I am a girl and took Propecia

Member Stories
#1

Hi everyone. I am a 36 year old female. I have two daughters and my husband is fixed (so I am not going to get pregnant). I used to have really long beautiful hair. I started losing it and my dermatologist put me on Propecia. I started Sept. 1, 2009 and quit Dec. 8, 2009. My hair stopped falling out. I did not notice any side effects while on it. I did read about all the bad stuff that could happen before I took it, but I figured because I am a girl, none of that would affect me.

The reason I quit is because I got a sinus infection and had to take antibiotics and I did not want to take all of these medications all at once. It turns out, I had a very bad reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic called Levaquin. I suffered so many symptoms after stopping the drug, including severe insomnia that lasted three months, neuropathy, anxiety, ringing in the ears, and now joint and tendon problems. The medical community denies that the drugs can cause all of this, but they do.

So, I was very skeptical about going back on Propecia after all I’ve been through. But my hair started falling out again. Guys, I know sex is very important to you. But for girls, our hair is more important than sex. BUT, I read this website, and I can’t risk any of the mental problems this medicine can cause.

My questions are: Have any girls posted to this group before or have you had any comments/feedback from girl users? Also, is insomnia a side effect of this medication where you can’t sleep or only get maybe 3 hours of sleep a night for months/years? Do girls suffer the same mental side effects that men do?

Thank you, I hope you allow me on here. I am very sympathetic with what you all are going through, because I have been disabled too by a drug the doctors said was safe.

#2

you are totally crazy… its extremly dangerous. save your life and stop it!

#3

hey now - it is unfair to call her totally crazy. Like all of us - she was told by a doctor that it was safe.

I would suggest stopping the drug now if you are still taking it and receiving blood test. If you have test taken before going on propecia, see what changed. Unfortunately, we don’t really have much information on what happens in women when they take this as it is not indicated for use in women. You may, however, have a case against your doctor if you are facing adverse effects. This drug is indicated for MEN ONLY.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope we can help.

#4

welcome PropeciaGirl.

As far as finasteride (Propecia) causing the same mental side effects in females as it does in males, I would have to say yes. The drug inhibits neurosteroid production which causes anxiety and depression, among other symptoms like brain fog.

As far as I knew, women weren’t supposed to even get near Propecia?

#5

Finasteride is sometimes prescribed for Hirsutism (excessive hairiness) in women: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirsutism

It could also potentially be prescribed for hair loss.

Due to the drug’s inhibition of 5AR2 reduction of Progesterone --> Allopregnanolone and DOC --> THDOC (both neurosteroids which normally act on GABA-A receptors in the brain to exert anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects), it is likely any mood disturbances experienced while on the drug are related to the medication. This would likely apply to both men and women.

Yes, however not from women who have taken the drug – moreso wives or girlfriends of men who have taken it.

The GABAergic system is implicated in sleep disorders like insomnia and loss of REM sleep, as is decreased Nitric Oxide production – both areas which Finasteride can negatively affect.

Based on above, it would seem extremely likely.

#6

Thank you for the replies. japanther, read my message, I have already quit the drug four months ago and no I am not crazy. Thank you, administer, for the information. The Levaquin really damaged my GABA receptors and I suffered insomnia where I was so extremely exhausted but could not fall asleep. I felt like a walking dead person. I am not interested in going through any of that again.

I feel priviledged then to be the first girl on here to have taken Propecia. Thank you for the welcome. The only reason girls can’t take Propecia is because it can cause birth defects if you get pregnant. I am done having children.

I am trying Nioxin right now. Hopefully that will help the hair loss. Take heart guys. You can still be considered hot when you’re bald. Girls can’t.