Problems with Propecia — Are Doctors Lying to Make a Buck?
Are you telling the truth? Please doctor, help me! I feel like there’s something the propecia company and doctors are not telling us. I have experienced worse hairloss due to propecia. I used to be able to pull out a few stray hairs and my hairline was slightly receding. Similar to many patients I’ve seen post on your site, now I’m balding all over and I can pull out about 15 hairs at time. What’s the real deal. Are doctors lying to us to make a buck? I feel like it can’t be an issue besides mpb for all these men that have taken the drug and then experienced worse hair loss! It’s been about 6 months for me. Should I just forget about the drug and quit? Thank you for your time! I’m trying to see a doctor, but they’re all booked for months. I’d really appreciate in your input.
The medication finasteride (Propecia) is proven to decrease the rate of hair loss in most young men and in some cases increase the density and bulk of the scalp hair in the crown and top of the head. This is based on several clinical studies. Some patients may experience increased shedding in the first few months of its use, which usually stops spontaneously. I generally examine my patients before starting them on finasteride. Could you have some other cause of hair loss (other than pure genetic patterned balding)?
The miniaturization study is the best method of assessing the effectiveness of medical treatment as opposed to subjective self-evaluation by the patient. My suggestion to you is to see a good hair transplant doctor to document your miniaturization status and repeat this study every 6 to 12 months while on the medication. You needs numbers placed on the miniaturization process so that you can see from any point in time where you are and where you were.
I had the same problem with shedding. It was extreme and very persistent, even after I had stopped taking the medication for 3 months. I saw a good trichologist in NYC and was told I had a mild case of telogen effluvium. This may be what you have. I just don’t know whether it is worth staying on the med in the hope that it will stop and you will begin to get the benifits. That’s a call I believe nobody knows 100% for sure. I have now taken a more natural route. With 1000mg of beta sitosterol per day, high lignan flax, low sugar and fat diet, good exercise in the mornings. It may be a weaker fight against hair loss than the available drugs, but it’s better than doing nothing at all. Good luck and know that you’re not alone out there.