June 2012 in “Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature”
Six new risk spots for early hair loss were found, which also link to Parkinson's disease and lower fertility. Two genes, FOXA2 and HDAC4, could be new treatment targets. Hair loss might also be connected to heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and prostate cancer.
The conversation discusses the impact of finasteride on sperm, including potential side effects like decreased ejaculate volume and total sperm count. Users share experiences and concerns about fertility tests before and after starting finasteride.
Topical dutasteride is considered for hair loss, but concerns about systemic absorption and side effects like reduced libido are common. Users have mixed results, with some preferring oral finasteride or dutasteride despite side effects, while others find topical treatments beneficial but challenging.
A user plans to stop Dutasteride to conceive a child, seeking advice on hair maintenance. Suggestions include switching to Finasteride, but many emphasize prioritizing child safety.
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.