In the News – Finasteride Makes Prostate Cancer Screening More Reliable

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /,

Snippet from the article:

Men being screened for prostate cancer can dramatically reduce their risk of unnecessary treatment by taking an already-approved drug, a new study shows.

Although doctors still hotly debate the value of prostate screening, most agree that the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test leads some men to be “overdiagnosed” and even “overtreated,” because it detects many tumors that won’t ever turn deadly.

Many men are unaware that some prostate tumors — while technically malignant — are essentially harmless, growing too slowly to ever cause trouble in their lifetimes. Men are actually better off if these tumors are never found, says Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.

Read the rest — Drug makes PSA screening test more reliable

This is a seven year study of 19,000 men that showed taking finasteride makes the PSA test much more accurate.

The article goes on to say that the study found that “men on finasteride were 43% less likely to be diagnosed with a ‘low-grade’ prostate cancer — the kind most likely to lead to unnecessary treatment“, though there was no difference in survival rates between those that took finasteride and those that took the placebo.

Tags: prostate, psa, finasteride, proscar, propecia, hairloss, hair loss, prostate specific antigen

Is Tetracycline Causing My Female Hair Loss?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /,

I’m 17 years old female. I have been taking tetracycline for about 2 months for acne and have recently noticed a fair amount of hair falling out of my head when i wash/dry/brush it. This has been happening for about 3/4 weeks. I just wanted to know if there’s a link to it and if i stop taking it will my hair be okay? I’m really worried. I haven’t noticed that its going very thin, or any bald patches.

The relationship between tetracycline and hair loss is known, though rare. If the only change in your medication schedule over the two months was tetracycline and the hair loss started with this drug, then there may be an association between the two. Speak to your doctor about this problem and possible alternatives to tetracycline.

Tags: tetracycline, female hair loss, hairloss, hair loss

Press Release – iGrow LLLT Helmet Receives FDA Clearance

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /

Snippet from the press release:

Apira Science, Inc. recently earned 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its iGrow® Hair Growth System, which is indicated to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V. The iGrow is currently available by prescription only.

Read the rest — Apira Science’s iGrow In-Home, Hands-Free Hair Growth System Earns FDA Clearance

Just another low level light laser. There must be money in selling these! Remember, FDA clearance is different from FDA approval. All this is saying is that this can be sold because it is safe, not that it is effective.

Tags: lllt, laser, hair laser, igrow, fda

After 5 Years on Propecia, I Noticed One Corner of My Hairline Was Slightly Thinner

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /,

I been on Propecia for 5 years. I’m almost 27 years old. I have early front hair loss especially thin corners. Up until a few days ago my hair looked just the same like 5 years but now I noticed my left corner got slightly thinner it’s easy to tell there. I know Propecia can’t hold hair forever and since I noticed this slight loss will it continue again and fast or may it be a slow process? I read a lot of guys used Propecia for years and once the effects weaned off they would lose hair super fast. I don’t want that to happen so I’m strongly considering to switching to Avodart and try to save what I have because I still have a full head of hair.

I realize many men take Propecia to treat the front hairline thinning, but it generally rarely works for that area. Propecia works mainly for the thinning on the top/crown area.

Please speak with your doctor regarding stopping or starting any medication. Stopping Propecia abruptly can potentially cause “catch up” hair loss. Almost every week, I see a patient who told me that they tried stopping the drug or ran out of supplies of it for a few months. In every case the patient lost hair, and most of the time it did not come back upon restarting the medication.

Finally, Avodart (dutasteride) does not work any better than Propecia at the hairline since the mechanism of action is similar. At some point you may have to face that hair loss is genetic and there is no simple answer.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, avodart, dutasteride, hairloss, hair loss

Could Using Baking Soda Instead of Shampoo Interact with Minoxidil Foam?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hi Dr. Rassman,

What are your thoughts on the “No Poo” method of washing your hair, that is using baking soda, rather than commercial shampoos?

I recently tried this and liked the heavier texture it gave my otherwise fine, thinning hair. After about a month, however, I feel my hair looks thinner. Do you think the extra build up of oils could actually cause an issue with the hair follicle? I use minoxodil foam as well- could there be some reaction?

It could be my imagination, but I think I’ll just take the blue pill on this one and go back to regular shampoo. Still interested in your opinion though!

I honestly don’t have a clue. I don’t recall ever reading anything about minoxidil and baking soda having any interaction issues, nor have I had any patients tell me that was their regimen. If it works for you, then it works for you. If the baking soda isn’t giving you the desired texture, I guess you can go back to shampoo. I don’t have an opinion on this one!

Tags: shampoo, baking soda, hair texture

Is Rogaine Hair Growth Just Temporary?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I read that hair only grows for 48 weeks w/ the use of Rogaine Foam 5% (according to an article published by FDA on site called ASKWEBDR) . If this is true why would anyone go thru this routine for temporary hair for just 48 weeks? Doesn’t make any sense????

No, that doesn’t make sense. Rogaine (minoxidil) can work for years. There was apparently a clinical study that lasted 48 weeks, but that doesn’t mean the hair loss restarts at the start of week 49. We addressed this years ago here.

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, hairloss, hair loss

I’m Not Sure if Finasteride or Oxycodone is Causing My Erectile Dysfunction

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I am a 23 year old male currently taking 1mg finasteride daily. I am about 16 days into taking the drug and have recently noticed some of the sexual side effects that this drug “may” cause.

I am also on oxycodone for a current procedure I had done which might be the cause of my erectile dysfunction I am having. I don’t know which is to blame right now. I know you have stated before that one could take .5mg to cut down on the side effects which I just started to do today to see if it cuts down on the side effects. My question is by doing so is there a large decrease in the effectiveness of the drug?

Another question is if I do not regain the ability to have a lasting erection for sexual intercourse should I immediately stop the use of Propecia? Since I was on oxycodone I want to give the .5mg of finasteride a shot for at least week and if things don’t get better I guess I will go from there.

You need to speak to a doctor in person (face to face) about these issues. There may be many things going on that I cannot assess via the web. A physical exam and a detailed medical history is an important part of assessing a medical issue.

Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction in about 1 to 2% of the patients. A narcotic such as oxycodone will also cause erection problems. I even think pain in general (because of your surgery and the need to be on a strong pain medication) can cause erection problems.

To answer the first question though, the efficacy of the finasteride should be about 80% if the dosage is down to 0.5mg. Talk to your prescribing doctor about any dosage changes to your prescription medication.

Tags: finasteride, propecia, oxycodone, erectile dysfunction

My Doctor Prescribed a 5mg Proscar Tablet Each Week for My Hair Loss

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

My doctor prescribed me 5mg Proscar tablets for my hair loss, but told me to take one each week. I’m a bit worried since I see most people cut it into 1mg daily doses. Would this influence the effectiveness of the finasteride or its side effects?
Thanks

There have been tendencies more recently to change the dosage schedules for finasteride. One of them is to take only one 5mg pill each week, while other suggest alternative day dosages of 2.5mg. Some people suggest that even a lower dose might work. All of this varies from the known, tried and true 1mg/day dose, which is what I recommend.

I can not tell you if the alternative approaches work as well or work at all. If you’re concerned, I’d ask your doctor about why he decided to prescribe this dosage instead of the recommended daily approach.

Tags: finasteride, propecia, hairloss, hair loss

My Hair Looked Great 3 Months After Starting Finasteride and Minoxidil — Then It Stopped

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hello. I am 50. I had thinning hair and a year ago undertook a program with finasteride and minoxidil. In three months my hair was healthier and thicker. I had no side effects. In the past three weeks I have noticed a thinning again. I wonder what is going on here. I have been assiduous in taking the treatment.

Many thanks

You must always remember that genetic hair loss in men is a progressive process. I see changes in people who are on finasteride that indicate that over time the drug is less effective. That could be you, even on this short time fame. Stay the course.

Tags: finasteride, minoxidil, rogaine, propecia, hairloss, hair loss

Viviscal and Horsetail Extract

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hello Dr. Rassman,

I’m 23 and beginning to develop a receding hairline. I have recently started to take Viviscal. I know you don’t rate it highly however I’m in the early stages of hair loss and am not keen on going down the route of prescription drugs yet. My question is regarding the safety of viviscal as it contains 30mg horsetail extract which has been deemed unsafe by the FDA. Should I discontinue use of the supplement because of this?

As far as I am aware, when taken orally horsetail extract might cause a thiamine deficiency over time. I don’t know what it might do to be unsafe as a topical, nor do I know that the FDA deemed it unsafe. Viviscal is sold over the counter in many large pharmacy chains, so I would expect if there was a safety issue, it would be pulled from shelves.

That said, the efficacy is something I’d be equally concerned about, since you’re wasting time and money as your hair loss progresses before you realize that this treatment likely isn’t helping. You’re in the early stages of hair loss, and time is ticking.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, viviscal

If I Have an Increased Libido After Starting Finasteride, Will It Decrease Later?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Doctor,

I’ve been on finasteride 1mg oral daily for the last one month. I’m experiencing slight but noticeable increase in my libido. Do studies or experience show any correlation between increase in libido at early stage of treatment to a later decrease below the normal? I’ll be grateful for an answer, knowing this finasteride paranoia must be annoying you.

The published material on the subject of increased libido is much more limited than the published material on decreased libido, which was calculated to be present in about 2% of men.

I do not know what will happen with your increased libido over time. It may return more to your normal levels, similar to some patients who experience decreased libido over a few months.

Tags: libido, hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride

Did Accutane Cause My Premature Graying?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hi. I’m a male, 18 years old. When I was 16-17 I was on a Accutane for 7-8 months to help with my acne.

My skin cleared out, but recently I discovered some white hairs around on my head, still, you have to go up close to see them. But I am afraid it will continue to progress. Do you think accutane in some way could have done this? Or am I just a victim of premature graying? My mother started turning gray in her late 20s.

The white hairs are completely white. I found one hair that the oldest half was my normal brown color, and the newest half was completely white, 4 cm white, and about 4cm brown.

It could be genetics, but there is a known connection between the drug Accutane (isotretinoin) and hair loss, and even graying of the hair. Knowing that, the simple solution may be just to dye your hair.

Speak to your doctor before you abandon the drug.

Tags: gray hair, accutane, isotretinoin

In the News – Vitamin Supplement Contained Anabolic Steroids, Causing Impotence

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

Snippet from the article:


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about vitamins sold from a Long Island-based company.

At least 29 people were sickened by Purity First Health Products’ B-50 vitamin supplement because of traces of anabolic steroids, the FDA said. The product is sold in stores and online.

Candice Tripp, the owner of the company which is headquartered in East Northport, told WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall she has been in business for over 20 years and finds it hard to believe the product was dangerous.

Read the rest — FDA Says 29 People Sickened By Vitamin Supplements From L.I.

The article has a local slant to it since it appeared in the CBS New York website, but the product was sold over the web to people all over the US and marketed as a vitamin while containing the steroids methasterone (a controlled substance) and dimethazine.

Apparently the company refused to recall the supplements, even though some people “experienced fatigue, muscle cramping, and muscle pain” according to the FDA. The article continues — “Additionally, women reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and men reported impotence and findings of low testosterone, the FDA said.”

Tags: vitamins, supplements, steroids, testosterone

I Don’t Think I Am Losing Hair, But Now My Scalp is Shiny Under Lights — Could It Just Be Oily?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I have a question about fine vs thin hair. I am 32 and have very VERY wispy fine sandy blonde hair with an intact juvenile hairline. I don’t *think* it’s thinning as I have no shedding issues. But since I got a lousy haircut recently, I notice my scalp looks shiny under bright lights or the sun and it is making me paranoid. Some people say that scalp shine means hair has been lost, while the hairdresser advised me to use a medicated shampoo since it is extremely oily. Does this sound like thinning or does it seem more like a combination of hair cleanliness and natural texture? Thank you.

I believe “tow heads” was what we used to call those boys with fine, blonde, nearly see-through hair. As these boys become men, they may sooner or later recognize the see-through nature of their hair. If you are concerned, come see me or another good doctor and find out what your hair loss problem is, if you have one.

Scalp shine doesn’t necessarily mean your hair is falling out. It could be lighting, oily scalp, a combination of everything. I have no idea without seeing you, though.

Tags: fine hair, oily scalp, hairloss, hair loss

I’m Seeing Patches In My Beard That Contain Less Hair Than the Rest of My Facial Hair

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

hi,
I’ve been seeing some empty patches in my beard lately. They are not fully bald spots, but in fact there are some hairs in them. They just contains less hair than the rest of my beard. I also have one on my chest. So what do you suggest i can do? Thank you so much for your help

Sorry, but there is no way for me to ascertain what is going on on your face and chest hair without seeing you. My suggestion is that you see a doctor for an examination.

What you’re describing could be caused by a wide variety of things from allergy to infection to stress to medication, etc.

Tags: body hair, hairloss, hair loss, thinning hair, beard