Prolonged Treatment with Finasteride (a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor) Does Not Affect Bone Density and Metabolism

A 25-year-old is using 1.25mg finasteride six times a week and 5% topical minoxidil daily for hair loss. They are experiencing reduced libido and erectile issues, possibly due to stress, and are questioning if the finasteride dosage is affecting DHT suppression.

A 22-year-old male experiencing diffuse hair thinning has been using finasteride, initially at 0.5mg and then 1mg daily, but sees no improvement. Despite correcting a vitamin D deficiency and noticing some new hair growth, he questions the effectiveness of finasteride.

Finasteride helps with hair loss by lowering DHT levels in the scalp, which is more important than blood DHT levels. If finasteride is not effective, consulting a doctor or considering switching to dutasteride may be advisable.

A 25-year-old male experienced significant hair regrowth after one year of using 0.5mg daily finasteride, with plans to add 1.25mg oral minoxidil and microneedling for further improvement. He also uses Nizoral shampoo weekly and reports no current side effects.

A 19-year-old used a 0.01% topical finasteride formula, which unexpectedly lowered DHT levels significantly. They are considering reducing the dose further and exploring alternatives like ketoconazole shampoo, KX826, and CB to manage hair loss while minimizing systemic absorption.

Finasteride is the most effective treatment for reducing DHT and addressing hair loss compared to fish oil and saw palmetto. Topical treatments like RU58841 and minoxidil are also discussed, but finasteride remains the most effective option.