Puffy Areola from Propecia?

Dear Dr. Rassman,

Before talking to my doctor I wanted to get your idea on my problem because of your expertise. I am 31 years old guy who had HT four and half months ago.I have been on 0.5mg propecia per day almost 2 months. The amount of shedding during this period has been incredible. I just got what people mean when they talk about propecia shedding. From your blog I know that this is a very good sign that propecia is indeed working. My problem is with “puffy areola”; I have always had a little bit gynecomastia, but it was not disturbing and when I put on weight it was just little bit noticeable. But I never had “puffy areola” which I have now and makes gynecomastia more visible. I believe that propecia will do a great work on my head and I don’t want to quit it. Here are my questions;

1. Is puffy areola a symptom of developing larger male breasts if I continue to propecia or will it remain as puffy areola? (which is more bearable)
2. What if I reduce the amount of propecia from 0.5mg/day to 0.5mg/every-next-day do you think propecia will still work for me and not cause this side effect?
3. I have had a quite amount of shedding during this period. If I quit propecia completely does this mean I lost them forever or will they grow back and I will lose them in time?

Regards

1. I would not know about your areola problem without examining you myself. A doctor must have prescribed Propecia to you, so you should go back and see that doctor. Small amounts of weight gain do produce changes in the male breast, more in some men than others.
2. With regard to dosing adjustments, get that from your doctor and you can read some of my previous posts on the subject — here, here, and here.
3. If you stop Propecia and you had benefits, you will get “catch-up” hair loss. For more on that, see here, here, and here.