Potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride. Users debate risks, benefits, and personal experiences with these hair loss treatments.
Hair loss treatments, specifically 5AR inhibitors, can impact neurosteroids and sexual health. The effects of topical fin/dut on tissue-specific DHT levels are unclear.
Finasteride can cause sexual side effects in less than 2% of men, but these often disappear over time, even if the treatment continues. Some users report persistent side effects, while others experience no issues or only temporary ones.
The conversation discusses the side effects of finasteride, including low libido and erectile dysfunction, and the possibility of these effects being permanent, known as post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Some users report personal experiences with PFS and debate whether the condition is real, with varying opinions on the reversibility of side effects and the role of individual biology.
The side effects of taking finasteride as a treatment for hair loss, with particular focus on its sexual and psychiatric side effects; research has indicated that there are high and low outliers in terms of prevalence of sexual side effects, but it is usually between 3-5%, while evidence of lasting sexual side effects comes from lower quality sources.
The post and conversation are about the use of oral Minoxidil (Min), Finasteride (Fin), and RU58841 for hair loss treatment, with mixed opinions on their safety and effectiveness.
Long term Finasteride users and whether or not they have noticed improvements after two years of use, with other treatments such as Minoxidil and dermarolling also discussed. Some replies suggest that improvement is possible even beyond the two year mark while others caution against believing studies backed by the Post-Finasteride Foundation.
A user started taking finasteride three months ago to treat hair loss and unexpectedly cleared their acne, which they had been struggling with since age 12. The conversation includes others sharing their experiences with finasteride, its effects on acne and hair loss, and mentions a related treatment, clascoterone, for acne and hair loss.
A 22-year-old male experienced hair loss potentially linked to escitalopram, which stopped after switching to vortioxetine. His depressive symptoms improved with continued treatment.
Dutasteride may have fewer side effects than finasteride, with some users experiencing better hair maintenance. Experiences vary, with some preferring dutasteride for fewer side effects, while others see no significant hair improvement.
Dutasteride at 0.5 mg/day does not significantly alter allopregnanolone levels, but higher doses (2.5 mg/day) do. Dutasteride may also have anti-neuroinflammatory effects, but the impact on neurosteroids is still debated.
Finasteride not only inactivates the 5a reductase enzyme but also affects the 5b reductase enzyme in a dose-dependent manner, which can impact sexual behavior and brain activity. The user experienced significant hair regrowth and side effects on 1mg of finasteride, which diminished after reducing the dose to 0.5mg, leading to no side effects and further hair improvement.
Topical finasteride results in plasma levels 100 times lower than oral finasteride, potentially reducing systemic side effects. Users report similar efficacy with fewer side effects, suggesting a preference for topical application.
A user shared their 9-month post-hair transplant results with 4600 grafts, using only Nourkin hair vitamins, Vitamin D, and B12, and expressed satisfaction. The replies debated the necessity of medications like finasteride and minoxidil for maintaining hair health.
The conversation is about managing allopregnanolone deficiency caused by 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride or dutasteride. Specific treatments discussed for hair loss include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
A user has been using minoxidil for hair loss and has seen positive results, but is seeking additional treatments to enhance its effects. One suggestion given is to use finasteride alongside minoxidil.
The post and conversation are about a user's progress in treating hair loss using oral finasteride and topical minoxidil. The user expresses regret for not starting treatment earlier.
PCOS female visited doctor for hair loss concerns, prescribed spironolactone and minox 5%. Doctor advised against finasteride or dutasteride, user considering self-medication with dutasteride.
Topical spironolactone is gaining attention as an alternative hair loss treatment, but it's not as effective as other options like finasteride. Oral spironolactone can cause side effects in men, and there are better topical alternatives like RU, Pyril, and CB.
User switched from Fin to Dut for better hair loss results, using 0.5mg Dut and 1ml Min daily. Some discuss potential side effects and benefits of Dut compared to Fin.
Pyrilutamide, a drug in phase 3 trials in China, potentially becoming available in late 2023 or early 2024; Finasteride being used as a current treatment for hair loss; and the possibility of joining a group buy for black market versions of Pyrilutamide.
A potential new treatment for hair loss, Pyrilutamide, and the discussion of whether or not people should still be taking traditional treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride with it.
A user reports experiencing insomnia as a side effect of taking finasteride for hair loss, which takes 1 to 2 hours to fall asleep and results in only about 5 hours of sleep per night. They suspect the cause is related to the downregulation of neurosteroids due to finasteride.
The conversation discusses using zinc and iron supplements to mitigate side effects of finasteride. It also mentions that shedding is a normal part of the process and suggests a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep to support hair health.
The conversation is about a potential new hair loss treatment called Breezula CB-03-01. Users are discussing updates on its development and sharing personal experiences with making or using it.
The user has been using topical minoxidil and dermarolling for hair regrowth but is hesitant to start finasteride due to potential side effects. Many suggest adding finasteride for better results in addressing DHT-related hair loss.
Dutasteride and finasteride can affect libido differently, with some experiencing increased libido and others decreased libido or erectile dysfunction. Dutasteride may increase testosterone levels but can also cause side effects like liver enzyme changes, while topical finasteride may have fewer sexual side effects.
Finasteride can impact neurosteroids, potentially causing depression and other side effects in some users. Despite these concerns, many continue using it for hair loss, with some switching to topical applications to mitigate side effects.
The conversation discusses whether dutasteride might cause less depression than finasteride for hair loss treatment, with some users suggesting it could due to different mechanisms of action or molecular size, while others express skepticism or share personal experiences with these medications.
The conversation discusses whether to use finasteride for hair loss, considering its role in inhibiting DHT and 5AR, which can affect brain function and mood. Some users report anxiety and depression from finasteride, while others do not experience these side effects and emphasize the importance of DHT for brain and prostate health.