M.D. question about Proscar:
 

Since it was mentioned on the hair loss thread that Proscar, the prostate medicine, has the exact same active ingredient as Propecia and is a lot cheaper. Just wondering if there is any reason that a healthy guy would not want to take it every day? (Other than possible decreased libido).

I'm going to ask my brother-in-law, (cardiologist), but I respect the opinions of our resident M.D.s here as well so I'm going for some free medical advice. :)

Propecia is a 1 mg dose, Proscar is a 5 mg dose. Both will make your penis fall off. :)

Not an MD but have worked with Urologists and medications that work on the prostate.

Proscar blocks a form of testosterone that causes the prostate to continue to grow the older you get. This is the same hormone that causes hair loss. You generally have to take Proscar long term to realize any benefit. Usually takes at least 4-6 months before the prostate begins to shrink.

I don't know why a "healthy" man would like to take it everyday. If you are having difficulty urinating or losing your hair I'd ask your doctor.

What causes an enlarged prostate anyway?

Time.

i believe the theory is that every man will get prostate cancer...if they live long enough.

My patients rarely suffer from enlarged prostates. I would however trust the advices of Moses any day.. :D

I have read this in several journal articles. There is not a medication available that will rally make hair grow back, you just lose it more slowly.

I had a Nephrologist(Kidney) tell me that the max upper age limit for humans is around 125 years old. I don't remember the exact numbers, but you lose 1% of your kidney function every year, starting when you are 30, and can survive on 5%. 125 is when your clock runs out on your kidneys, assuming you have taken care of them, and are not a dude who still has his prostate still in there, turning cancerous.

Gheeze guys...

This gets my vote for most depressing thread ever!

That statement is demonstrably false, several supervised scientific studies have proven the exact opposite. Please at least use the google button before posting here.

As for why a healthy person would take finasteride, the answer is to grow lost hair back.

Hey Denis

What ever happened to the issue regarding your apartment? Any resolution from the landlord?

Hugh, I'll write you a PM or call you this weekend and fill you in.

Testosterone makes your prostate grow larger. It continues to grow during your entire life.

BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) is a non-cancerous condition where the size of the prostate is such that it restricts urine flow. That's why the old guys have trouble when they're going.

Men who have been castrated do not suffer from BPH or prostate cancer.

Men with an active sex life have somewhat lower rates. 'It's for my health honey!'