A 22 year old man who is experiencing hair loss, thinning and dry scalp, has tried treatments such as finasteride and minoxidil, and other users sharing their experiences with similar issues.
The user has been using oral finasteride for 15 months and oral minoxidil for 6 months, and developed alopecia areata, for which a dermatologist prescribed calcipotriol/betamethasone. The treatment is helping, but the user is experiencing another shedding phase and is concerned about the effects of the steroid cream and the cause of hair loss.
A 26-year-old is experiencing unexpected hair shedding on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body, along with greasy skin, and has decided to see a doctor. They are seeking advice and support.
The user experienced side effects from using finasteride, both topically and orally, alongside minoxidil for hair loss. They reported increased hair shedding and are feeling distressed about their receding hairline.
A user experienced severe side effects, including heart-related symptoms, after increasing their oral minoxidil dosage to 5 mg, leading them to stop the medication and seek medical advice. Many users advised against high doses of oral minoxidil, suggesting anxiety as a possible cause, and recommended consulting a doctor or switching to topical treatments.
User noticed beard and sideburn hair loss, and thinning eyebrows, diagnosed with alopecia barbae and male pattern baldness, and prescribed Desonide cream. User seeks feedback on Desonide cream.
A 20-year-old FTM individual started finasteride for hair loss with initial success but experienced increased shedding after 7 months. They are considering oral minoxidil as advised by their doctor to address the worsening hair loss.
The user experienced hair improvement using a topical finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin combo, along with supplements like zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin D3, K2, iodine, and boron. They believe these changes are due to addressing mineral deficiencies and possibly thyroid issues, despite skepticism from others.
A 25-year-old is experiencing chronic telogen effluvium (TE) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) after surgery, using finasteride, red light therapy, and supplements, and considering oral minoxidil despite heart concerns. They are unsure whether to start minoxidil before or after an upcoming surgery, which may trigger another hair shed.
A 23-year-old male is using finasteride (1mg daily), derma rolling, and Nizoral for hair loss treatment, experiencing increased shedding and side effects like anxiety, decreased libido, and fatigue. Despite no positive changes in hair after three months, he plans to continue finasteride and may consider RU58841 or CB as future treatments, avoiding minoxidil due to past negative experiences.
An 18-year-old has been using minoxidil since March 2024 with good results but experienced sexual side effects from topical finasteride and oral finasteride, leading to stress and heavy hair shedding. They are concerned about the side effects of finasteride, potential initial shedding, and whether stopping finasteride will worsen hair loss.
The user has been taking 1mg finasteride daily for a year with no improvement in hair loss and reports low cortisol levels, sleep issues, and anxiety changes. The conversation includes discussions on the potential effects of finasteride on cortisol and neurosteroids, with suggestions to consult a doctor and consider other factors.
A user experienced erectile issues after 7 months of using Finasteride and sought advice. Responses varied, with some suggesting breaks and others sharing similar side effects or dismissing concerns.
The conversation is about experiencing hyper-trichosis from taking oral Castor Oil. The user reports increased hair growth on the stomach and legs but is not concerned as it is harmless and will stop when the treatment stops.
The user is experiencing asymmetrical hair loss at the frontal hairline and is concerned about potential conditions like frontal fibrosing alopecia. They have started using finasteride and pumpkin seed oil to address the issue.
An 18-year-old experienced initial hair improvement with minoxidil but noticed increased shedding after surgery and lifestyle changes. They suspect iron deficiency and are seeking other possible explanations for the hair loss.
Feeding bacteria-free mice with Lactobacillus murinus worsened hair loss, but a regular diet with biotin stopped it. The conversation suggests gut bacteria and diet may influence hair loss, with some skepticism and discussion about other factors like DHT and genetics.
Minoxidil can cause face bloating, especially when combined with microneedling, as it may increase systemic absorption. Alternatives like Stemoxidine or Aminexil are considered, and some users find relief by adjusting application timing or switching brands.
The conversation discusses severe hair shedding and thinning, with the original poster using finasteride, oral minoxidil, and other supplements without improvement. The discussion highlights the possibility of telogen effluvium and the importance of addressing potential underlying health issues, such as stress and gut health, rather than assuming diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA).
A 33-year-old man experienced diffuse thinning and hair shedding due to sleep deprivation and low testosterone. After starting hCG treatment, he noticed hair regrowth on his temples.
The conversation is about a user experiencing excessive hair growth on their body due to using topical minoxidil and dutasteride. The suggested solutions are shaving off the excess hair or considering laser epilation. It is mentioned that dutasteride does not cause extra hair growth, while minoxidil can stimulate hair growth in unintended areas. The user is advised to lower the dosage, concentration, or frequency of use and only apply the treatment to the desired areas.
The conversation is about someone seeking a doctor in the EU who prescribes spironolactone or bicalutamide for female pattern hair loss, as they are having difficulty finding treatment options beyond Minoxidil in Austria. They are asking for recommendations and are open to direct messages for assistance.
The user started using oral minoxidil and estradiol in August 2025, added finasteride in December, and experienced significant hair shedding in February/March. They switched to estradiol injections and are considering their hair washing routine, while another user suggested consulting a dermatologist and possibly trying dutasteride.
Finasteride may affect male offspring's fertility and hormonal balance, with debates on whether to discontinue use before conception. Some users report no issues, while others highlight the high doses used in rat studies.
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.
A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.
Caffeine might raise stress hormones, potentially worsening hair loss. Telogen effluvium is often misattributed to minor stressors rather than significant life events.
The user experienced initial shedding but saw regrowth after seven months using oral minoxidil (1.75mg) and a dandruff shampoo. They plan to try Spironolactone and possibly metformin for PCOS-related hair issues.
Intermittent fasting may inhibit hair growth by triggering a stress response that affects hair-follicle stem cells. Some users believe genetics and DHT play a larger role in hair loss, and treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride are mentioned as ineffective for some.
A user reported worsening hair shedding and thinning after 6 months of daily dutasteride, despite also using minoxidil, bicalutamide, and recently adding RU58841. They are considering stopping dutasteride due to lack of improvement.