and a side effect was hair growth and that gave them a new drug to market under the name Propecia.

Anyways, I was on it but then stopped taking it when I ran out after a month and now I'm back on it, I don't notice any side effects. I guess it can effect your sexdrive but I have no problems. still waiting for hair growth though, can take months i guess.

From what I've read, Propecia and Proscar are the same drug (Finasteride) made by Merck. The generic stuff is made by Cipla. Generic Propecia usually comes in 1 mg and generic Proscar comes in 5 mg, so it is cheaper to buy Proscar and split it. That will make taking a 2.5mg dose for about 50 cents a day. Maybe I'll try it out myself, now that the generic has come down in price drastically from when this thread originated.

rnmcd,

You have been bumping this thread regularly over the past. You mind if I ask where you stand on this? Do you take this pill? For how long? Have you had favorable results from it yet? I haven't read where you have provided any personal information, but you do seem to have a strong interest. I am not criticizing you, but for someone who has been following this thread for so long, I would appreciate your personal input. Others may appreciate it as well.

Thanks,


Hoop

From what I've read, Propecia and Proscar are the same drug (Finasteride) made by Merck. The generic stuff is made by Cipla. Generic Propecia usually comes in 1 mg and generic Proscar comes in 5 mg, so it is cheaper to buy Proscar and split it. That will make taking a 2.5mg dose for about 50 cents a day. Maybe I'll try it out myself, now that the generic has come down in price drastically from when this thread originated.

rnmcd,

You have been bumping this thread regularly over the past. You mind if I ask where you stand on this? Do you take this pill? For how long? Have you had favorable results from it yet? I haven't read where you have provided any personal information, but you do seem to have a strong interest. I am not criticizing you, but for someone who has been following this thread for so long, I would appreciate your personal input. Others may appreciate it as well.

Thanks,


Hoop


The reason I bump this thread is to get the opinion of new users especially regarding side effects and instead of starting a new thread each time I kind of like to have the opinions in one thread if possible.

I finally found a dermatologist that was willing to prescribe proscar for me. If I decide to do that I will quarter the Proscar.

I have not tried any internal medication for hairloss. I have tried Rogaine (topical) but that irritated my scalp too much to continue with it.

I hope everyone has excellent success with whatever route they should choose.

......................

no side effects taking and taking it for a couole of months, no effects yet of any kind though.

how is ur hair going thickening up at all? oh one thing i hheard was the best results u should mix minox with propecia and use nixion shampoos when u shower

anyone have any additional information to add?

i am currently on proscar, minox 5% and xandrox 15% just started it all 2 months ago. So far hair looks a bit better. U?

i am 20, and i started taking propecia about 3 weeks ago. i have had no side effects so far. my derm recommended i stay on it for a year....if my hairline looks the same or has improved over the course of a year, i will stay on it.

prettyboi22,
what is minox, and nixion?

i am 20, and i started taking propecia about 3 weeks ago. i have had no side effects so far. my derm recommended i stay on it for a year....if my hairline looks the same or has improved over the course of a year, i will stay on it.

prettyboi22,
what is minox, and nixion?

Minox (minoxidil) is the active ingredient in the topical, non presciption application. The main brand name is Rogaine.

Nioxin is a line of hair care products that some say helps thinning hair...it didn't do anything for me.

nioxin wont do anything but xandrox + minox along with proscar and hopefully nizoral wiill for most people

keep the updates coming. I am 20 years old and on the fence on if I should start taking propecia/proscar...

hey everyone
well today went to the GP and now have a prescription for propecia... seriously in two minds as to go pick up the tablets - as the doctor understandably did her best to run through all possibly side-effects with me. These ranged from gastro-something-or-other-bleeding, to breast enlargement and breast/liver tumours. Not exactly a pretty picture.

However, she gave me the prescription so I could go think about it in my own time. Presumably, all these side effects must be valid concerns - and so I cannot understand how the drug came to be licensed for hair loss treatment - is propecia really as noxious as it sounds?

Thanks!
(stay) fabulous!

from what I understand, the side effects with propecia occur in less than 2% of users so there's a very good chance you won't experience anything at all. however, from reading through forums and such it seems like a lot more than 2% of men are suffering from side effects from propecia. im not sure if they are overreacting or if this is indeed the case. most side effects reported with propecia are sexual side effects (lack of sex drive, etc). it is important to note, however, if you do see side effects with propecia you can discontinue using it and they will go away. anyway, im in the same boat as you and still mulling over going on it or not or going another route.

hmmm it is a tough one. definately would rather take propecia than regaine.. would imagine it ruins pillowcases etc! With regard to the side effects my GP did advise me that say one was to develop f. ex. a liver tumour, discontinuing use of Propecia would not cure it - you would require separate treatment. Sexual side effects I feel I can deal with, tumours I cannot.

The Propecia (finasteride) prescription notes make for interesting reading and cover much research - such as in one study of over 3000 men, 4 on propecia developed breast cancer while 0 on the placebo did. However, in another study of over 3000 men, no propecia users developed it, while I think 2 on the placebo did. Does seem to be swings and roundabouts.

fabulous.

xandrox + minox

xandrox is 15% minoxidil so why take both?

I think its a good idea to start off with 5% minox and then add in stronger doses through the years (i.e. xandrox 15%).

What would happen if a man put it on his chest?

DHT works in different ways when it comes to the hair on your head and the hair on your body. While DHT is responsible for losing the hair on your scalp, its also responsible fro growing facial/body hair. Juan Tare, I believe you would actually lose body hair if you applied Rogaine on your chest.

Breast enlargenment after Proscar/ propecia... that is a new one...
I've never had any problems with Proscar after using it for more than 2 years with excellent results.

Hmmmm...I have been taking Propecia for many years now and maybe thats why I have developed a bit of gynecomastia (males breasts).

But its more likely because of taking Elavil and Zoloft, for about 10 years, that I have gained bodyfat in the breast/pec region:

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any more opinions?

thanks for all the info.
i really appreciate your sharings!!

great thread, im 21 and noticed my hair is receding and getting thin fairly quickly, its such a bummer when this happens and your young.

im using nizoral but its early days so i dont if its having any effect, but i was thinking about Propecia as it seems to definitely work but the side effects worry me.
i can live with a low sex drive, but man breasts (what the hell is that?!) and permenant problems i cant.
Is it possible to take one every 2 days? As taking one every single day seems a bit too much and can never be good for you, so much drug taken everyday.

Hi Guys. I started going bald when I was about 18. It totally flipped me out so I made what I think was a pretty good job in my research to combating my problem.

I dont think anyone here has mentioned the Laser Comb (Lazer Comb). Look it up and check it out, do abit of research on that.

I know someone here mentioned finasteride is the active ingredient in proscar and propechia. Correct, you can buy finasteride (5mg) from here {removed}. Its about £20 (UK pounds) for 60. I cut one finasteride pill up into quarters, so each quarter delivers just over 1mg of finasteride which is comparable to propechia.

There are books available to us all on {removed}. The one I bought is called 'The Bald Truth' by Spencer David Kobren. It helps to understand what it is you are trying to fight against.

In shot, alot of PROSTATE treatments are also helpful in the fight against baldness.

Herbal remedies which can help hairloss & prostates include; Saw Palmetto (85%-95 sterols), Pygeum, Stinging Nettle (which intesifies the effects of Pygeum), a chinese herb called Ho Shou Wu, ZINC which is very important... And also, Green Tea. I drink Japanese green tea, one which is renound for its health benefits. Green Tea has a simillar chemical compound to anti cancer drugs and should not be drank in large amounts (no amounts atall i would say) by pregnent women. The book which i mentioned before explains more about all of these natural remedies and exactly how they work and have performed in clinical trials.


Now hear this. Bladness in men is on the increase. Basicly, the increase is down to modern living. We eat so much crap, and do so very very little exersize these days. General overall fitness and health is a big plus toward helping control baldness, and well, pretty much everything else. Indeed, doctors in the far eastern countries have noticed an increase in baldness in men. Why? becasue they are becoming more westernised, living and eating more western like foods (red meats like beef for example).

To me, watching myself go bald was as good as watching one of my arms gradualy wither and drop off. It can be an extremely traumatising time for a man (just as much as it is for a women), it certainly was for me. I feel for all men who are going bald, and as such, want to try and help them to do something about it. Lets all help each other and post what did and didnt work for them. And if you get all your hair back, dont just spend all your time skipping around in feilds of poppys singing yayy, ive got hair, make sure you visit messageboards like this one and tell everyone about it, how you did it, where you got a good deal on your herbs and dugs, becasue people like you have a habbit of forgeting about the rest of us when all of a sudden 'your alright jack'.

All the best...