Propecia/Finasteride question

[Jenny07]

I have an interesting question, unrelated to hair loss for Propecia/Finasteride.

I have been taking this for the last 6 months after seeing my doctor.
She insisted that I came back after a few months for a check up and it got me thinking.
So far everything seems normal and that's what I told her as we have a good relationship.
Obviously she wanted to check up on the medications nasty side effects namely depression which seems to be a big one statistically when taking this long term for most normal men.

Honestly, I have not been happier since I started, thus my question.
How many people feel the same?
Does this validate that my body is M2F medically?
I feel that it proves to me what I already know and I feel it is like personal a test run for HRT.

If this is how I feel now, I can only think that proper HRT will be so much better.

Jen

[Horizon]

I'm much happier now that I'm taking generic propecia.  No more need to stress over whether the tiny amounts I would lose were MPB or normal shedding - what's on my head is there to stay, and it's only going to get thicker, if anything. 

[JoW]

I've been taking finasteride for 5 months and the effects, and side-effects, have all been positive. In particular I haven't been depressed during that time.

The only problematic thing is the cost.

[Seras]

It's great. Before I was taking propecia I would feel physically ill worrying about my hair loss. I have not even lost much compared to some people but I knew it was thinning some, now though the amount of hair I lose when brushing or washing my hair is so much less, I know it is working and working well.

[EmmaD]

Hi,
I have been taking it for 18 months.  Depression - no.  I am happier too but that may relate to other things like getting near the end of electrolysis, seeing therapists etc.  MPB isa cause for depression but can't do anything other than stop it getting worse.

Other sides - oh yes!  Libido has gone on a very permanent holiday.  Nothing down there has showed any flicker of life for about 9 months!  I have low T and almost no free T and I am not on AA or other HRT!  My GP (LGBTI specialist practice), Psychologist and Psychiatrist (both gender specialists) ask about it and how I feel about it. If I am not bothered, they aren't either.  The GP and Psychiatrist both look long and hard at my blood tests though.

Does a lack of depression validate your course of action in any way? I am no expert but I suspect it isn't that simple.

[Jenny07]

Yes I have very little libido to speak of, never really have even before.
My ex was always puzzled why I never wanted sex, Yuck. Sex as a man disgusts me and it never ended well.

I will be interested to see my base line T levels in the next few months as I look to start hrt.
I would expect them to be lower than normal.

I am only looking for a medical proof that I am not a normal male, already knew that, as the mental conflict sometimes can be crippling as we all know.
I believe it is proof to me and that is all that really matters.

J:)

[Jamie D]

We have to remember a couple of things.  Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) is synthesized from progesterone.  It works on hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia because it blocks testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone, by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase.

As an anti-androgen, it has off-label use in MtF HRT.  That's one reason that finasteride, and its chemical cousin, dutasteriude (Avodart) fall under Rule #8 of our Terms of Service.

[EmmaD]

Here it is.

8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.
We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.

In my ignorance, I stated my Fin dose earlier in the thread that has been edited out by the mods.  What I have been largely ignorant of (other than the terms of service!!!!) is the HRT use for Fin rather than just the baldness use.  What I have noticed is how easy it is to get it prescribed.  Helps if you are losing hair I guess!

[Jamie D]

Shastadaisy, Miss Bungle is a former moderator who is pulling my chain.

I think I am going to slip on my headphones now and listen to some Disco Volante noise.

[Antonia J]

I felt depressed after starting it but can't separate the drug from the problems resulting from coming out. It does seem to cast a pall over everything, though.  Prior to starting I had never in my 40 yrs had any problems with depression. Just my two cents.

[DrBobbi]

DEPRESSION? Depression is not an acceptable "Side-Effect." One need not be depressed. Hormone replacement therapy should eliminate depression, not cause it. That includes the use of hair restoration meds. HRT in the male to female transgender patient helps hormonally eliminate the dysmorphic OCD thoughts. Amazing changes. Another important point, testosterone isn't the MtF's enemy. At reduced levels, testosterone provides a sense of well-being, and sexual drive that makes life--well, life. Sexual drive isn't something to be cast away because one is transitioning. It's as important as breathing. Low levels of the male hormone will not interfere with the feminizing effects of estrogen (Estradiol). Even genetic females need a bit of testosterone for that get-up-and go-go. HRT is my opinion is an essential part of the transition process, and when done right, fixes our brains, bodies, and makes us fun, even in bed..or in a chair...or on the fl...you get the idea!

For more, watch my coming out interview:  http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/robert-tur/51bb516e78c90a54e600006e

[Renee]

I was advised to only take it once every two days and it still works just fine and you may reduce the chances of side effects.

[rbulova]

Before you go on Finasteride (generic name)/Proscar/Propecia (both brand names), please Google "Finasteride (or any of the others) and Impotence".  It seems that about 15% of users have encountered permanent and irreversible impotence.  This is what i think happened to me.  Been off it for 8 years now, and still don't feel enough sensitivity for normal sex.

[vegie271]

Before you go on Finasteride (generic name)/Proscar/Propecia (both brand names), please Google "Finasteride (or any of the others) and Impotence".  It seems that about 15% of users have encountered permanent and irreversible impotence.  This is what i think happened to me.  Been off it for 8 years now, and still don't feel enough sensitivity for normal sex.

It is amazing, chemicals effect every human completely differently - antidepressants are anathema to me I am allergic to practically all of them - severe reactions

yet on HRT and finasteride, I have zip problems. Everyone has to judge their own body

[Gina_Z]

Be careful! More information about side effects here:
http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/

[Rachel]

I had taken it for  6 months prior to HRT and I still take it ( 10 months now and counting). I have hair regrowth but hair really started growing after HRT. I am waiting now for comments to start at work, any day now.

I was not one bit depressed from Finasteride. I was suicidal in Nov. and Dec. prior to Therapy and Finasteride. However, every now and then suicide does creep in but as in a passing and not in earnest. I am coping very well and getting stronger and happier every day.

Impotence, not from Finasteride (some minor gonad pain and some reduction in libido). E, AA and Finasteride have my gonads at 1/4 and 1/10 in size and my libido is gone. I can have an erection when needed and I use pills to help there too. This is absolutely fantastic and one word to describe this is FREE. Oh, one last thing, I no longer have sex. I make love and is wonderful, truly amazing. 

[FrancisAnn]

Thanks. I've never used it however I may start. Thicker hair would be great.

[dalebert]

Before you go on Finasteride (generic name)/Proscar/Propecia (both brand names), please Google "Finasteride (or any of the others) and Impotence".  It seems that about 15% of users have encountered permanent and irreversible impotence.  This is what i think happened to me.  Been off it for 8 years now, and still don't feel enough sensitivity for normal sex.

I'm EXTREMELY suspicious of the origins of this number. What study(or studies) is it based on? It's not at all in line with my understanding and if it were true, I can't imagine this would be a drug approved for the treatment of MPB. My understanding was that even temporary impotence cases were extremely low, to the point that they were possibly even statistically insignificant and not to the point where they could clearly be associated with use of the drug and not possibly coincidence.

As for cost, there is something that has saved me a lot of money. I was paying a lot more until a kind dermatologist prescribed me a larger dose version and told me to use a pill-cutter to cut it into smaller pieces to fit his recommended dosage. It worked out to be much cheaper per dose that way since this wasn't covered by insurance. His prescription was for a much smaller number of pills in accordance with the advice to cut them so I would have run out very quickly if I hadn't taken them in accordance with his instructions. It doesn't hurt to just ask your doctor about this if he's already approved a prescription. I've had a couple other doctors since then who were glad to continue the same prescription as it worked out to fit their prescribed dosage. I'm not sure how the different dosage amounts compare now cost-wise, but I know this saved me a LOT in the past.

I am pointedly leaving out my specifics so I hope this is still in line with #8 as Jamie pointed out.

[Gina_Z]

You can read the many horror stories. Google 'propecia help'. These are real stories. I like the idea of androgen insensitivity for feminization, but this substance also affects brain chemistry. Monitoring of the endocrine system by a good doctor is essential. Be careful.

[dalebert]

But horror stories represent unscientific anecdotal evidence. You could probably find horror stories about practically any drug.