is it difficult to get long hair

[Sydney_NYC]

I am not on hormones yet and I am concerned about my thinning hair. Is finasteride found in propecia? My doctor proscribed it to me as a way to potentially slow or stop my thinning hair until I can get on hormones. Should I fill the prescription? I was on it before many years ago and I didn't see any regrowth results, but I never noticed if it was preventing hairloss. At least I know it is safe.

Alyssa

Alyssa,

Finasteride is the generic name for propecia and yes do go ahead and take it. It's perfectly OK to even take with HRT and many times your HRT doctor will prescribe it with HRT if you have thinning hair and not on it. I was on finersteride about 3-4 months prior to HRT and still take it and my HRT doctor suggested that I do continue taking it for at least a year. I figure I'll get all the help I can. My crown is filled in (a little thin by the part, but I've seen cis-women who have it worse. My temples are filling in as well, but I'm still not comfortable parting to the side just yet as I keep it parted in the middle to make my hairline appear feminine and it work pretty well.

[Seras]

You must have VERY healthy hair naturally, heat is definitely an enemy, hence why there are so many "heat protect" sprays etc you should apply prior to straightening etc.

Have you got any pictures of your hair?

I do not. I do not post stuff online much. I do not even have facebook or anything. I have always had quite thick hair though, which is why I freaked out so much when it started receding a little and got on finasteride asap 

[Allyda]

Dutasteride (Avodart) is actually much better than Finasteride (Propecia). Most doc's don't prescribe it though because it's expensive. I got lucky with my Endo and He prescribed Avodart for me, and my insurance coverd it. It's something to talk to your Endo about.

[Rainbow Brite]

  "Let it grow, let it grow, don't hold it back any more..."

It's not hard to let it grow out. you just have to break that habit of, "Oh, it's getting long, time for a haircut." And it can look scruffy for a while too, but it can be worth the hassle. I just don't because of my job and I look better with short hair.

[Danniella]

Dutasteride (Avodart) is actually much better than Finasteride (Propecia). Most doc's don't prescribe it though because it's expensive. I got lucky with my Endo and He prescribed Avodart for me, and my insurance coverd it. It's something to talk to your Endo about.

Wow! You are really not wrong on that front!

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/resources/hair-restoration-papers/dutasteride-vs-finasteride/

Think I shall swap over when my finasteride runs out next

[Alyssa L.]

[Temporarily Removed by User]

[Allyda]

Thanks Sydney, I will get the prescription filled and start taking it right away.

Allyda - How much more expensive is Dutasteride (Avodart)? Based on the study linked by Danniella, it seems to be quite a bit more effective than Finasteride.

Alyssa

It's at least double what your paying for the finasteride. If your in the US make sure your Endo prescribes Dutasteride instead of the brand name Avodart. Avodart which I am taking and my insurance if covering costs an arm and a leg. However, the generic form Dutasteride is about double what your paying for Finasteride.

[Danniella]

It's at least double what your paying for the finasteride. If your in the US make sure your Endo prescribes Dutasteride instead of the brand name Avodart. Avodart which I am taking and my insurance if covering costs an arm and a leg. However, the generic form Dutasteride is about double what your paying for Finasteride.

Yeah, the cost put me off when I looked into it D: I'm self funding my medication already, so the thought of doubling the cost of my hair treatment gives me a moment of pause...

But I should be in the NHS system soon enough (Just under 6 months now), at which point they will take care of the medication costs, so I think I will just stick with finasteride till then and change it when I have more spare budget freed up.

[Allyda]

Yeah, the cost put me off when I looked into it D: I'm self funding my medication already, so the thought of doubling the cost of my hair treatment gives me a moment of pause...

But I should be in the NHS system soon enough (Just under 6 months now), at which point they will take care of the medication costs, so I think I will just stick with finasteride till then and change it when I have more spare budget freed up.

I was funding my own for a while myself so I understand all too well. My problem was a little more severe than yours though as I had lost patches of hair on the top left side of my head so I sprang for the Dutasteride. Now I'm glad I did for those areas are filling back in nicely and my hair overall is so much thicker. It's long too down past the middle of my back at it's longest point. It's styled feathered in a deep V cut so my sides are a little shorter but not too much. Also, I had to throw away my smaller hair ties and get ones for thick hair! I can't believe the mane I now have when putting it in a ponytail! It fills up my hand almost, which makes me a very very happy girl!

Your alot younger than me so you should do fine on Fin until your medical can pay for the dutasteride. For me though for those first two months it was well worth it.

Hey Girls & Girlfriends, just thought I'd let you know I'm on a borrowed computer so that's why I haven't been on the site much as I'm on vacation. I'll be back home Friday.

Ally