Finasteride and dutasteride may increase estrogen levels, leading to water retention and a fuller face. Users discuss managing these effects with lifestyle changes and supplements like zinc and DIM.
The user has been using oral minoxidil and dutasteride for hair loss without success and is considering adding topical 17α-estradiol, Pyrilutamide, Clascoterone, or cetirizine. They have confirmed low serum DHT levels and are exploring additional treatments due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and prostaglandin D2.
Japanese and Korean diets provide sufficient minerals like folate, B12, vitamin D, zinc, iron, and copper, which may reduce androgenic alopecia. High soy consumption, containing phytoestrogens, might also contribute to lower hair loss in these regions.
TDM-105795 showed promising hair growth results, with higher efficacy than placebo and minimal side effects. It activates dormant hair follicle stem cells and may maintain gains without immediate loss, unlike minoxidil.
The user is discussing their hair loss treatment stack, which includes CB-03-01, Fluridil, Alfatradiol, Cosmerna, microneedling, and Stemoxydine. They have seen some new hair growth but wish they could use finasteride.
A user shared their hair regrowth progress using Dutasteride, topical Minoxidil, Spironolactone, and Estradiol Valerate injections as part of hormone replacement therapy for transitioning. They experienced significant hair improvement and personal satisfaction but caution against this approach for non-transitioning individuals due to irreversible changes.
Follicium XR™ is a topical treatment for hair loss containing RU58841, AHK-Cu, GHK-Cu Peptide, caffeine, D-Biotin, methylene blue, keratin, and spermidine. RU58841 is considered the most effective ingredient, but concerns exist about its stability in water.
Finasteride and Dutasteride do not cause depression or "Post Finasteride Syndrome," with concerns often linked to the nocebo effect and preexisting mental health issues. The EU is unlikely to ban these drugs, but access may become more restricted due to ongoing debates.
A 24-year-old shared their 6-month hair regrowth progress using 1mg oral finasteride, 1ml 5% minoxidil, and 1% topical finasteride daily, noting initial side effects that subsided. They addressed vitamin D, B12 deficiencies, and thyroid issues, expressing satisfaction with the results and encouraging patience with the treatment.
Beta-sitosterol may inhibit 5-alpha reductase type 2 enzyme, potentially reducing DHT levels and promoting hair growth, similar to finasteride but possibly with fewer side effects. Its effectiveness and side effects compared to other treatments like saw palmetto and finasteride remain uncertain due to limited research.
The conversation is about a user preparing to join the ABS-201 clinical trial for hair loss treatment, which involves a prolactin inhibitor. The user plans to update others on their progress if enrolled.
Latanoprost/bimatoprost's effectiveness in hair loss treatment is discussed, with its potential to convert vellus hairs to terminal hairs. It works differently from minoxidil and finasteride, and may be best for hairline application, but is not a replacement for them due to price and mechanism.
Fluridil degrades androgen receptors, which are prevalent in the scalp and other tissues. People with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may have higher expression of these receptors and 5AR activity in affected scalp areas.
The user has been using finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole for hair loss, showing good progress without significant side effects. They plan to have a hair transplant in March and hope to eventually stop using oral minoxidil.
Increasing the sult1a1 enzyme on the scalp may improve response to topical minoxidil. The user suggests using a baking soda solution, DMSO, and tretinoin to enhance enzyme activity and minoxidil effectiveness.
A 48-year-old male experienced hair regrowth after using oral finasteride for 3 years, despite stopping due to side effects like depression and low energy. He achieved a fuller look with styling techniques and reported using organic shampoo and herbal treatments.
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.
Long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride may be linked to health risks like fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dry eye disease, and potential kidney disease. Some users believe the risks are low and the medications are generally safe.
A new hair loss treatment, PP405, showed promising Phase 2a results with 31% of patients experiencing over 20% hair density increase without systemic absorption, avoiding hormonal side effects. The treatment is expected to be expensive, with Phase 3 trials starting mid-2026, and there is skepticism about the data's strength.
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.
A 22-year-old female with AGA due to PCOS is using 5% minoxidil foam and 2mg finasteride daily, and is seeking advice on microneedling frequency and safety. Concerns about finasteride dosage and its effects on PCOS were discussed, with emphasis on trusting the prescribed treatment plan.
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.
The user convinced their trichologist to prescribe topical finasteride after using topical estradiol and progesterone for hair maintenance. They also discussed the potential impact of "nofap" on hair loss, noting that abstaining for about four months seemed to reduce shedding.
A 42-year-old experienced significant hair regrowth after 12 weeks on an oral combination of finasteride (1 mg) and minoxidil (2.5 mg), with noticeable improvements and no side effects. The user is considering continuing the treatment for a year due to the unexpected positive results.
Focus on scalp health, not just DHT suppression, is crucial for hair regrowth. Effective treatments include Hair Restoration shampoo, LLLT laser cap, microneedling, and topical finasteride.
A user is concerned about hair loss and acne from a one-week course of 70 mg/day oral prednisolone for severe tinnitus. They are asking if these side effects are common.
A quercetin-encapsulated and polydopamine-integrated nanosystem (PDA@QLipo) shows promise for treating androgenetic alopecia by reshaping the perifollicular microenvironment, outperforming minoxidil in hair regeneration. The nanosystem promotes cell proliferation, hair follicle renewal, and recovery by scavenging reactive oxygen species and enhancing neovascularity.
The user shared their 4-year hair regrowth progress using finasteride, minoxidil, estradiol, and spironolactone. They noted significant regrowth by the second year and additional benefits from estradiol and spironolactone.