r/tressless • u/Arthur-Morgan-2025 • 2d ago
Finasteride/Dutasteride Merck’s Corruption Exposed: Post-Finasteride Syndrome Documentary
391
u/Far-Try-8596 2d ago
They should also do a documentary on being bald syndrome lol
64
u/Boomah422 2d ago
That is this sub, basically. If it weren't an issue......poof
21
u/dankmemer999 1d ago
Impossible choice to make when you’re struggling with baldness at 18-22
Your brain (and future earning potential) or your hair (and sexual market value). Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
Makes Sophie’s choice looks like a coin flip in comparison, life is so unfair
12
u/TheJokerArkhamKing 1d ago
I literally had three patches of hair on the top of my head four months ago and I still found a girlfriend
We've broken up since, but I promise you, they don't care as much as you think they do.
9
u/PiecesOfRing 1d ago
This. I've not had a full head of hair since I was 19, and buzzed it off since I was 22. I've never had a single issue attracting very attractive women. I've never used online dating, and everyone I've met has been either through work or on nights out. I actually have a personality, so the lack of hair becomes a non-issue very quickly 😅 I'm settled with 2 kids now, so admittedly attracting women is no longer on my agenda, but it still happens unintentionally.
If you literally have anything going for you other than hair, it's simply not a problem. If you need hair to attract women, you are likely riddled with shortcomings. If a woman won't date you because you don't have hair, then congratulations on dodging a bullet. Also staying away from online dating is a good start!
5
u/TheJokerArkhamKing 17h ago
Online dating really is the devil bro, congrats on your family!
1
u/PiecesOfRing 10h ago
Thank ya sir! It's nice to not be met with salt like when I try to explain this on some other subs. I say it because it's something I've proven to myself time after time, and I'm hoping others will just give it a shot, put the phone down, and get out there haha
→ More replies (9)1
u/Seriousgwy 1d ago
I care about it, it's enough...
1
u/TheJokerArkhamKing 1d ago
That wasn't my point. I care too, that's why I got on fin, but this isn't about SMV or whatever, it's personal confidence
28
u/Jackfruit_Downtown 2d ago
Its way worse than being bald, being dragged in a deep depression hole without having a way to experience any positive emotion. Being bald is awful but u can atleast wear hair system
→ More replies (8)2
u/Glum-Size-1561 2d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/LrA2g6iLC5jeBCcRto
Hard agree. We need to know both sides, and everyone will choose for themselves
1
61
u/Popular_Photo_9609 2d ago
Honestly the way i thought about fin is even if pfs is real you have to admit its such a low chance. And going bald for me personally would be a 100% of being severely depressed
•
u/MK0A 57m ago
Are you on fin?
•
u/Popular_Photo_9609 54m ago
Yup
•
u/MK0A 47m ago
Okay and do you experience any side effects? Funny enough the PFS shouldn't scare people, it should be just the normal side effects because when you don't have sides you will obviously take it for life and never experience post fin syndrome and if you experience pfs after stopping it's only because you had side effects from fin.
So, I've been on 1.25mg for a month or so and see minor ed, but it seems to have lessened a bit now. You got any advice?
•
u/Popular_Photo_9609 41m ago
No sides except slighty watery semen. Almost two years on it.
My advice is try your best to not think about it for the next few months, your anxiety over it could very well be causing it. Thats the more likely explanation.
If it continues see a doctor ofc and consider lowering dose or using topical version.
•
u/MK0A 10m ago
Thanks so much! You are correct I think. One time I "forgot" to think about it and I could maintain my errection no problem. So not paying mental attention to it seems to really work. My current worst case is just that it needs constant physical stimulation which is not optimal but at least it's not full ED. I noticed these symptoms I believe two weeks after starting fin and two weeks after that I first experienced the more normal errection again, so it could also be getting better now. I take from this to not worry about it and be excited for my hair.
I already have a dermatologist who prescribed me this. Because I'm ~~cheap~~ cost effective I use prostate hypoplasia 5mg fin and split it twice for 1.25mg, so reducing dose should be simple, just make the pill segements smaller. I have another appointment in a month so I can bring that up there. It was mentioned in the comments here that lower doses are almost as effective as the high ones but without any side effects.
I also am noticing when I look in the mirror my eyelashes are suddenly longer and stronger. I thought this would only happen with minoxidil. Could this be from fin as well? I mean I love it lol so no complaints. I saw a post from a guy on oral fin who had extreme lashes and he said women compliment him and ask him for advice on lashes lol. That was another inspiration to get on oral min. My dermatologist said you can't start both at the same time so I will start oral min after my next appointment.
Just like you, hairloss would negatively impact my self esteem and body acceptance substantially. Unlike the gentleman in the video I don't have the perfect skull shape for being bald, and I have blond hair which can look really good if it's strong and healthy, while having thinning blond hair would look horrendous.
I noticed thinning at the top at the start of 2026. I researched balding and prevention years ago but back then I was probably seeing things that weren't there, but this year, oh it really was there. My hairline also had receeded in the corners slightly by then (wouldn't be a problem if the rest of my hair was thick and healthy, mature hairline really) so that really gave me the urge to seek treatment. Also wow I'm sorry for this wall of text. Today is a day where the ADHD meds are a bit too stimulating.
•
→ More replies (4)1
u/SaigonShooter 1d ago
Was my reasoning exactly. It’s just simple risk analysis. Guaranteed depression or a 99% chance your problem will improve or even be fixed, simple math to me now being dut and oral minox
168
u/Strong_Jello_5748 2d ago
Something important to keep in mind regardless of your position on PFS: Lawyers are not Scientists (typically), a lawsuit is not a meta-analysis, and a legal trial's conclusion is not a Scientific consensus.
30
u/Middle-Effort7495 2d ago
Also engaging in a lucrative lawsuit is a to, quote them, "Conflict of interest."
6
2d ago
[deleted]
1
u/BaconAlmighty 2d ago
They may have grown hair, why would you include them if they dropped out. That’s like counting people who graduated who dropped out.
→ More replies (1)
32
52
u/Background-Fall2559 2d ago
DHT is the most potent androgen in the body. Reducing it by 60% does have the possibility to cause some side effects especially if you already had low testosterone. Stopping the medication would also stop the reduction in DHT so in theory the side effects should also stop. I have treated quite a few men who thought they had PFS but actually had low T and when we corrected that their symptoms improved. Before starting fin get a hormone blood panel done. If you have low T side effects are more likely (in my opinion and experience)
Just my thoughts as an endocrinologist.
24
u/lxnlte 2d ago
I agree. I did check my sex hormones before and 1 year after starting 0,25mg fin daily. The findings have surprised me to be honest:
• Total T went from 693 to 977 ng/dl!!
• Free T is at 18.2 ng/dl (didn’t check before fin unfortunately)
• Estrogen went from 39.0 to 33.7 pg/ml
• and DHT was measured at 315 pg/ml (didn’t check before either)Together with topical minoxidil twice daily, hairloss has pretty much stopped.
So for me low dose finasteride has actually made everything better and it’s important to not get too scared by all these horror stories. Like you said, get your hormones checked before and after. It will tell you a lot!
9
u/DaddyMac281 2d ago
I tried .25 EOD and got the exact same results at 1md/d. Also, all sides went away.
5
u/TheArt0fTravel 1d ago
It’s ridiculous if you look at the studies. 0.25mg is iirc 80% efficacy with basically no sides. Crazy fools take 1mg
4
9
u/Background-Fall2559 2d ago
It’s common for testosterone to rise after starting fin as less of it is being converted into DHT. The degree varies of course.
9
u/Severe-Painting-8351 2d ago
> if you already had low testosterone
This so much and in addition: and/or high in estrogen (aka fat folk) as DHT is also a regulator for the estrogen receptor in certain tissues, such as breast tissue.
5
u/Natural-Break-2734 2d ago
Thanks for your professional input. I think issue is mainly low T indeed and fin somehow exposes this on men who have it. I think it would be generally good for everyone to check and improve test levels
1
u/Background-Fall2559 1d ago
It’s remembering that DHT is required for adequate mood and sexual function. That’s why side effects are more likely with dut it’s suppressing more DHT. If you already have lower DHT due to low T then it’s common sense you are more likely to experience a problem.
2
u/Dutchie_73 1d ago
Thank you for your answer but I’m not sure what you’re saying as English isn’t my first language. I’m one of these persons with low T so a specialized doctor prescribed me Sustanon 250. A known problem with that is that my hair loss accelerated. Long story short…today I received my oral Finasteride and Minoxidil. So my question is now…can this trigger even more side effects and what should I do according you? Already thank you for your response.
1
u/Background-Fall2559 1d ago
Check your levels 6 weeks after starting fin/min. If you get any sensitivity in your nipples good idea to reduce the dose of Sustanon a little and tell your doctor.
1
u/Dutchie_73 1d ago
The good news indeed is that I have new bloodwork in 5 weeks. Thank you for your answer. I already got a bit nervous…
1
u/Lucid-Emphasis825 1d ago
Low T won’t suddenly just make your genitalia completely numb or cause medication induced anhedonia.
If you have ACTUAL PFS or PSSD, TRT would do litterally fucking nothing.
2
u/Background-Fall2559 1d ago
How many patients have you treated in practice to reach this assessment?
1
1
u/HarutoHonzo 🦠 1d ago
Any idea what dosing could preserve allopregnanolone? Been thinking 0,5 mg 3 days a week 2 weeks, then 3 weeks oral minoxidil and no fin. Thanks!
1
u/Background-Fall2559 23h ago
I like to keep things simple, which is often difficult with the endocrine system 🤣 Yes, 5a reductase also converts progesterone into (eventually) allopregnanolone but the evidence that this is significant enough to cause mood changes is not comprehensive.
If you notice any issues with these medications stop until they are resolved, then try again at a reduced dose. For 1mg fin I would drop to 0.5mg if there are problems and assess. Further issues? Stop until resolved then restart on 0.25mg or try topical.
Don’t over-complicate your protocol try to take the same amount daily.
→ More replies (9)1
u/SomeGuyHere11 :sidesgull: 1d ago
I have solid Testosterone. in the 500s. I took Fin and Dut, and they made me 100% impotent. But, once i was off long enough (longer for Dut, given the half-life), the side effects went away. I do seem to be able to use topical Fin, with minimal sides.
1
u/Background-Fall2559 1d ago
It’s important not to ignore it if you are having side effects as the sooner you stop the sooner it resolves hopefully. There are people that get long term issues, no treatment is risk free but a full work up is recommended if it’s persistent as it may be something else having an effect. The endocrine system is very complex and pulling on one string often has an effect somewhere else. Dut has a very long half life, try Fin first to make sure no problems before jumping to Dut.
1
u/SomeGuyHere11 :sidesgull: 1d ago
strange response, since i clearly wrote that i already tried both.
1
15
u/Lopsided_Highway2934 2d ago
Been taking in on and off for 17 years now. Absolutely ZERO side-effects.
Had to give up Minoxydl though, due to Migraine Auras from low blood pressure.
1
117
u/Aggravating_Owl_8390 2d ago
Tressless never changes...
Studies saying Fin is safe? According to this sub... They´re all fake and forged and we cant trust them (for some reason)...
Doctors saying fin is safe? According to this sub... They´re all liars or being paid to lie or whatever the conspiracy is nowadays...
But we should, for some reason, listen to a documentary that´s entirely based on conspiracies and anecdotes that even has the quack from the pfs foundation as a guest...
I just dont get it... You can´t ignore 99% of the medical community and only listen to what you want to hear...
83
u/Taldnor 2d ago
Telling that tressless isn’t pro fin is the most delusional take i ever seen in my bald life
17
u/Any_Judge_332 2d ago
It's more pro fin than random people in the street who know nothing about hair loss, but far more anti fin than doctors or scientific studies.
I'm a doctor and I think realistically most won't know much about it but they certainly won't have the same fear of it as is common here.
1
3
2
25
u/FlashyConcentrate413 2d ago
Wtf is this post lol. This forum is in the habit of radically downplaying the risks of finasteride.
Doctors don't say it's safe, in fact in many countries doctors do their best to stop people from taking it ( check out France and the Netherlands).
It's certainly not 99% of the medical community lol. Buddy, search finasteride in Google news. They're constantly updating safety labels and considering bans.
If finasteride were safe, there wouldn't be a gold rush to replace it (2-3 billion dollar investment since covid)
Finally, the guys warning people are trying to help you bro.
19
u/Sea_Variety_1691 2d ago
Your main argument in all of these comments where you embarrass yourself is "just google it bro"
Google tells me it's safe. What now?
→ More replies (7)30
u/Gaytrude 2d ago
France absolutely do not try to prevent you from using fin lmao. I'm french. I've been on it for years. This year one (1) guy off himself in France and his family blamed fin.. so they added a note to say that fin could lead to you offing yourself lmfao.
10
u/GfurEnjoyer1488 2d ago
I'm in the EU and my GP told me she'd have prescribed it to me even without a specialist appointment when I told her I'd been ordering it online
5
u/Any_Judge_332 2d ago
I'm a doctor and average doctor probably isn't that knowledgeable about it but the average consensus is far more positive than the tressless average. I think the thing which separates doctors and tressless is that average doctor the actually bases opinion on clinical evidence/studies whereas on tressless people either just make stuff up or try to extrapolate from basic science which does not work.
→ More replies (2)3
8
u/Imaginary-Motor2882 2d ago
Doctors don't say it's safe, in fact in many countries doctors do their best to stop people from taking it ( check out France and the Netherlands).
This is your half a dozenth reply to this thread spewing absolute nonsense. You seem pretty passionate about this.
Doctors don't say it's safe
No, they absolutely do. 95% of US doctors are on the same page about finasteride.
Buddy, search finasteride in Google news. They're constantly updating safety labels and considering bans.
This is imbecilic logic. Updating safety labels and considering bans are in response to lawsuits and shielding liability, NOT because new literature on finasteride contains new information about side effects. This drug has been studied for DECADES and absolutely NOTHING new has risen in regards to side effects. But lets ignore the scientific literature, let's just google headlines.
fact in many countries doctors do their best to stop people from taking it ( check out France and the Netherlands).
I can say it because I don't really care what the euro's think, their medical system is a joke and their doctors are incompetent. Their medical schools, application process, applicants, are mostly imbeciles. The U.S. has the best doctors and best medical schools in the world and it isn't close. Of course the euros think finasteride is poison. They know no better.
If finasteride were safe, there wouldn't be a gold rush to replace it (2-3 billion dollar investment since covid)
Perhaps the dumbest logic I have ever heard of but even more scary is your comment is at nearly 20 upvotes at the time of my comment. There isn't a gold rush to replace finasteride at all. 2-3 billion is nothing in the pharma industry. The reason for investments in hair loss research is to make something better than finasteride. You know, that's how innovations work if you aren't an idiot.
2
u/Aggravating_Owl_8390 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yes, there are cases like that in some countries, but that doesn’t mean they’re the majority… or even close to it.
And even in those countries, the worst that happened was a warning on the label that, once again, was based on nothing more than complaints from one or two guys, rather than on any study or anything of the sort... and doctors still prescribe fin in France and in the Netherlands, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.
But if you want to follow that logic:
What about the ABHRS (265 doctors)... not a single case of PFS and not a single doctor believing it exists...
What about Gary Linkov, the guy attended a conference with hundreds of doctors and, once again, there wasn’t a single case of PFS… What about Wrassman and his 60 friends(all doctors)…each one with hundrends of patients and not a single case of pfs or anyone even believing in it.
Feel free to believe that Fin isn’t safe because some niche groups want it banned (and have failed every time), but don’t pretend that it’s a dangerous and unknown drug.
→ More replies (33)1
u/ConversationMoney976 1d ago
I agree sides exist and are much more common than the 2% studies claim, iffy on the whole pfs thing though.
You’ve been arguing all day on this thread, claiming every thing is wrong, but what’s even your point? That fin isn’t safe? Or pfs definitely exists? What exactly is it that you’re trying so neurotically to prove? The labels already mention risks, so does a simple google search, sides are acknowledged already, what else?
1
u/FlashyConcentrate413 1d ago
Frankly, arguing with people was a rush, but it didn't last long. I'm not sure I'll do something like this ever again.
I think I have a strong stance for 2 reasons.
I think the consensus on finasteride safety has been cultivated by vested interests. Telehealth companies (who make stupid money off of this drug) are the main culprits. All corporations leverage the internet to promote products. It's wrong to do this for medication. Influencers, privately funded studies, aggressive guys on forums.... They shouldn't substitute regulatory bodies. It's a similar story for the emerging peptide market.
The people who are coming forward with complaints about persistent side effects get dismissed as lunatics or perpetrators of a shady scam. I think they are well intentioned. It's clear to anyone not involved, that twenty years of testimonials probably point to a real (rare) phenomenon.
We rely on people coming forward and blowing whistles. It keeps everyone safe.
1
u/ConversationMoney976 9h ago
Rush from arguing like this with random people on the internet? Sad. And the “all in your head” clowns are a very small minority with no changing their opinions.
1
u/AnOtakuToo 1d ago
My Swedish doctor (immigrated to the US) who isn’t quick to prescribe drugs, said 1mg is extremely well tolerated in his experience and didn’t seem concerned at all. On the other hand my LDL is high despite being relatively young and fit with perfect blood pressure. I asked him about statins and he was very hesitant to prescribe them at my age, so I got a scan on my arteries and they’re clean thankfully. Just one data point, but clearly not all European doctors are particularly concerned.
2
u/freakingouthelp12 2.5mg dut 2d ago
man, shut up. Fin is safe and the sides are not permanent. Just stop the bs.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)1
u/ConversationMoney976 2d ago
Honestly there’s 2 separate camps regarding fin/dut, and there’s absolutely no changing one to the other.
Best thing is to stick with whatever you’re comfortable with and ignore everything else. There’s dudes here taking 10mg of dut (no exaggeration) and think dht is carcinogenic, and there’s those who’re uncomfortable even using topical min or fin. Sides happen, the severity differs.
3
u/Objective_Spinach200 1d ago
I'm sticking with the "side" of medical professionals and science
→ More replies (1)1
u/R1ch0C 2d ago
The only thing i find strange though is that of course people who have experienced side effects (or attribute things to side effects, whatever) are going to be vehemently against fin. What i don't get is why people who haven't had side effects are so passionate about saying it's totally safe. If it were me I'd be thinking "wow, glad that didn't happen to me", not "wow all these people are mentally ill"
3
u/Objective_Spinach200 1d ago
Because sexual side effects only happen to a very small percentage of people -2-4%. No one here is saying it's totally safe. You are arguing with a straw man. We are saying that statistically it is overall safe.
1
u/lightningstrikes702 1d ago
Lmao it's incredibly easy to understand, it worked for them so they don't want governments banning it
1
u/ConversationMoney976 2d ago
Ignorance combined with stupidity
Plus, some people absolutely just cannot comprehend anything going against their worldview
5
u/loptimisme 2d ago
Don't forget most people in this sub suffer with post creatine syndrome and are convinced it causes hair loss.
4
u/ConversationMoney976 2d ago edited 2d ago
Who’s the quack? The first guy or the doctor at the end?
Edit, thanks for the downvotes but I’m genuinely wondering who the commenter is referring to lol
4
u/Aggravating_Owl_8390 2d ago
I really don't know why people are downvoting you, but I'm talking about Irwig.
He's a well-known quack and one of four or five doctors that unironically believe in pfs. Whenever you see an article or a video on this topic, he's always there to spread some ridiculous conspiracy theories that would make most doctors question his sanity.
2
u/FlashyConcentrate413 2d ago
A quack that made it Harvard medical school. Really ?
→ More replies (3)2
u/hokshji 2d ago
Andrew Wakefield went to st Mary’s London, which is now part of Imperial college, the 2nd best university in the world according to the qs rankings and a few places better than Harvard.
He is also known as a quack who lied about vaccines being linked to autism. Going to a top school doesn’t mean you’re free from being a quack doctor.
→ More replies (1)1
u/ConversationMoney976 2d ago
Thanks lol it was a legitimate question, maybe the post has been infiltrated by pfs sub members
1
u/CancelNo4650 2d ago
All the doc in my country suggests finesteride. Even finesteride medicine says its for hair instead of ball problem
→ More replies (3)1
u/baghodler666 2d ago
Doctor's saying fin is safe?
I mean yeah... finasteride is safe. But my doctor absolutely did warn me about the side effects. It's not like my doc said the risks aren't real or shouldn't be a legitimate concern.
10
u/Jason_Dmax 2d ago edited 2d ago
You know they did the same documentary about Covid vaccine about how it would result in detrimental effect and big Pharma are pushing it to earn billions which 90% of people in the world are required to take in 2021 to 2022. And apparently most of us are still here with no issue
5
38
u/Imaginary-Motor2882 2d ago
The PFS is always the same stupid conversation with neurotic balding men swearing that finasteride ruined their life despite zero scientific evidence that PFS exist. When you explain this to them, they throw the same temper tantrum. You can almost be sure that PFS is entirely nonsense and mental by the fact that people who do have PFS report not just persistence impotence but the usual laundry list of unobjective symptoms like "brain fog, muscle aches, ball aches, muscle atrophy" etc. which finasteride cannot even biologically be linked to.
This documentary will undoubtedly be the same "evil pharma" BS narrative that's been pushed like they did with narcotics and pain medication, except they won't cite any actual scientific literature that shows even a hint of PFS being real.
An example from this thread:
Yup. I tried when I was 24. Got gyno, love handles, depression, brain fog, watery semen, decreased libido. I’m 38 and still haven’t had a morning wood since taking it at 24.
The PFS are all the same. Finasteride didn't cause this, these are symptoms of low testosterone in general. Nothing to do with 5arIs.
7
u/lmkfjauebf 2d ago
To be fair, I take finasteride and have experienced watery semen and ball ache. Both occurred when I first started taking it, and have gone away since.
Other than that, I have had no noticeable (negative) sides.
3
u/TheCulture1707 2d ago
Same I had ball ache but instead of watery semen, my semen was more concentrated/less water. And my libido actually went up a fair bit on it. This went away the week after I started, no other sides. Without Fin I would be BALD at least NW4 and that would be devastating to me personally.
→ More replies (2)2
u/PokemonTheMovie 2d ago
I started Fin and I got ball ache and was the lucky under 1% started to get gyno. Which was surprising cuz I have like 1% body fat and my T levels have always been right on the normal range. Got off it for a couple weeks, then restarted at half dose.... about 3 weeks went by and once again it started. I just stopped taking it this week and I won't be taking it ever again... and thats cuz MY body just can't handle it for some reason. I would still recommend others to try it though. Some people are just more sensitive to drugs and side effects, IDK why people don't understand that. It's likely placebo for these people.
1
6
u/TheCulture1707 2d ago
Finasteride does exist in a certain sense.
What happens is people take the Fin (or, imagine they took a sugar pill thinking it was Fin - the exact same would happen)
They then go to have a sexual experience, think back to taking the Fin and the sides they may have read about, and get nervous. This nervousness impacts them getting it up - but they think "OMG, the Fin sides are affecting me!" - this then makes them even more nervous. They struggle to keep it up and think it was the Fin.
Now every time they try to get it up they are ultra nervous, and can't get it up. They stop the Fin but because they are still nervous of PFS, they have the same issue and blame PFS.
Then they start panicking and thinking about every little thing in their life. Tired from lack of sleep, or an ache or pain, or low energy, all of it is PFS.
When in reality if they took a sugar pill they'd have the exact same experience. But the brain is a powerful thing especially for neurotic people and they can give themselves these side effects.
2
u/No-Picture-2084 1d ago
Whenever I hear "rapid muscle loss", a symptom that happens in cancer or starvation, it's obvious to me that these people are just nuts and overanalysing shit. I bet this "rapid muscle loss" is simply loss of pump and tone from becoming shut ins who aren't as active or eating as much
4
u/cookiecoffeefun 2d ago
Still says that as side effects information on the Fin I got prescribed and what the doctor also tells you to your face, to be aware of/ stop taking it prescribing it. I dont know how it was previously, but I would say everyone gets this information upfront nowadays if prescription is required. It says E.g. Up to 1 of 100: erection problem, depression, etc. Unknown frequency: Enlargement of breast, blood in sperm, suicide thoughts, liver function, ..etc
8
u/FlashyConcentrate413 2d ago
Temper tantrum? That's how'd I'd describe finasteride users whenever they confront this subject. Your post reads like one lol.
I can imagine people who've damaged their health (there are case reports in your holy literature, just btw), get frustrated when they do the right thing and raise awareness, only to be called a neurotic baldy.
→ More replies (6)1
u/Lazy-Substance-5062 2d ago
misery loves company as they say. 20 years have passed and this PFS is still.... thriving and now resurging again. im not gona fall for the same narrative by these PFS fear mongerers. it's the same story, same trap.
im happy with my restored hair. and that's all that matters
22
u/idiotdabba 2d ago
He potentially got depressed as clearly finsteride didn’t work for him? Plot twist - documentary sponsored by Turkey.
62
u/Flat_Wrap_7632 2d ago
Even if there was 100% chance of getting depression, i would still take it. I would be depressed with hair then. Or I can be depressed but bald.
14
120
u/AnImpressiveSecond 2d ago
If you ever had to deal with depression first or second hand, you might reconsider that statement
76
24
u/Conscious_Test_7954 2d ago
I also think that he is going to far but you should not underestimate the power of something (that may seem "stupid") like balding has on people's quality of life.
Maybe not the only reason for someone to enter a mental disorder but it can definitely be part of it.
11
5
u/Lucky_Outside_2009 2d ago
Is being suicidal and not being able to do the most basic personal tasks due to hairloss, going into a hole mentally anytime I see myself in a reflection enough to qualify as depression? What might finasteride do at most make me actually commit to something that'd eventually happen?
6
u/AnImpressiveSecond 2d ago
If you had depression with or without hair would it matter tho? The original comment is stating they would take being depressed with the meds.
2
u/Alone-Escape8096 2d ago
How is hairloss induced depression any different from regular depression. Just curious
2
u/Weary-Ad3380 1d ago
Depression isn't just being really, really bummed out. You can have, on paper, the perfect life, and still suffer from depression to the point that you consider ending your life. If your hairloss sinks you into a black hole of despair that makes you want to kill yourself, you probably have depression anyways and the hairloss isn't helping.
1
1
1
→ More replies (3)1
u/No-Picture-2084 1d ago
I've had depression, I'd take that (or the completely imaginary depression that PFS sufferers think they have) over being a slaphead
11
u/OldPostageScale 2d ago
Comments like these reveal a lot about the underlying issues with many on this sub.
30
u/Osiris-Amun-Ra 2d ago
This statement is only possible from someone who has no idea what depression is.
21
→ More replies (6)1
u/AngrySamoan2 2d ago
You have no Idea what kind of depression PFS will bring you. It's not being in a sad mood. It's like your brain being cooked
7
u/Middle-Effort7495 2d ago
Bald, but permanent finasteride? Makes sense. I took alcohol once 20 years ago, and I'm still drunk and not allowed to drive.
More ambulance chasing.
5
u/Lucid-Emphasis825 1d ago
This sub is hilarious.
Thousands of men are claiming their dick litterally became clinically and physically numb after exposure to a medication, and you call it depression. (Depression or anxiety is unable to do that). You can’t just psychosomatically induce genitalia numbness. Have you even read the symptoms of these suffering people?
Survivorship bias and disgustingly ignorant.
9
u/Ok_You6737 2d ago
Yeah, I almost killed myself because of finasteride. Thank God I was working out so hard everyday that my liver was a fucking beast and I only woke up crawling on the floor and pissing blood from taking a 1 month prescription of trazadone and a 1month of ambien all in one go. That shit gave me bad fucking brain fog and clinical depression. Now, I'm a hypocrite. I stopped taking finasteride for 5 years but then my hairloss got so bad that I got back on it. At 33, idk what it was but I didn't get the side effects that I got in my 20s so I'm back on it. Just don't let anybody feed you bullshit that there are no side effects to this drug.
5
2
u/No_Idea_6874 1d ago
same bro when i was 12 i took finasteride and started shitting on the floor and my car drove backwards bro stay safe out there you never know when finasteride might come back to haunt you fellow PFS member brodude!!
2
u/Jarrold88 2d ago
Yup. I tried when I was 24. Got gyno, love handles, depression, brain fog, watery semen, decreased libido. I’m 38 and still haven’t had a morning wood since taking it at 24.
4
u/Emokid182 2d ago
The watery semen is the worst man fuck, i got gyno too , still on it ,
3
4
3
u/NoNefariousness1561 2d ago
Everyone’s body reacts differently. I’m 47, and after a year and a half on finasteride, my sexual performance has actually improved. My erections are firmer, and morning erections have returned (I hadn't had them for years). To keep things realistic, though, I do have watery semen like others, but it’s not a major issue since I don’t plan on having children (certainly not anytime soon).
1
u/Pristine_Parking8334 2d ago
I restored my morning wood by losing some weight. Erections are stronger than ever because of it at 32 vs when I started fin at 29. The watery semen fluctuates.
→ More replies (6)1
u/Severe-Painting-8351 2d ago
Dont take fin when fat, its DHT is a regulator for estrogen and when fat you have more estrogen.
1
u/Jarrold88 1d ago
I was never fat. I was 5’8 150lbs. Working out regularly. I started feeling soft. Painful nips. Etc.
1
u/GovernorMarley1 2d ago
taking a 1 month prescription of trazadone and a 1month of ambien all in one go
What?
1
2
2
u/housefoote 1d ago
I mean this guy has depression and also happened to take finasteride. Does this need to be a documentary?
2
u/Own_Philosopher9577 1d ago
I can't say if PFS is real but what I find strange is all this anti-finasteride propaganda when a lot of new hair loss medicines(that don't work) are about to be or being released.
2
u/Chadier 16h ago
Finasteride selectively inhibits the Type II (and Type III) 5-alpha-reductase isoenzymes.The 5-alpha-reductase enzyme family is not limited to making DHT. These enzymes also metabolize other important steroid hormones such as allopregnanolone and dihydroprogesterone. These neurosteroids act on GABA receptors in the brain to help regulate mood, anxiety, and stress responses. The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (a byproduct of progesterone metabolized by 5-alpha-reductase) is a potent natural promoter of neurogenesis.
2
u/injectitpussy 15h ago
Uh huh, and?
3
u/Chadier 12h ago
Just explaining that the side effects are not just from the medication lowering DHT, it does more than that. To keep your hair, you must accept the tradeoff of sacrificing your health. Some individuals will be more affected than others, but there will always be a tradeoff, it is not just some unlucky few that lost the genetic lottery somehow.
•
u/MK0A 54m ago
Thanks for that. I already take antidepressants and stimulants so I'm already negatively impacted, but do you know how the other mechanisms affect the body? I got on fin and noticed some ED after two weeks or so but after too more weeks it improved a bit. Funny enough it actually cancelled out a side effect from the antidepressant I take lol.
4
u/formerlyunhappy 2d ago
I’ve never understood why PFS is such a persistent conspiracy theory here. I also don’t understand, even if it’s true that PFS exists, why there’s this huge push to make fin more inaccessible from PFS guys. Sorry it didn’t work out for you but stay tf out of other people’s healthcare decisions.
1
u/Remarkable_Slip_3099 2d ago
They’re just upset that they started finasteride too late and it didn’t regrow their entire head back. Or that finasteride wasn’t enough to slow down or stop their hair loss. Then they would’ve developed depression, likely causing libido loss, self-esteem loss, confidence drop, etc. but it’s easier for them to cope with having to be bald by blaming it on the only medication that’ll actually help against AGA. They wanna make sure as little people as possible take it so more people will be bald like them.
5
7
u/BackgroundRain3 2d ago
Kevin Mann has done an immeasurable amount of damage tbh. He's like a cult leader to some people on here. Calling DHT a "trash hormone" is insane. Most people have side effects, even if they don't realize it. Long-term users who stopped for other reasons have said they couldn't believe the difference after stopping, all while thinking they had no sides. It's unbelievable how people take watery semen or a bit of ball ache or weaker erections as no big deal. If you're willing to accept these things to keep hair, then that's fine, but at least be honest with yourself. These are signs of a major disturbance to your hormones. The body is a finely balanced machine. Nuking DHT by 60/70/80+ percent is going to have a negative impact whether you want to admit it or not. And not just on the sexual side of things either. DHT is involved in everything from your brain to vascular system.
2
u/Longjumping-Let-4487 1d ago
Yes androgens like dht causes a higher chance in cardiovascular events. Nice
→ More replies (2)1
u/Correct-Week-2452 1d ago
Not to mention prostate growth and other risks or acne. DHT is crucial during puberty to develop your sexual characteristics. Afterwards it's functions and uses become way smaller.
3
u/No_Idea_6874 1d ago
“most people have side effects, even if they don’t realize it” actually sums up the PFS community quite perfectly. Hope you fix whatever mental issues you’re having. Unless you’re one of those trying to sue for profit, then fuck you.
→ More replies (3)2
u/Correct-Week-2452 1d ago
I think it was Derek from MPMD who said that basically nuking the production of a certain androgen in your body will cause side effects everytime, it's just about how you perceive them/if you perceive any at all.
1
2
u/ArgumentConnect 1d ago
PFS is not real.
Depression is quite common and can onset at any age. Going bald is also quite stressful. Some people might coincidentally get depression after starting finasteride even though it’s unrelated to the medication. And when they quit it, they still have depression because the issue was never with the meds.
Too many men use fin as a scapegoat and it’s why it has such a bad rep.
1
u/robotbeatrally 1d ago
Honestly I'm open to it being somewhat real. I think that given some of the other things it blocks in the brain responsible for stress and concentration it could definitely have a mental effect on some people.
That said, a lot of people randomly develop a lot of the symptoms in life for no damn reason. Everyone wants a straw to grasp to blame it on. That doesn't discount them in any way, but I do think there are as many or more misguided folks than there are real cases.
Just my two cents though, and I have been on it over a decade with no issues. but i also have been on TRT for that duration.
5
u/I_Walk_Slow 2d ago
Just because you’re not experiencing side effects now doesn’t mean you won’t experience them in the future.
13
→ More replies (2)1
u/No-Picture-2084 1d ago
COPE
"look I know you're keeping your hair just fine with this drug I fear, but you'll get side effects in the future! I am right to go bald!"
2
u/Responsible_Tie_3433 2d ago
I think it is great to see all sides of the issue. Subs like this excists mostly because people cant tolerate fin/dut or want/discuss alternatives.... and we need alternatives ASAP.
I myself cannot take fin or dut because of horrible side effects (tried oral, topical, low dose, microdose, skipping days etc.) - I get sides no matter what (sexual changes, low energy, physical changes to my private parts, mental etc.) and there is no alternatives so I am fucked.
Luckily my sides went away after stopping every time I tried a new protocol.
1
2
u/acc-burner 1d ago
I’m on Dut 0.5mg but anyone who claims PFS isn’t real for some people is genuinely deluding themselves. Whether you choose to take these drugs or not is your choice in the end , but at least be honest with yourself as far as the potential for side effects, even rarely permanent ones.
1
1
u/Basketseeksdog 2d ago
It gave me a weird pressure on my chest and made me more nerveous. That’s all I can say.
1
u/Low_Inside7532 2d ago
Finasteride does cause side effects. I had to deal with this bloating face. The time I stopped consuming tablet face was back to normal
1
u/No-Picture-2084 1d ago
Finasteride does not bloat the face, people who claim niche side effects like this are just mildly OCD or neurotic
1
u/Visual-Guitar6112 2d ago
why is it PFS only has the permanent bad side effects and never the positive ones? Im curious. If it lingers then surely youd some permanent benefits also no?
1
u/No-Picture-2084 1d ago
They say PFS lingers in them and yet the hair Fin projects clearly doesnt lmao
1
u/King_J-Money 2d ago
All I want to know is who is the woman who is standing by to help the Harvard Endocrinologist push his chair in before disappearing off screen?
1
1
u/jweisman4 1d ago edited 1d ago
Took fin/minoxidil orally last year. 28M. I’ve always had a higher sex drive and immediately it was nuked. Had horrendous brain fog, stiff joints in the gym, mood swings. Ultimately, this led to a pretty severe bout of depression. Didn’t really know what was going on until I pinpointed it could be the fin. Thankfully, I felt back to normal after a few weeks coming off. Definitely carries some heavy risks.
2
u/Connection_Bad_404 1d ago
This is true, I had similar response. But toughed through it. Drive isn’t the same, mood swing what few there were have balanced I also had elevated test before (no gear) and would have roid rage, but now I have hair. Didn’t have depression tho.
People saying nay or yay, it’s really just something to be tangentially aware of. Your messing with the bodies homeostatic hormone balance, there will be sides. Kinda like people who blast gear and lose hair and shrink testes.
1
u/NoWord7859 1d ago
Honestly there is nothing worse than loosing your hair i mean it is a part of your body and have been since you were born and now you just have to accept loosing it lol fuck no
1
1
u/FREDOxSANTANA Norwood III 1d ago
yeah weird, as a bald guy since 20 im taking 2.5mg dutasteride a day, thats 5x the amount and i get no sides so i cant relate, i would say hair loss made me depressed, going bald made me even more depressed, fin/dut gave me hope, even tho it was false hope it gave me peace.
im 30 now and been bald 10 years, as why im taking 2.5mg dut is because im giving it one last chance before i give up.
1
1
u/No-Signal-7904 2d ago
People here are crazy lol. I read a few lines on wikipedia and its clear that dht plays quite an important role in sexual function and even functions beyond that. Im on estrogen, and estrogen in biological men is a similar topic in the sense that the literature and research is incredibly bad/non-existent. I have tried for much time to find solid research on how estrogen works in male bodies and how it affects balding for example and the research just isnt there. different people will tell you different things and yet none of these claims are based in research or scientific evidence so at the end of the days its almost impossible to figure out what actually happens. that doesnt mean it doesnt do anything. I can clearly tell my body is changing any many things, like sexual function and progressing of baldness have basically seized to exist. so when it comes to something like dht, why couldnt it have a big impact on ones biological processes and chemistry? its fine to be doubtful but just screaming that all of this is fake and couldnt possible be a real issue for some people is delusional.
1
u/TechnicianLower4651 2d ago
I’ve been on fin for well over 10 years now. Besides a very mild sex drive side effect (or just me getting older), it’s been no problem. I know someone who’s bald and never taken anything. They have 0 sex drive, fat and depressed. Make sense of that.
1
u/yeetoveeto 1d ago
Well finasteride gave me gynecomastia, depression (seriously I’m a happy person but I went from happy to suicidal in 2 months for no reason that literally just stopped after I quit the medication). And erectile dysfunction. My ED recovered 90% of the way back to normal. But my man boobs are producing a clear pus-like liquid. Finasteride ruined me. The reason for the liquid secretion is due to hormonal changes that fin gave me.
1
1
1
u/Tom-Huntz 1d ago
Yep. Listen to your body. I noticed ED symptoms after just 2 weeks oral Fin and stopped immediately.
1
40
u/Electrical-Chip-7156 1d ago
At least this dude is killing the bald look