Propecia

[ConcernedGuy485]

I am a 34 yr old male and have been losing my hair since my mid 20s. In 97 when propecia came out I started taking it. There were also other changes happening in my life, but about 2 months after starting it a strange heavy depression/anxiety set in on me that never left. I never even thought about it at the time...not till 6 years later after I had been on several antidepressants, but I started wondering if it could have been related to the propecia. I never even knew how it worked until recently. I stopped it 1 year ago and my hair has started leaving my head aggressively. I had a hair transplant 6 years ago and so now I feel trapped because if I loose more hair my transplant will become an island which I can't shave because of implant marks. I decided to start propecia again but I am concerned about its effects on my body...from hormonal effects to pschycological. My depression never really left after stopping the propecia, but it did seem to get better somewhat. I have not been on any antidepressants for 2 years now. I recently visited a forum where users of propecia were complaining of several major side effects including depression and anxiety. I know propecia indirectly changes testostrone and dht levels around and I read somewhere that dht is the mechanism by which testostrone is absorbed by the brain. I'm just trying to find out more information and if anyone has any more experience with this. Also I am somwhat worried about sexual issues, not so much erections, etc, but risk for birth defects or impotency? I am not married but if I do in the future is there a risk of me hurting my future children from being on this now? Or a risk of being permanently impotent? I'm just trying to decide if this is worth it. I have had a HUGE amount of anxiety over my hair loss, largly because of the stupid hair transplant which doesnt look bad, but it will if there is no hair behind it, and if I shave it I will look like a science project because on the 3 and 4 hair grafts there is a little dot or indent where the hairs go into the scalp together, let alone the scar on the back of my head. I don't know how much could be done with plastic or laser surgery or whatever to improve this or if that is an option. Sorry this is long but anything you can respond to would be helpful. Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I am not familiar with depression's being a side-effect of Propecia.  Perhaps the doctor who proscribed the antidepressants will know more.  If your depression didn't go away after a year of stopping the drug, that would argue against its being the cause.  There is no risk to the partner from Propecia, so you needn't worry about birth defects.  As for impotence, it's quite uncommon, and you didn't get it...

If you're not seeing a psychiatrist, I think you should, to monitor your depression and its treatment, and to sort out all these issues, which clearly go far beyond--and beneath--hair.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[triguy]

I have been on and off but mostly on propecia for four years.  About three months ago I started experiencing anxiety and difficulty concentrating.  I must say that everyone I know has always said that I have a rock-solid frame of mind and am very calm in all situations.  Therefore,I just discontinued my use of Propecia three days ago and don't plan on taking it again.  I am hoping this has been the cause of my anxiety but we will see.  I believe propecia did what it was supposed to but I think I need to clear my system of everything unnatural to try to get to the root of my problems.  Fortunately, I did not experience loss of libido.

[vernielou12]

Can women use this drug too?