Taking Finasteride at 46 Years Old

1) Would someone who is 46 and starting to thin on top benefit from finasteride? I have read, possibly on this site, that it works better on individuals under 35.

2) I have read that DHT aids with libido and regulating estrogen. That seems to explain why Gyno and sexual dysfunction are side effects. However, I noticed in one of your responses you mentioned “You do not wipe out 70% of DHT, you just block 70% at the hair follicle level”. If finasteride does not reduce DHT but simply block’s it at the hair follicle level, then why is testosterone and estrogen raised when on finasteride? Also, why would Gyno and sexual dysfunction be side effects at all?

3) Since estrogen can rise on finasteride, would it make since to use with an estrogen blocker or at least monitor estrogen levels on a regular basis to ensure they are not raised significantly?

Three questions for the price of one.

I don’t see a problem with starting finasteride at 45 years or older, but the impact on hair that is not fragile isn’t as great. That is why it works so well in young men as the hair loss process is most active below the age of 30.

I do not see a value of using an estrogen blocker. There are feedback loops in the body that I do not understand. Competitive inhibition (blocking) DHT function occurs all over the body, but I only know of the hair effects. There are strong suggestions that DHT blockage could have many other undocumented side effects and people who report not feeling normal (mental brain function) could be impacted by this DHT blocking effect as well.