Potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride. Users debate risks, benefits, and personal experiences with these hair loss treatments.
The conclusion of the conversation is that the user, who has been using finasteride for 11 years and then switched to dutasteride and minoxidil, has experienced minimal side effects and significant hair regrowth. They also mention that side effects are rare and often related to other factors such as poor diet and low testosterone levels.
The user experienced hair thinning and was diagnosed with alopecia incognito and male pattern baldness. They are using minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride scalp injections, reporting gradual improvement with no side effects.
Adding creatine while using finasteride and minoxidil caused skin irritation and hair thinning. Creatine may affect DHT levels, leading to these issues.
Isopropyl alcohol should not replace ethanol in homemade topical finasteride serums due to potential toxicity with frequent use. Denatured ethanol, also known as parfum or cosmetic alcohol, is a safer alternative.
Kintor Pharma has finished enrolling the first patient in a Phase III trial for KX-826, a treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). One user has set a reminder to check back on the topic in a year.
User starts Nuclear Stack treatment for hair loss, including Dutasteride, Minoxidil, RU58841, Derminator 2, and supplements. Seeks advice on storing and dosing RU58841.
A user has been experiencing hair loss for 4 years, with treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and various supplements proving ineffective. They were diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, a condition that may require a combination of anti-inflammatory and hair growth treatments.
A user shared their 7-month progress using 1mg daily Dutasteride and 2.5-5mg daily oral Minoxidil for diffuse unpatterned alopecia, showing significant hair regrowth with reduced shedding and no side effects. They experienced a severe initial shed but now have visual improvement, despite hair still being thinner than before.
User discusses using finasteride, ketoconazole, fish oil, nettle root, saw palmetto, emu oil, and plans to start minoxidil for hair loss. They report maintaining hair with minor side effects like slightly lower libido and watery semen.
The user experienced increased hair shedding after using RU58841 for two months, but found relief from scalp itchiness. Other users shared similar shedding experiences and discussed side effects like joint pain, while also mentioning the use of finasteride and minoxidil.
The user is treating androgenetic alopecia with finasteride and discovered a folic acid deficiency. They are asking if curing the deficiency can worsen or improve their hair condition.
The user experienced significant hair regrowth after switching from topical minoxidil to oral minoxidil and finasteride, later transitioning to dutasteride and continuing with oral minoxidil. They reported no side effects and are optimistic about further improvements.
The user has been using liposomal topical finasteride since late 2022, progressively increasing the dose, but DHT serum levels remain largely unchanged. Despite using finasteride, minoxidil, microneedling, and ketoconazole, hair condition has neither improved nor worsened.
The user experienced some hair regrowth after 4 months of inconsistent use of topical finasteride and minoxidil, with no noticeable side effects. Others suggest trying oral finasteride and minoxidil for better consistency.
The clinic diagnosed the user with NW3 and AGA, noting thinning hair despite using finasteride for 3 years, and suggested PRP and Mesotherapy before considering a transplant. The user questions the necessity of these treatments without confirming retrograde alopecia and its treatability.
The user stopped using minoxidil 5 weeks ago due to facial swelling, which initially subsided but then returned. Despite a healthy lifestyle and normal test results, the user is concerned about the persistent bloating.
A 22-year-old male uses dutasteride, a serum with 10% minoxidil and 0.5% finasteride, and microneedling for diffuse androgenetic alopecia. Progress pictures show changes from July 2025 to February 2026.
The user has maintained hair thickness using oral finasteride and minoxidil for four years, with suggestions to consider dutasteride or a hair transplant for further improvement. Some users recommend trying topical minoxidil with tretinoin or increasing the oral minoxidil dose for better results.
A 37-year-old male resolved scalp folliculitis by adopting a low-histamine diet and taking Vitamin A, Zinc, and Fish Oil, leading to better skin health and thicker hair. He warns about the potential toxicity of excessive Vitamin A intake.
A user shared their 75-day progress using oral minoxidil, finasteride, ketoconazole shampoo, and dermastamping for retrograde alopecia, reporting significant improvement and increased body hair without side effects. They also discussed quitting smoking and the potential correlation between early beard growth and male pattern baldness.
The user shared their experience with CB-03-01 (Breezula/Clascoterone) for hair loss, noting reduced shedding and improved hair appearance but experiencing significant sleep disturbances and low energy due to HPA axis suppression. They decided to stop using it due to these side effects and are waiting for GT20029 as an alternative.
A 21-year-old male diagnosed with telogen effluvium and male pattern baldness started taking finasteride, which initially slowed hair shedding and slightly thickened hair. The doctor recommended iron and vitamin D supplements, and the user is considering minoxidil but wants to stabilize shedding first.
Dutasteride caused persistent hair shedding and no improvement for 18 months, leading to a switch back to finasteride. The user also uses oral minoxidil and plans to focus on better scalp health.
The user shared a 6-month aggressive hair loss treatment progress, using oral minoxidil, finasteride/minoxidil topical, dutasteride, derma stamping, Nizoral, and daily Cialis, which notably improved regrowth. Commenters observed significant improvement, with one noting a change from a Norwood 5 to a Norwood 1 in hair loss classification.
The user recommends washing hair twice daily with glycerin soap, using finasteride and minoxidil, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, and maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. They claim these methods have significantly improved their hair health over 25 years.
A user shared their positive experience with a clinical trial for a new oral medication, VDPHL01, which is a reformulated version of oral minoxidil taken at a high dose of 17mg daily, showing significant hair regrowth after six months. The user noted that this formulation is believed to be more effective and time-released, with fewer side effects compared to regular oral minoxidil.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is discussed as a potential treatment for androgenic alopecia due to its ability to reverse hypoxia and promote angiogenesis. The conversation explores its potential benefits for hair loss, though no studies have been conducted on this application yet.
User reports worsening hair loss despite using Avodart 0.5mg daily and 2ml of Minoxidil daily for over three years. They maintain a healthy lifestyle and are athletic.
A male with early-stage hair loss experienced severe side effects, including sexual dysfunction from finasteride and increased heart rate and fatigue from high-dose minoxidil, leading to discontinuation of both treatments. He is now relying on DHT-blocking shampoos and awaiting new treatments.