The conversation discusses dealing with hair shedding from oral minoxidil, with suggestions like using hair fibers, cutting hair shorter, or wearing a hat to manage appearance. It also touches on mental coping strategies and the potential benefits of combining treatments like finasteride or dutasteride.
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.
The user is using Dutasteride (90.5mg) and Minoxidil (2.5mg) for hair loss since October 2025 and is seeking feedback on their progress. They provided comparison photos from October 2025 and January 2026.
The user has been using a strong combination of hair loss treatments for 16 months, including Finasteride, Minoxidil, Dutasteride, and RU-58841, but their hair loss has worsened. They're questioning whether their high testosterone levels or residual scalp DHT are causing further hair loss, with a reply suggesting that even small amounts of DHT can cause hair loss if one is sensitive to it.
A 26-year-old man shared his positive results after 10 months of treating male pattern baldness using a regimen that includes Estradiol Enanthate, DHPA, Bicalutamide, Dutasteride, oral and topical Minoxidil, and a dermaroller. He experienced mild gynecomastia and reduced body hair as side effects but was satisfied with the outcome.
A 21-year-old male has been using minoxidil and 0.5 mg dutasteride for hair loss but is experiencing worsening hairline and thinning. He is considering increasing dutasteride dosage, adding finasteride, or waiting before opting for a hair transplant.
People are discussing the use of finasteride for hair loss and the importance of hormonal blood testing to monitor effects like changes in DHT and estradiol levels. Some users also mention using minoxidil and the potential side effects of estradiol, such as gynecomastia, especially at higher doses.
The user switched from finasteride to dutasteride for hair loss treatment, also using topical minoxidil, micro needling, keto shampoo, and PRP sessions. They've seen improvements, with reduced hair shedding and new hair growth, especially at the hairline.
The user experienced significant hair thinning despite using finasteride and minoxidil, leading to concerns about whether it's a temporary shed or a more serious issue. They plan to start using RU58841 and are advised to consult a doctor to rule out other causes like autoimmune disorders.
A user shared progress pictures 1.5 months after a hair transplant of 3500 grafts, using oral finasteride, topical finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamins. They are concerned about potential shock loss and the thinning appearance.
People are using lower doses of finasteride than the recommended 1mg daily due to concerns about side effects, cost, and new data suggesting lower doses can be nearly as effective. Some users report stability or slight improvements with lower doses, but the effectiveness compared to 1mg daily is debated.
A user shared their pre-finasteride lab results, including DHT, estradiol, testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, FSH, and LH levels. Another user responded, cautioning against making unsupported claims about side effects and recovery.
A 26-year-old man with diffuse alopecia is using electric scalp massage, dermastamp, and multivitamins for treatment but is intolerant to finasteride. A dermatologist recommended PRP and mesotherapy with exosomes and dutasteride.
A 19-year-old male shared his 10-month progress using finasteride, starting at 0.25mg and increasing to 1.25mg daily, noting new hair growth at the temples. He experienced a significant shed at 6 months but reported no side effects from increasing the dosage.
A user shared a 9-month update on using 0.25mg finasteride daily for hair maintenance, reporting no significant side effects and considering whether to add other treatments like a dermastamp or ketoconazole. The user has not used minoxidil, believes it's unnecessary unless hair loss is severe, and occasionally takes biotin supplements.
A user shared their 2-month progress using 1mg finasteride daily, 5% minoxidil with 0.1% finasteride topically twice a day, and Vitamin D3 weekly. They experienced initial side effects like weaker erections and mood swings, which resolved after one month.
Chime Biologics and Hope Medicine are speeding up the launch of a first-in-class antibody drug, HMI-115, for endometriosis and androgenic alopecia. The treatment involves a series of subcutaneous injections, has shown promising results in phase 1, and continues to promote hair regrowth even after the treatment is stopped.
A user needs to stop finasteride for 7 days to donate blood due to haemochromatosis. They are concerned if this break will affect their hair loss progress after 6 weeks of use.
Higher doses of dutasteride reduce scalp DHT more effectively than finasteride, but have diminishing returns after 3mg daily and may cause more side effects. Combining dutasteride with topical minoxidil can enhance results, but using both finasteride and dutasteride together is unnecessary.
A 28-year-old male is experiencing temple regrowth but crown thinning while using 5mg minoxidil and 0.5mg dutasteride. The shedding phase is seen as a positive sign of treatment effectiveness, with expectations of noticeable improvements around 6 to 12 months.
The user experienced worsening hair density despite using finasteride, minoxidil, dutasteride, and RU58841, with some temporary improvement after stopping RU58841. Currently, they are on 2.5mg dutasteride daily and topical minoxidil, but continue to struggle with hair density issues.
A person experienced severe sexual side effects, including loss of libido and erectile dysfunction, after using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss. They stopped the medications and sought advice, but recovery was slow and uncertain.
Dutasteride effectively stops hair loss but can cause side effects like sexual dysfunction, muscle mass changes, and testicle shrinkage. Adjusting the dosage may help manage these side effects, but long-term health effects remain a concern.
The user shared progress pictures after 10 months using Dutasteride 0.5 mg (Avodart) and Minoxidil 5% (Kirkland) for hair loss. They also lost weight, improving their appearance and making them look younger.
A 16-year-old girl is experiencing hair loss, which has worsened despite using minoxidil and multivitamins. Suggestions include broader hormone testing and considering other treatments like spironolactone if the hair loss is due to androgenic alopecia.
A 24-year-old with mild temple recession is using 5% minoxidil without noticeable effects and has started topical finasteride but is anxious about potential side effects. They are considering a specialist visit for peace of mind despite the cost.