I work with a couple of guys who are currently taking this, and they said their dr prescribed it for baldness. I looked it up and some of the side effects seem pretty bad. Have any of you heard of people using this?

It's generally well tolerated. It only really works for male pattern baldness related to DHT, not all baldness. The earlier you start it the better, same with minoxidil (topical or oral).

Regarding side effects, as someone that wants to have kids still, I'm avoiding it. The risk is low, but there have been documented cases of impotence that has been very long lasting. If you're experiencing balding, I would probably start on minoxidil first. Can also do other stuff, like micro needling, PRP/PRF injections, and take certain supplements like Nutrafol, Viviscal, Untangled, Xtresse, etc.

To be honest, a lot of people lose hair for lots of reasons. It's reasonable to try the OTC stuff first, and give it 3-6 months, as well as some of the basic prescription stuff from your primary care. Maybe get some labs from your primary care physician as well. But if that doesn't work after 3-6 months, then best bet is to see a dermatologist.

ETA: Finasteride is also good for slowing prostate enlargement. So another benefit for your future self, if you choose to take it. Some people take low dose finasteride a few times a week just for that.

I have experience with it and many other products and snake oil, and I got sucked into the hair loss battle as I experienced thinning early on (beginning in college years). I wish I didn't care about it, but its obviously a struggle for a lot of people (women including my mom, grandmother).

I have been on finasteride for over a decade. I also used minoxidil for a long time (recently cycled off of it) for other natural remedies. I can't speak to any known side effects personally; I have not experienced anything that I know of that can be attributed to it. I finally had read enough about minoxidil to stop that stuff.

This year I have moved to some different shampoo products, a hair scalp massager (w/ red light), and some natural oils I use a few times a week, in addition to daily finasteride. Hair has never felt better or felt thicker, albeit I would never say it is actually thick - just is for me and my family history. If you would have told me I'd have the same hair at 40 when I was 25 I would have taken that as a big win.

Happy to take any further questions offline or just offer any support, since it can be a paralyzing thing to face. Welcome to email me at username at gmail.

I highly recommend this scalp massager though, whether you're battling hair loss or not. It is the bee's knees.

what shampoos are you using if you don't mind me asking. I'm definitely thinning on top and want to do what I can to help stop it. Don't want to use meds yet, because my wife and I are starting to try and have kids now.

Thanks! The reason im curious about this for future use should my hair start falling out. Also, im confused, is Fin a topical or oral medication? It looks like the topical is less side effects, but the downside is the time it takes to apply it every day.

Alternate these two....

https://buyhairlabs.com/products/hair-restore-shampoo?variant=40375439229027
https://www.try-spartan.com/products/root-activator-shampoo-for-men-hair-loss

I think the main way to take finasteride is orally. But both methods do exist.

I use Nioxin Step 2 shampoo and conditioner, plus finasteride pill and Minoxidil. I still have 95% of the hair I had when I was 25. As I'm in my mid 40s my testosterone started dropping and I started to supplement on that, which can accelerate hair thinning, that's when I added minoxidil and the Nioxin to the routine and it's really mitigated the loss.

Been thinking about the PRP injections - anyone have direct experience / success with that? Looking to use it on two spot where the hairline receded some years ago but don't know if it's expensive snake oil or effective.