I Can’t Handle Propecia!

Hello Dr. Rassman,

This is without a doubt the best hair loss site on the web. I have learnt a lot over the last year or so. I really hope you can find the time to answer my questions.

I am 28 and have noticed that my hairline has receded on either side of the widows peak and even the widows peak looks thinner and see through now than it did 3-4 years ago (when I believe the changes started). I can feel my hair has thinned in a norwood 3a pattern although this is not noticable to others yet.

My question is regarding propecia. I have tried to take it but no matter how little a dose I tried I had the same side effects (low libido and erectile dysfunction). I tried 1mg daily, 0.5mg daily, 0.5mg every other day and 0.25mg daily but just could not adjust to it. What would be your suggestion for me and others in my situation as I would really like to try and combat the hair loss? I have been using minoxidil but is there anything else I can do as I really can’t handle propecia?

Also with regard to balding patterns you have said that the final balding patterns become evident for young men that start losing their hair early but as mine started at 24-25 when would you expect my final pattern to be evident as it is not obvious yet but I can only guess at a Norwood 3a as the hair still feels very thick past this point?

I would really appreciate if you could take the time to answer my questions. Thanks

Compliments will get you a long way with me, but not long enough to solve your Propecia (finasteride) problem. While I don’t know how long you were on the medication before each of your dosing changes, you could just be one of the men who just can’t tolerate even a small dose. Minoxidil is likely your only other option, aside from perhaps a hair transplant. You indicated that you’re in the UK, so I’d get yourself followed by a good doctor like Dr. Bessam Farjo, who is located in your area.

It’s really difficult to say when your final pattern would be evident without any real history to look back on. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any kind of realistic estimate on when your hair loss will stop.