I get a good family history and try to match the patient’s hair loss pattern with his family history. Then I mark where the patient is in his hair loss process, usually deploying the HAIRCHECK instrument test (https://baldingblog.com/haircheck-test-how-it-is-done-video/). Then I discuss the various options that are age related. Many of the men under 25, who may be balding and wanting a hair transplant, I discuss the need to delay such decisions and offer the various treatment options such a minoxidil and/or finasteride. Then I see the patient yearly to find out the effectiveness of the treatment and may make adjustments. Once the man has passed 25-26, I may or may not discuss the hair transplant option. Throughout this process, I develop a relationship with the patient so we get to know each other and I learn and understand who he/she is, what their concerns are and acting like a doctor, do the things that good doctors do, that show concern about the course that the hair loss undergoes during this period, year to year.

That would not make sense to me. One or the other is the way to go. If the oral is working for you, don’t switch as the expense is considerably different.

Would my weight loss be due to a hormonal shift brought about by losing weight and thus speeding up the MPB?

I am not sure about the mechanism, but what you are suggesting is possible.  Weight loss that is rapid often triggers male pattern balding but rapid weight loss itself, can cause hair loss in many people.

Dr. Rassman’s Comments:  I saw Dr. Insalaco present these findings at a meeting last month in the United Kingdom. About 200 hair restoration surgeons attended the meeting. Her results (combining Finasteride and minoxidil in a drug formulation) was very impressive, reversing hair loss in various parts of the scalp over an 18 month period of time.  Patient compliance was high and what was most interesting was that there were no sexual side effects reported in her 300 test population. I was so enthusiastic about this, that I asked her to write a short article for this blog.  Based upon her work, I will start prescribing it to my patients who request it. For more information on this, please read more info on Topical Finasteride Consultations.

Personal experience with Local Finasteride

Chiara Insalaco, MD, PhD

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Hair Restoration Specialist

Rome, Italy

Finasteride, a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound, is an antiandrogen which acts by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts Testosterone to       Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It works by partly blocking the body’s production of the male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge and in those with genetic balding, it is the hormone that induces hair loss.

In December 22nd 1997, the FDA approved finasteride (Propecia®) to treat male pattern hair loss.

Clinical Studies for PROPECIA® (finasteride 1 mg) in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss shows that 3,8% of men experienced sexual adverse problems:

1.Decreased libido

2.Erectile Disfunction

3.Ejaculation Disorders

In 2011 the U.S. FDA conducted  a post marketing evaluation of reported case of persistent sexual dysfunction after finasteride discontinuation.  Of the 2527 cases, from 1997 to 2011, the FDA identified 59 reported cases of Sexual Disfunction (2.3% of cases) that lasted 3 or more months after Finasteride Discontinuation. FDA has required Merck to revise the Propecia label to disclose the post marketing sexual adverse events.

Shortly after Merck revised its label, THOUSANDS ( perhaps hundreds of thousands) of websites claim that Propecia and Finasteride cause erectile dysfunction and loss of libido; however, the drug has be used by millions of men, so that it was hard to connect the relationship when looking at the FDA 2.3% incidence of sexual side effects figure.

In Italy, in order to overcome the problem we came up with a new topical formulation

The aim was to achieve:

1. Maximum absorption through the epidermal layer of the scalp
2. Minimize the systemic absorption

The first study about topical finasteride is Italian and it was made in 1997:  Mazzarella, G., Loconsole, G., Cammisa, G., Mastrolonardo, G. and Vena, G. (1997). Topical finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia. Preliminary evaluations after a 16-month therapy course. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 8(3), pp.189-192.  The study was a single-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-month trial carried out in 52 patients with Alopecia Areata using a topical 0.005% finasteride solution. The results showed that the clinical outcome, in terms of both hair regrowth and balding areas reduction, seems to be encouraging, and it also showed an absence of either any evidence of percutaneous absorption of finasteride producing local/systemic untoward effects. In 1997 the FDA approved Propecia® to treat AGA so the study was forgotten!

There are few different compound formulations. They are not Over-the-Counter drugs which can be purchased without a prescription. Only few pharmacies in Italy are able to make it.

The most common for used in Italy is the Finasteride Liposomal Gel.? The liposomal vehicle has a high penetration capacity through the epidermis and it’s able to keep the drug locally in the skin for long time.

• It has a good aesthetic outcome
• It doesn’t make the hair greasy

This combination has results in good patient compliance

The Milan University evaluated 300 patients treated with the Finasteride Liposomal Gel.

The result: Systemic Absorption is limited to 1/18 compared to the Oral Finasteride dose of 1mg.

In my daily practice I combine both Minoxidil and Finasteride in the same lotion in order to have the maximum result.  Before giving Local Finasteride I always request: (a) DHT (b) Testosterone levels and (c) Sperm Counts. So far none of my patients have shown any changes in these exams or reported any side effects.

There are new scientific studies showing that finasteride doesn’t cause Sexual Side Effects:

These studies suggest that:

1. Men with Alopecia may be inherently more susceptible to sexual dysfunction regardless of treatment
2. Sexual dysfunction is not uncommon in the general population regardless of alopecia status

Dr Chiara Insalaco

www.chiarainsalaco.com

Blood serum levels of DHT have no value in determining the effectiveness of finasteride.

Yes, some women can and maybe should take finasteride if they have Polycyctic Ovarian Syndrome and hair loss or Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (an autoimmune disease which causes hair loss in women). It should NOT be taken by women who have hair loss and might get pregnant as it can cause fetal hermaphrodites which is a high risk for women taking finasteride when getting pregnant.  See article here:  https://www.mdlinx.com/journal-summaries/finasteride-hair-loss-hirsutism-dermatologic-alopecia/2019/02/06/7556054/?spec=dermatology

Started FIN 1 year ago. Started to get watery semen straight away. Was told this would fix itself but it’s been like that for the whole year. (I take 0.5mg per day btw). I also started to get painful ejaculation. This would hurt more the longer I went without sex or masturbation. Everyone here told me that there was no way this could be FIN and that it was just coincidence. I went to Doctors and all sorts of stuff, and ruled out infections etc and then from reading, there was the possibility of some sort of prostatis which was concerning as from reading the prostate sub, that can be really hard to treat!

I eventually decided to stop taking FIN a few weeks back and the pain has now gone! It definitely was the fin. Watery semen still remains. I’m glad that that’s what it was, though. I now need to decide whether to hop back on fin. I can live with the painful ejaculation as long as I don’t go too long without ‘release’ (that’s when it REALLY hurts!) and now that I know that it’s nothing long term or serious and that I can stop it by stopping the drug, there is less worry. Tempted to hold off too so see whether the watery semen ever fixes itself!!

Stopping finasteride often solves side effect within a month or so. You might want to see your family doctor who can refer you to a urologist to find out if you have some problem.