Can using Propecia make it harder to put on muscle?

[Shaddy]

Propecia somehow stops the conversion of testosterone into DHT. High DHT levels is responsible in some men to acquire male pattern baldness.

According to several articles I’ve read, DHT is a powerful androgen. Since higher androgen levels help build muscle, especially in those who perform weight-bearing exercises, will taking Propecia possibly be a hindrance to a bodybuilder trying to put on as much muscle as possible?

[ultrafilter]

I’ve heard advice to that effect before.

[Shaddy]

Anyone else have any info on this?

[Doctor_Jackson]

Here is the relevant portion of an answer to the same question posted on the American Running Association web site:

The mechanism of action of finasteride is to inhibit the steroid 5-alpha reductase, which is an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone into the potent androgen 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This enzyme is a Type II isoenzyme and is found primarily in the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides and hair follicles as well as the liver, but not the muscle. What this means is that the activity of the finasteride is confined almost exclusively to the target organs and should not affect muscle mass or athletic performance. The anti-androgen action of this medication is confined almost entirely to the scalp and prostate.

Finasteride is the active ingredient in Propecia (hair loss) and Proscar (prostate). Seems from all I can find on the web that you have no worries, except getting to the gym. And working out. With enthusiasm. A bunch. Till it hurts.

And since I have been MIA for awaile, I’ll post my disclaimer - I’m not a real doctor. My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Anything I say that you cannot confirm independantly should be taken as a lie. Etc, etc, hurrumph, hurrumph.