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	Dr. Alan J. Bauman, MD

Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.

	Question Asked By

S. Castaneda
2005-02-08

	Question Topic

Propecia and Testosterone levels

	Question

Dr. Bauman, I'm confused from your previous statement. You have stated that Propecia breakdown the testosterone levels and increases what? I was under the impression that it breakdown the DHT and your testosterone levels. This is why I feel like my work outs and strength training has declined. When Im off Propecia I can see a significant difference in my training and my sex drive is to the roof! And this is without any performance enhancers, is this normal? Yet, within a few months the temple area and the sides of my hair line are getting thin and Im back to using Propecia again. Its like Im stuck and trying to maintain the two. Do you have any good suggestions? Thanks, Scott

	Answer

Propecia is a 5-alpha reductase blocker. By blocking 5-alpha reductase, Propecia decreases the amount of testosterone being converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is what causes male pattern hair loss. There is no good scientific reason why Propecia should affect your sex drive or workouts. In fact, by preventing the breakdown of testosterone, this may actually enhance your workouts/sex drive. If you were asking my suggestion regarding hair loss, you need to be on propecia (with or without minoxidil) to slow down the miniaturization of hair follicles. If you continue to lose hair, you will need hair transplantation to fill in the thinning areas. Questions? Sincerely, DoctorB@BaumanMedical.com

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