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Prolactin and cortisol are identified as key factors in hair loss, with stress hormones impacting hair shedding. Finasteride and minoxidil are effective treatments, while DHT's role and individual sensitivity are significant factors.

DHT is important for sexual function and mood, but finasteride and dutasteride can reduce DHT, causing side effects like reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. These treatments are effective for hair loss, but their impact on DHT leads to debate.

Finasteride can reduce neuroactive steroids, causing side effects like depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. Some users experience persistent symptoms after stopping finasteride, while others use alternative treatments like topical solutions.

A user's experience with using 5AR inhibitors (Finasteride and Dutasteride) in combination with Minoxidil foam and microneedling, which resulted in substantial improvements to their crown density and hairline, despite high systemic levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.

Athletes often use finasteride to maintain hair transplants, but some avoid it due to potential hormonal effects. Notable examples include Mo Salah and Conor McGregor, while LeBron James has had multiple procedures with varying success.

Checking vitamin and hormone levels is important for addressing hair loss, as deficiencies in vitamin D, zinc, and iron can affect hair growth. Treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamin supplements are used, but addressing deficiencies is crucial for effectiveness.

Finasteride increased testosterone and estrogen, stopped hair loss, and promoted regrowth. Users discussed side effects like libido changes and considered adding minoxidil and aromatase inhibitors.

High DHEA levels may contribute to hair loss by increasing DHT in hair follicles, potentially explaining why finasteride is ineffective for some. Treatments like high-dose dutasteride and RU58841 are suggested, but the underlying cause, such as adrenal issues, should be investigated.

Female (37) experiencing hair loss for 5 years, tried max dose of spiro and oral + topical minox without success. Discovered low cortisol and low DHEA levels, seeking functional medicine practitioner for help.

A 23-year-old male is considering starting Finasteride for hair loss after experiencing persistent shedding and hairline recession, with bloodwork showing normal testosterone levels but low DHEA-S and Vitamin D. He plans to discuss DHEA supplementation with his doctor and has already started Vitamin D supplementation.

A user asked if taking a blood test 3 days after starting finasteride would affect the results for Estradiol, FSH, SHBG, Progesterone, and DHEA-S. The conversation is about the timing of blood tests after beginning finasteride treatment.

The user discusses their hair loss experience, exploring various hypotheses including thyroid levels, vitamin D, DHEA, nutritional deficiency, diabetes, seborrheic dermatitis, lack of nutrition to hair follicles, chronic inflammation, female pattern hair loss causes, cortisol, and prolactin levels. They are currently using finasteride, beta-sitosterol, and have tried topical dutasteride and microneedling therapy.

27-year-old female experiences aggressive hair thinning and hirsutism despite normal testosterone levels. Spironolactone and 2% minoxidil were ineffective; high DHEA sulfate levels may be the cause.

The user shared their personal experience with hair loss, hormone imbalances, and treatments including testosterone boosters, natural estrogen blockers, and DHEA. They suggest that low-dose finasteride and natural hormone therapy could reduce hair loss with fewer side effects.

Finasteride has no effect on the user's estradiol levels, and body fat may influence aromatization. The user is on testosterone replacement therapy and uses everyday injections to manage high RBC count, with plans to measure DHT, DHEA-S, and pregnenolone levels.

A woman experienced increased body hair and acne with minimal hair improvement after switching from topical to oral minoxidil. Suggestions included reducing the oral dose, trying spironolactone, returning to topical minoxidil, or considering laser treatment for body hair.

A transwoman is struggling with hair loss despite using hormones, dutasteride, and Abiraterone, and is considering making her own treatments due to difficulty accessing them. She has also tried Eucapil and regularly uses Nizoral shampoo.

A user's plan to use Zix and topical finasteride (5AR inhibitors) for hair loss, followed by blood testing before/after. The user has suggested creating a fund to cover part of the cost of their blood tests. Replies to their post discuss the effectiveness of the treatments.

A user has been taking finasteride for 5 months with no improvement in diffuse hair loss and suspects high levels of prolactin, cortisol, progesterone, and DHEAS, as well as iron, might be contributing to the issue. They are also taking vitamin D to address a deficiency.

The user is experiencing hair loss despite using estradiol, bicalutamide, dutasteride, and topical minoxidil. They stopped minoxidil temporarily, which worsened their condition, and are considering oral minoxidil but are concerned about side effects and cost.

A 25-year-old male experienced increased testosterone and estradiol levels after starting finasteride for hair loss, leading his doctor to suggest a testicular ultrasound as a precaution. The user questions the necessity of the ultrasound, considering it potentially excessive, while others suggest it could be a useful precaution to rule out any issues.

A 29-year-old male experienced hair loss and reduced libido after heavy drinking from 2020 to 2024, and began using finasteride (1mg daily) and minoxidil (5% topical, once daily) in January 2026, noticing thicker hair but no new regrowth after three months. He also introduced derma rolling in February and plans to continue treatment for 6–12 months before fully assessing results.

A 47-year-old has been using finasteride for 25 years for hair loss, but it's less effective now. Suggestions include switching to dutasteride, stopping anastrozole, and trying minoxidil, microneedling, and possibly TRT.

A 19-year-old experiencing hair loss for two years is using Minoxidil and topical finasteride. They are seeking advice on the type of balding they have and the best treatment approach.

A 19-year-old experiencing hair loss for two years is using Minoxidil and considering starting Finasteride immediately. A user advises starting Finasteride quickly, as Minoxidil alone won't stop hair loss.

A user is concerned about taking 1mg/day of finasteride due to potential gynecomastia, given their blood results. They seek advice on how their hormone levels might be affected by blocking DHT.

The conversation discusses whether dutasteride might cause less depression than finasteride for hair loss treatment, with some users suggesting it could due to different mechanisms of action or molecular size, while others express skepticism or share personal experiences with these medications.

The conclusion of the conversation is that some individuals may experience a condition called reactionary hypergonadism when taking dutasteride for hair loss. This condition can lead to an increase in testosterone levels, which may worsen hair loss instead of improving it.

The conversation is about whether testing for free DHT is necessary before starting Finasteride for hair loss, despite having other hormone tests available. One person suggests that genetic response to DHT is more important than DHT levels and advises starting Finasteride without the free DHT test.

The user recovered from Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) using a specific hormone protocol after trying finasteride and dutasteride. They now help others with PFS by reviewing blood work and offering personalized advice.