# Propecia/Finasteride effect on training

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342>\
**Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [August 22, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342 "2020-08-22T16:32:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WK89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@WK89](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/WK89)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342/1 "2020-08-22T16:32:20Z")

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I’m considering taking Propecia/Finasteride to address hair loss and was wondering what effect this medication could have on training, strength gain and lean body mass gain. I understand that no medication is without risk/side effects but I’m still a bit uneasy about manipulating my hormones. Outside of training, are there serious short term and or long term risks with this medication? Is lowering systemic DHT tolerable for most people?

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342/2 "2020-08-22T18:13:33Z")

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I would not expect significant/serious effects on this front.

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**Author:** ![WK89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@WK89](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/WK89)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342/3 "2020-08-22T19:20:33Z")

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> [@Austin\_Baraki](#):
>
> I would not expect significant/serious effects on this front.

Thank you very much Austin. Is your comment with respect to training or general health/wellbeing or both?

Since DHT seems to play an important role, why does lowering it not generally present issues?

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/propecia-finasteride-effect-on-training/9342/4 "2020-08-23T00:10:33Z")

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My comment is with respect to training, although the majority of patients I’ve seen on finasteride tolerate it just fine.

Regarding the second question, I can’t give you a specific mechanistic reason, unfortunately.