How will finasteride impact muscle gains? I have heard so many things. some say it will improve because of the increase in testorone, i have also heard it can decrease because of higher estrogen levels. And have also read because of the higher estrogen you can store fat in the glutens and thigh areas, is this all true?

Propecia was once banned by in the Olympics and some professional sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency, because it supposedly masked the use of steroids and due to similar theories that you point out, but I would doubt that finasteride will produce significant performance or muscle mass gains. Nowadays, Propecia is not banned in the Olympics or any professional sports to my knowledge.

The various info you’ve read online are prime examples of how there is so much disinformation on the Internet.

I am from India. I am experiencing hair fall since 8 months. With doctors advice i started using finpecia and minoxidil 5% solution from the month of october. Initially there is a substantial reduction in hairfall. But minoxidil solution is creating itching and irritating sensation on my crown area. so i stopped using it in the month of january but continuing finpecia regularly. Since hairfall again started i started using minoxidil solution too.

I read in finpecia reviews that there will be a shedding phase after 3 or 4 months. now its the 5th month and it started shedding, Is it the so called ‘shedding phase’ while using finpecia? When it will stop. Please tell me. I am 22 years old and i am tensed about loosing may hair before 30’s.

Generally, you do not have a shedding phase with finasteride 1mg (Propecia) use. Finpecia is a generic Propecia sold in India and manufactured by Cipla. I have been asked about finasteride shedding on occasion from readers, but I believe this is misinformation. The initial shedding is from topical minoxidil (Rogaine) and it is a well known phenomenon. The scalp irritation is also a well known issue for some who use minoxidil.

I cannot tell you when or if your hair loss will stop. I am not your doctor nor have I examined you to determine what your diagnosis or prognosis may be. You need to find a doctor who can examine you and recommend possible treatments. The drugs may give you few more years with hair or slow down the hair loss, but it never completely stops it (there is no cure).

Dear Doctor.
I am a 34 year old male with slightly receding temples and full hair on the rest of my head who has been taking 1mg Propecia daily for almost exactly 4 years with good results (no regrowth but no extra balding). Over the last year I had 2 blood tests that have shown an increased level of creatinine (not creatine). I mentioned to my GP this could be from propecia use. He suggested I quit the drug for 2 weeks and have another blood test to see if there are any changes. So I have two questions for you:

1: are you aware of any increase in creatinine in the blood from propecia use?

2: will quitting for 2 weeks affect my hair loss/growth

Many thanks in advance.

Stopping Propecia for 2 weeks should not impact your hair loss/growth significantly, if at all.

In general, elevated levels of creatinine is a non-specific measurement of the state of your kidney function. It is VERY important that you follow up with your doctor for this. You may have other serious medical issues unrelated to Propecia, since Propecia is a drug that is metabolized primarily by your liver (not kidney). I would not expect Propecia to affect your kidney function or creatinine levels.

Hello Dr. Rassman,

First, I just want to state that I have been a follower of your blog for years. I am a fan of your work.

I have a question for you in regards to Propecia. Five years ago, I bought Propecia online. I started to take it once a day, and I suffered from enormous pains in my left testicle. After a few weeks, I stopped taking the drug. I bought this online without a prescription. Guys, do not buy your drugs online without a prescription!

This pain has lingered for a long time. I went to my family physician, and he prescribed me Proscar cut into quarters. I have been taking this for two years and it has halted my hair loss. I am very thin on my head, kind of like your SMP patients once they have completed the procedure. I clip my hair very short and it does not look bad.

However, I still have this pain in my left testicle. Now it hurts in my bladder area. I have taken 12 prescriptions, have been treated for epidydimitis, etc. I have done scrotal, rectal, kidney ultrasounds as well as a CT scan on that area. The specialists have found nothing wrong with me.

However, I still have pain, so here is my question: I know left testicle pain is a side effect of Propecia. Do you know what else I could do to track down this pain? I stopped the Propecia for two weeks and I still had the pain. So either way I have pain, I might as well keep taking it. I feel a throbbing pain in my left testicle and it burns.

If you could give me any advice I would appreciate it! Thanks.

You are reporting a urological problem, so finding a good urologist is critically important as your source of information. Although testicular pain has been reported with the use of finasteride, one should rule out (as you have done with your GP and the above tests) the presence of other conditions that cause testicular pain.

Of course you should discuss changes in your medication with your prescribing doctor… but in general, stopping the drug is a good first step. The stoppage should not cause catch-up hair loss for 2 months or so. So in another month you will know the relationship between your pain and the drug once it is stopped.