A user experienced a "watery belly" and cellulite after starting finasteride, despite maintaining a disciplined fitness routine. Others suggest checking hormone levels, as changes in DHT and estrogen could affect fat metabolism, but age might also be a factor.
The conversation discusses the molecular structures of compounds that reduce DHT levels, including finasteride and Ashwagandha. It explores the potential of using Ashwagandha topically as a 5a reductase inhibitor.
Increasing dutasteride to 2.5 mg daily and adding 2.5 mg oral minoxidil to prevent hair loss during a testosterone cycle. Suggestions include adding RU58841 for better protection against hair loss.
FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.
A 24-year-old male experienced side effects like low libido and ED after starting finasteride post-hair transplant and is seeking alternatives to reduce scalp DHT. Suggestions include topical finasteride, Xpecia, DHT-reducing shampoos, and switching to dutasteride, with some users reporting fewer side effects with these alternatives.
The conversation discusses alternative and unorthodox hair loss treatments, including RU58841, nandrolone, and dianabol, as well as theoretical approaches involving high doses of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators. These methods are considered extreme and potentially harmful but are explored for those unable to tolerate traditional 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
The user switched from finasteride to dutasteride while on TRT to protect against hair loss but is experiencing thinning hair. They are unsure if the issue is due to dutasteride or TRT.
Adipose-derived stem cells with ATP improved hair regrowth in male and female mice with androgenetic alopecia. The most effective treatments were low dose stem cells with ATP for males and medium dose stem cells with non-liposomal ATP for females.
A 19-year-old male shared his negative experience with finasteride, including side effects like vision issues, genital changes, pain, swollen lymph nodes, and mood alterations, which resolved after stopping the medication. He suggests alternative hair loss treatments like exercise, diet, possibly avoiding masturbation, topical anti-androgens, and dermarolling, emphasizing mental health over aesthetics.
Finasteride, Minoxidil, Bioneer CosmeRNA, Technoderma, Kintor, Hope, Breezula, and Follicum treatments showed increases in hair count, with Technoderma showing the highest increase at 24.3 hairs/cm². Amplifica has not yet published results.
A female experiencing hair loss while on testosterone replacement therapy is using oral Minoxidil, Spironolactone, and finasteride, but still losing hair. Suggestions include switching to dutasteride, using topical anti-androgens, and reducing Nizoral shampoo use to prevent scalp dryness.
The conversation discusses using zinc sulphate and azelaic acid to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase activity, which could potentially treat androgen-related skin conditions like hair loss. Combining these with vitamin B6 could enhance the effect, potentially offering an alternative to finasteride.
The conversation discusses using finasteride topically for hair loss and concerns about potential side effects like feminization and impact on muscle growth. One person shared their experience with finasteride, indicating it increased testosterone and did not prevent them from gaining muscle or strength.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to hair loss, and supplementation with vitamin D can improve conditions like androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Users discussed various dosages of vitamin D, emphasizing the importance of getting blood tests to determine the appropriate amount.
KX-826 Phase II results show that a 0.5% concentration performs better than 1% for treating male pattern baldness. Concerns about receptor upregulation from long-term DHT antagonism were mentioned.
The user experienced a significant drop in libido and erectile issues after increasing their finasteride dosage, combining oral and topical treatments. They plan to take a break and resume using a lower concentration of topical finasteride to manage side effects.
The conversation discusses using Botox to treat male pattern baldness, suggesting it may promote hair growth by increasing scalp blood flow and oxygen, reducing dihydrotestosterone levels. The user wonders why this treatment is not widely discussed or if it has been discredited.
Creatine might speed up hair loss in those prone to male pattern baldness, possibly due to increased DHT levels. Some users experience no issues when using creatine with treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, or dutasteride.
The user is using RU58841, finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil to slow down aggressive hair loss but is still experiencing hair shedding due to high testosteronelevels. They plan to use ostarine to lower testosterone and prevent hair loss while maintaining muscle mass, and will continue using the other treatments.
A 25-year-old male experiencing hair loss and thinning since age 20 is seeking advice on effective DHT inhibitors. He lists various oral and topical treatments, excluding Minoxidil due to adverse effects.
The user is pausing finasteride for blood donation and is concerned about its effect on DHT levels. They plan to supplement with saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil during the pause.
Many users experienced increased diffuse thinning after starting finasteride, with some switching to dutasteride or adding minoxidil in hopes of improvement. Thyroid issues and low ferritin levels were also discussed as potential factors affecting hair loss.
A 30-year-old woman with androgenetic alopecia is considering bicalutamide to slow hair loss but is concerned about its impact on muscle growth due to its anti-androgen effects. Alternatives suggested include dutasteride, spironolactone, RU58841, and minoxidil, with concerns about bicalutamide's side effects.
Saw palmetto, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, caused unexpected side effects like breast changes and altered semen consistency, which resolved after stopping its use. Concerns about similar side effects with finasteride or dutasteride were expressed, and another user reported low libido and depression from saw palmetto.
A user reports persistent sexual side effects three months after stopping finasteride, despite a healthy lifestyle and supplements. They express concern over the lack of libido and infrequent erections.
The post discusses a theory that hair regrowth after transplant is due to the angiogenesis process (new blood vessels forming), not because the transplanted hair is unaffected by DHT. The responses highlight the established belief in 'donor dominance' (the importance of the hair's origin in transplantation) and skepticism about the new theory.
The conversation is about managing allopregnanolone deficiency caused by 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride or dutasteride. Specific treatments discussed for hair loss include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
Some people have low sulfotransferase enzyme levels, affecting their response to minoxidil. Lifestyle factors, genetics, and diet, like MSM intake, might influence these enzyme levels.
Creatine may increase DHT levels, potentially affecting hair loss in some individuals, but opinions vary. Some users report hair loss while on creatine, while others see no effect, especially when using treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling.