July 25 2006, 11:36 am PT | Posted in: Drugs
A dermatologist prescribed propecia to me, telling me it looks like I have MPB, but my GP told me that I shouldn’t take it because it’s just a “feminizing” or “demasculinating” drug. I have hesitated using it out of fear of both the reported side effects and the limited long term studies done on this hormonally-influencing drug. Can you comment on these concerns? What is your advice? Where can I go to get a thorough and proper examination? And about how much does that cost?
I do not like using the word “ignorant”, but according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, your GP is “lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified”.
Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is a drug that inhibits testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is responsible for male pattern hair loss. Propecia will not make you into a woman or produce changes that are characteristic of women. Some of the side effects of Propecia are an increase in libido (possibly is frequently 1 in 10 people in the first few months of treatment as the testosterone rises) or decrease in libido (1 in 100). The long term (5+ year) studies done on Propecia shows benefit for male pattern hair loss, thus it is the only FDA approved drug for that purpose.
If you need further information and an evaluation of your MPB diagnosis, I would be happy to see you and answer all your questions in person at my NHI office in Los Angeles. Just reference this BaldingBlog post when you see me.
I agree with your GP that Propecia is a feminizing drug. It works, but it does have side effects. I developed gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) from the drug. Basically i started growing boobs because I was on it. I don’t know if femonize is a word, but it definately was giving me a feminine characteristic. Fortunately the effects subsided considerably (though not entirely) after a year of being off the drug. I am very suspicious of the studies released by the makers of propecia. Arent’ the makers of propecia the same people who made Vioxx. Check out this site for more on the matter: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20788&name=PROPECIA
That sounds like a load of rubbish. If some of your repressed female tendencies came out (growing boobs, carrying a purse, developing an appetite for manana) blame your mama not the drug. The reference to Vioxx was lame too.
Dr. Rassman, why did you delete my comment rebutting Billy’s ad hominem, inappropriate, and rediculous attack? I am dissapointed and concerned.
There’s hundreds of spams received every day — some get lost in the mix. Sorry, I didn’t see it.