Derek from More Plates More Dates Was Right About Finasteride - Here's the Proof

Derek from More Plates More Dates Was Right About Finasteride - Here's the Proof

Derek from More Plates More Dates has been warning guys about finasteride for years. While doctors hand out Propecia prescriptions like candy and Big Pharma rakes in billions, Derek's been telling the uncomfortable truth about what this drug actually does to your body.

Most guys ignored him. They thought he was being paranoid or overly cautious. They trusted their dermatologists over a YouTube influencer.

Big mistake.

Now, years later, the evidence is overwhelming. Derek wasn't fear-mongering – he was trying to save your hormones, your sex life, and your sanity.

Derek Called It: Finasteride Destroys More Than DHT

When Derek first started talking about finasteride's side effects, the medical establishment dismissed him. "Only 2% of users experience side effects," they said. "The benefits outweigh the risks."

Derek knew better. He understood that blocking 5-alpha reductase doesn't just stop DHT production – it disrupts your entire hormonal cascade.

Here's what Derek explained that your doctor won't:

Finasteride blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. But this same enzyme is responsible for creating other crucial neurosteroids like allopregnanolone, which regulates mood, sleep, and cognitive function.

When you mess with 5-alpha reductase, you're not just blocking DHT – you're potentially destroying your brain's ability to produce the chemicals that keep you mentally sharp and emotionally stable.

Derek saw this coming. Your dermatologist didn't.

The Post-Finasteride Syndrome Reality Check

Derek was one of the first major voices to acknowledge Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) as a real phenomenon, not just "anxiety" or "placebo effect" like the medical establishment claimed.

The symptoms Derek warned about are now documented in thousands of men:

  • Persistent erectile dysfunction even after stopping the drug
  • Complete loss of libido that doesn't recover
  • Brain fog and cognitive impairment
  • Depression and suicidal ideation
  • Penile shrinkage and loss of sensation
  • Insomnia and sleep disorders

The medical community spent years denying these effects existed. Derek was calling it out while doctors were still prescribing it like aspirin.

The PFS Foundation now has over 4,000 documented cases of men whose lives were destroyed by finasteride. Derek tried to prevent you from becoming one of them.

Derek's Alternative Approach: Target DHT Locally

While Derek was warning about finasteride's systemic destruction, he was also researching better alternatives. He understood what most dermatologists still don't: you can block DHT at the hair follicle level without nuking your entire hormonal system.

Derek frequently discussed topical DHT blockers like RU58841 – compounds that work directly at the scalp without entering your bloodstream in significant amounts.

This is exactly what Derek was advocating for:

  • Local DHT suppression at the hair follicle
  • Minimal systemic absorption
  • Preservation of natural testosterone and DHT levels elsewhere in the body
  • No interference with neurosteroid production

Derek understood that hair loss is a localized problem that doesn't require a systemic nuclear option.

The Studies Derek Referenced (That Your Doctor Ignores)

Derek always backed up his claims with research. Here are some of the studies he referenced that most doctors conveniently ignore:

Sexual dysfunction rates are much higher than reported: Independent studies show sexual side effects in 15-20% of users, not the "less than 2%" that pharmaceutical companies claim.

Persistent effects are real: Multiple studies have now confirmed that sexual, mental, and physical side effects can persist long after stopping finasteride.

Neurosteroid disruption: Research shows finasteride significantly reduces allopregnanolone levels, explaining the depression and cognitive issues Derek warned about.

DHT's importance beyond hair: Studies confirm DHT plays crucial roles in muscle development, bone density, mood regulation, and sexual function – all things Derek emphasized.

Your doctor probably hasn't read these studies. Derek has.

The Derek Test: Are You Willing to Risk It All for Hair?

Derek always asked the critical question that dermatologists don't: Is saving your hair worth potentially destroying your masculinity?

Here's Derek's logic:

  • Hair loss is aesthetic and manageable with topical treatments
  • Sexual dysfunction is life-destroying and potentially permanent
  • You can be bald and still be a high-functioning man
  • You can't be sexually dysfunctional and maintain the same quality of life

Derek understood that finasteride represents a terrible risk-reward ratio. You're gambling your hormonal health for cosmetic improvement.

The men who listened to Derek kept their sex drive, their mental clarity, and their confidence. They found alternative solutions that didn't require hormonal suicide.

The men who ignored Derek? Many of them are now part of PFS support groups, desperately trying to recover what they lost.

What Derek Would Tell You Today

If Derek were advising you right now, here's what he'd say:

Stop taking finasteride immediately if you're experiencing any side effects. Don't wait. Don't hope it gets better. Your hormones are more important than your hairline.

Consider topical alternatives that don't go systemic. RU58841 combined with minoxidil can provide similar or better results without the hormonal destruction.

Focus on overall optimization. Good sleep, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management will do more for your appearance and confidence than any drug.

Don't trust doctors who dismiss your concerns. If your dermatologist won't discuss finasteride's risks or alternative treatments, find someone who will.

Derek Was Right, Your Doctor Was Wrong

The evidence is now overwhelming. Derek's warnings about finasteride have been vindicated by thousands of men's experiences and independent research.

Meanwhile, the medical establishment continues prescribing a drug that can permanently destroy sexual function for a cosmetic problem that has safer alternatives.

Derek understood what your doctor doesn't: Your hormones are the foundation of your masculinity. Once you damage them, everything else falls apart – your confidence, your relationships, your quality of life.

Hair loss is manageable. Hormonal destruction isn't.

The Smart Path Forward

Derek's approach was always about intelligent optimization, not desperate measures. If you're dealing with hair loss, follow Derek's logic:

  1. Assess the real impact – Is your hair loss actually affecting your life that much?
  2. Try topical solutions first – Address the problem locally without systemic effects
  3. Optimize everything else – Sleep, diet, exercise, stress management
  4. Never sacrifice core function for aesthetics – Your hormones are more important than your hairline

Derek tried to save you from making a decision you'd regret forever. The question is: are you finally ready to listen?


Ready to try Derek's approach? Our RU58841 + Minoxidil serum targets DHT locally without the systemic destruction Derek warned about. Stop gambling with your hormones.

Back to blog