Prostatitis and Hair Loss

[Marc]

I have lived with CP for a few years and have begun to lose some hair within the last year. I have heard about possible links between Prostate problems and hair loss for example, Saw Palmetto is recommended to alleviate the symptoms of CP and stop hair loss. Procecia was first developed as a prostate drug and found in studies that it would also grow hair.

What are your personal experiences/thoughts on this issue?

Thanks.

>>>Marc

[james-d]

Well - I have this to offer:

I take Avodart (similar to proscar but stronger) as part of my regimen and it has the "nice" side effect of stopping my hair from falling out.

It does kill the libido a little - so I wouldn't recomend it for just hair loss - but it does help control the size of your prostate - which for men in this forum is a bigger concern then their hairline.

[scotsman]

I feel though that for most long term chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome sufferers their prostates are actually fine and most of the urinary and pain issues are due to pelvic floor dysfunction. Therefore, perhaps there's not a link there?

Interesting to hear from other sufferers who have also had hair loss though (however, does the age band for chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome sufferers also tie into common ages for normal hair loss to start?).

Richard.

[alphacentauri]

Procecia was first developed as a prostate drug and found in studies that it would also grow hair.

Finasteride is the chemical that composes both Propecia and Proscar. Propecia is prescribed for hair loss using 1mg of finasteride. Proscar is prescribed for an enlarged/inflamed prostate at a 5mg dose. Propecia may help hair growth/stop hair loss with a slight effect on the libido, but the dose is too low to affect your prostate significantly, IMO. Proscar can be of use there with the added bonus for your hair, but as others have pointed out, it can affect your libido - so there's the trade-off.

FWIW, I know someone who was using Proscar for hair loss because it was cheaper than Propecia. He simply cut the Proscar tablet into five pieces to get the Propecia dose. Perhaps you can discuss with your doctor the value of using Proscar at a similar lower dose, so you help your hair and possibly your prostate at the same time with less of the libido-killing side effect. Just a thought here. Please be sure to speak with a doctor first.

[alphacentauri]

I take Avodart (similar to proscar but stronger) as part of my regimen

James, since I have an enlarged prostate, I'm considering Avodart. I'm wondering, how has it helped you? With which symptoms?

Thanks, Dave

[james-d]

Wish I could give you a real answer - as far as I can tell - some of it is voodoo.

I know from reading the research that it is documented that finisstride and avodart help some men with pain/inflamation from prostatitis - but the research only speculated as to why.

Avodart works faster and better then proscar - but may have more side effects.

I am not sure of how much it has helped me as I have it as only one part of my protocol - and I am way too paranoid about this illness to do an experiment and see what happens if I stop it now that I am feeling better.

So - all I can say is I feel better and it is part of my protocol - but I can't say what role it has played.

(But - my balding has slowed a lot)

[alphacentauri]

Avodart works faster and better then proscar - but may have more side effects.

Yeah, I'll have to check on that. You mentioned earlier that it kills the libido a bit for you. But have you haven't experienced anything more serious, like impotence, have you?

So - all I can say is I feel better and it is part of my protocol - but I can't say what role it has played.
(But - my balding has slowed a lot)

I'm at peace with my balding process, but hey, I wouldn't mind a bit of extra hair on the dome as a consolation prize