New Member looking into depo-provera

[Socks (imported)]

Hello gentlemen and ladies,

As the title indicates, I'm a new member here interested in depo-provera as a way to lower my testosterone levels.

My reasons are a little unorthodox as my reasons are not due to any type of sexual control issues/deviations nor transgender goals. My reason is to get my hairloss under control after unsuccessfully treating such condition with Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) alone.

I've tried Finasteride for almost 2yrs yet I still continue to experience diffused thinning and excessive shedding throughout my entire head for over 3 - 4 years now. I am extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of hairloss and available medication both mainstream (FDA approved) and non-mainstream. I have consider all my options ranging from a more potent 5ar inhibitor (Dutasteride) to various topic anti-androgens, androgen receptor blockers, as well as 5ar inhibitors.

Having consider all my options, depo-provera has interested me the most. My main question is in regard to dosage.

I would like to start by trying to lower my testosterone levels gradually and only to the degree needed to have the desired effect. So I was thinking instead of 150ml IM per month, perhaps 75ml per month or 37.5ml every 2 weeks. I would also continue to take 1.25mg of Finasteride orally.

Does this dosage seem like a good starting point from the opinion of more experienced posters? If after 3 - 6 months I do not atleast halt my hairloss (not planning on any regrowth) then I would up it to 150ml per month.

I would like to maintain some sex drive but I'm willing to lose it for my cause even if it becomes permanent. Are there any other risks I should be concerned over when starting a low dose of depo-provera? I heard calcium loss is one side-effect some women experience with depo-provera. Should this be a concern for me? I'm sure with a low dose of depo-provera I will still produce pre-pubescent, if not slightly higher, levels of testosterone still... Or is it the blocking of estrogen that causes the bone density loss?

Anyhow, I would appreciate any comment pertaining to my questions or remarks.

[Erika28 (imported)]

Depo-Provera leads to osteoporosis, thus the need for calcium to stop/slow down bone loss, if not supplemented with estrogen or androgen.

It leads to osteoporosis because it shuts down the ovaries in females, the testes in males, leading to a substantial decline in androgen and estrogen levels. Both hormones help maintain bone, although after puberty, estrogen seems to play the more crucial role, that of preventing bone loss. Androgen, however, converts to estrogen and provides for a somewhat good supply of estrogen.

Only small doses of estrogen need to be taken to prevent osteoporosis and this occurs less in men, because men usually have thicker, larger bones due to high androgen levels during puberty.

[madscientist1 (imported)]

I take 150mgs./mo. but I can't say I have experienced any hair re-growth. I do appear to be losing less, though. However, my libido is virtually non-existant, which is what I want.