A female user starting Spironolactone treatment for thinning hair, and others sharing their experiences with Minoxidil and oral/sublingual Minoxidil as treatments.
A user is frustrated that their dermatologist requires blood and sperm tests before prescribing oral finasteride, despite already taking oral minoxidil. They prefer oral medication over topical treatments due to sensory issues and are considering asking their GP for a finasteride prescription or seeking alternatives online.
The user started oral finasteride and minoxidil in November 2024, initially saw improvement, but has experienced increased shedding since April 2025. They are concerned the treatment may not be effective anymore and seek advice.
The conversation is about hair loss and the possibility of maintaining a full head of hair while using anabolic steroids. Some users believe that having good hair genes and taking hair loss protocols can help prevent hair loss while on steroids.
The user switched from Finasteride to Dutasteride due to hair shedding but experienced potential side effects like puffy nipples. They are considering switching back to Finasteride and are concerned about regaining lost hair.
A user experienced significant hair growth using oral dutasteride and minoxidil but developed severe erectile dysfunction, likely exacerbated by obesity and diabetes. They plan to lose weight and possibly adjust medication to alleviate side effects.
A 29-year-old is using oral minoxidil, finasteride, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and microneedling for hair regrowth. They started balding at 20, worsened at 25, and are transitioning with testosterone blockers.
A 28-year-old male is experiencing excessive hair shedding despite using oral and topical minoxidil, and occasionally using ketoconazole shampoo. He is considering trying GHK-Cu serums but cannot use finasteride.
Akinfenrawr experienced negative side effects from oral finasteride and RU58841, and is seeking alternative hair loss treatments. They discuss various options, including raloxifene, oral dutasteride, liposomal finasteride, Breezula, Pyrilutamide, SM04554, and sulforaphane, but have concerns about efficacy, availability, and cost.
Ashwagandha is used to reduce stress and improve sleep, while finasteride is taken for hair loss. Users report positive effects from ashwagandha and mixed results from finasteride, with some experiencing a slight dip in libido.
A user plans to stop finasteride to improve sperm quality for conception and seeks advice on minimizing hair loss during the break, considering using topical minoxidil and medicated shampoo. Responses suggest continuing finasteride with precautions or highlight the lack of strong alternatives to finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss prevention.
Dutasteride raises scalp testosterone by 99%, which may not be ideal for those sensitive to all androgens. Some argue finasteride's balancing act might be better, while others believe dutasteride is superior for hair regrowth.
The user shared their hormone levels over time while using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss. They experienced a significant drop in DHT levels but continued to lose hair, hoping for better results in the future.
Minoxidil caused water retention and gastrointestinal issues for the user, which improved after stopping the medication. The user is now using finasteride and topical minoxidil, experiencing excessive urination and concerns about systemic absorption.
A user experienced increased hair shedding after taking pumpkin seed oil for 4 weeks and is unsure if it's a "dread shed" or if the oil isn't suitable. They cannot tolerate anti-androgens like spironolactone and finasteride due to side effects and are seeking advice on whether to continue with pumpkin seed oil.
Female with aga tried minoxidil 5% and spironolactone, no success yet. Gladyator96 suggests waiting 6 months, adding tretinoin or dermarolling with minoxidil.
Hair loss is distressing, with treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and spironolactone commonly used despite potential side effects. Emphasis is placed on maintaining mental health and self-worth beyond hair appearance.
The user experienced negative side effects from saw palmetto, including low libido and energy, and found some improvement after using Maca and Acetyl L-Carnitine. They emphasize lifestyle changes and positivity for recovery, while expressing caution about saw palmetto's side effects.
A user shared their hair restoration journey after a botched transplant, highlighting successful results with 8000 grafts and 5mg oral minoxidil, while choosing not to use finasteride due to potential side effects. The user reported no side effects from minoxidil, except for extra body hair, and expressed satisfaction with the current results.
Switching from topical to oral minoxidil caused prolonged hair shedding without regrowth, leading to the use of both topical and oral minoxidil with oral finasteride. Responses to these treatments vary, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches.
Dutasteride at 0.5 mg/day does not significantly alter allopregnanolone levels, but higher doses (2.5 mg/day) do. Dutasteride may also have anti-neuroinflammatory effects, but the impact on neurosteroids is still debated.
The user experienced severe scalp itching and hair loss while on dutasteride, which they linked to caffeine and masturbation. They plan to cut out both to see if their hair density improves.
The user experienced increased hair shedding after one month on 0.25 mg finasteride, despite initial improvement. This shedding may be a normal phase in the hair cycle and could improve in the coming months.
Insulin resistance may increase DHT production, contributing to hair loss, and addressing it through diet, nutrients, and natural DHT blockers like saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil could help reverse hair loss. Some users prefer medications like finasteride for more effective results.
A 23-year-old male is experiencing diffuse hair loss and miniaturization, possibly due to high IGE levels after using tofacitinib. He seeks advice and has not yet consulted a dermatologist.
The user experienced significant hair regrowth with finasteride but noticed recent hair thinning, possibly due to nutrient deficiencies and weight loss. They plan to add microneedling and consider switching to dutasteride.
People discussed hair loss treatments, including finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling, with varying results and concerns about genetics and hormone levels. Some users shared personal experiences with medication dosages and side effects, while others mentioned the impact of stress on hair loss.
A user experienced negative side effects, including low libido and lack of motivation, after using finasteride for hair loss and felt better after stopping it. Others shared similar experiences with finasteride and dutasteride, while some reported no side effects, showing varied individual responses.
The conversation discusses androgen receptor degraders for hair loss, highlighting their potential advantages over traditional AR blockers like RU58841 and pyrilutamide. Concerns about the safety and cost of these treatments are also mentioned.