Hi, I’m new here.
Some quick back ground first - I’ve been on Finasteride for roughly 3 years now. I probably started going bald in my early 20s but didn’t actually start the drug until my mid 30s because I had a slow recession and I was in denial, I guess. However when my hair got to a norwood 2.5 I couldn’t ignore it anymore and Finasteride seemed to be the only option. It wasn’t an easy decision - I was well aware about the sides but hair loss was affecting my confidence and mood so much I decided to at least try the drug and if the sides were so bad I could always stop taking it. Right?
Now, I’ve got to be honest, in some ways I’m delighted with the results because ther’s no doubt it’s stopped me going bald and I’ve even had some significant regrowth! I’ve had no other sides except I’m convinced my jawline and face shape has changed and become less masculine. My face is longer and my chin smaller and more pointy. Overall I seem to have more feminine features. I thought maybe I was imagining it but comparing recent photos to ones from before I started Finasteride has confirmed it for me. It’s not a massive difference but it’s significant enough.
So what do people think? I know it may sound crazy and it isn’t an official side according to the studies but how many studies have been done on this particular issue? It may not even be a common side but that doesn’t mean it’s not real - I’ve seen enough to suggest that I’m far from the only one.
Has anyone else had this side? What do you think may cause it - bone loss or is it perhaps changes in your DHT/hormones causing a more feminine face shape? Will my chin/jaw just keep receding now or does it stop at a certain point?
I know to some of you this may sound crazy but please try and be understanding and constructive - I feel so low now. It seems Finasteride has given with one hand but taken away with the other. I’m really stressing about stopping Fin altogether because I don’t know what’s worse no hair or a less attractive face.
Hi @Funkymonk, this forum is for people who have problems after discontinuing using medications.
I am sorry to have to say this, but if you are continuing to use finasteride, you may not post here.
If you do encounter problems after discontinuing using Finasteride, we will help you any way we can.
You won’t help just because I’m still on Fin? Does that make my sides less important? We’re all in the same boat however you look at it ffs. Whatever, I guess I’ll have to go somewhere with a less narrow minded attitude.
@Cooper thanks for the link, it at least confirms that there are others with this issue. I really think this side needs more research.
I’ve definitely lost fat/collagen from face
A final message in this now-locked thread: No, we are not in the same boat, your side effect is less important than those which could be permanent, and we are not here to provide help to those who choose to keep taking a medication we consider profoundly harmful on so many levels. In our view, you are potentially ruining your life for the sake of keeping your hair. We all wish we were in the same boat and had the luxury of recovering from persistent side effects by simply not taking a pill.
Help yourself and stop taking finasteride. This is said out of concern, not aggressiveness. A former member of this site took his life in the past few days due to the effects of a pharmaceutical drug he stopped taking over 6 months ago.
If you are already experiencing physical changes from it’s effects, you may come to seriously regret continued use if you are as unlucky as many of us were. My suggestion is for you to read through some of the member stories here and ask yourself if impotence, inability to feel pleasure, and inability to hold down a job due to having your brain and body fried is worth it.