Oral minoxidil is effective for hair loss but may cause side effects like increased heart rate and edema. Finasteride is recommended, with dutasteride as an alternative if needed.
The user is applying topical finasteride with stemoxydine for hair loss and has noticed hair thickening but no regrowth after two months. They also report high SHBG and prolactin levels and a lack of morning erections, even on low doses of medication.
The conversation discusses the potential for high doses of dutasteride to completely inhibit scalp DHT and speculates whether this could cure baldness when combined with a topical antiandrogen. Specific dosages mentioned are 0.5 mg reducing scalp DHT by 55% and 2.5 mg by about 79%.
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.
Dutasteride and oral minoxidil are not yielding noticeable results for some users, with some considering alternatives like microneedling or hair transplants. Others report slowed hair loss but no regrowth, and some experience side effects or minimal improvement, leading to frustration and consideration of different treatments.
User experienced significant hair loss after adding dutasteride to their finasteride and minoxidil regimen. They plan to revert to finasteride only due to lack of improvement.
Dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels, potentially more effectively than finasteride, and is used to treat hair loss. Some users report side effects like reduced libido and mood changes, while others experience hair regrowth and increased testosterone.
The conversation discusses the effects of lowering DHT on hair loss and the importance of monitoring DHT levels during treatment. The user suggests that individual responses to DHT and hair loss treatments vary, and expresses a preference for topical treatments over oral medications due to concerns about systemic DHT reduction.
The conversation discusses using very low dose topical finasteride to achieve specific serum DHT reduction percentages. It concludes that finasteride dosage increases linearly between 5-30% DHT reduction but requires exponential increases for reductions up to 70%.
Some individuals taking finasteride for hair loss report increased libido and frequent masturbation, with no immediate hair regrowth but darker hair appearance. A dermatologist explains that finasteride may raise testosterone levels temporarily, which could lead to increased sex drive in some people.
Dutasteride may inhibit androgen receptors in addition to reducing DHT, potentially explaining its effectiveness over finasteride for hair loss. Concerns about its impact on muscle growth are debated, with some suggesting no significant effects.
Trans women discuss using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss and whether to continue after testosterone suppression. One user reduced dutasteride dosage after achieving undetectable testosterone levels.
Dutasteride and finasteride may temporarily affect semen quality but are unlikely to cause permanent infertility. The Kim et al. study is criticized for poor methodology, and many prefer hair retention over potential fertility concerns, using treatments like dutasteride, finasteride, and minoxidil.
A user on dutasteride for hair loss noticed hair regrowth on their head but a significant reduction in body hair growth. They plan to switch to finasteride and dutasteride and are considering testosterone replacement therapy but are concerned about its effects on hair growth.
The user experienced side effects from oral minoxidil, such as palpitations and insomnia, and switched to topical minoxidil, which led to noticeable hair regrowth, especially at the hairline. They also use finasteride and observed increased hair shedding initially, which later stabilized.
A 21-year-old experienced hormone changes after using self-made topical finasteride for hair loss, including a 20% decrease in DHT, a 47% increase in testosterone, and a 39% increase in estradiol. The user previously used minoxidil and microneedling but is now seeking ways to balance hormones, possibly through supplements or dosage adjustments.
Potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride. Users debate risks, benefits, and personal experiences with these hair loss treatments.
A user reported that taking iron polymaltose significantly reduced their hair loss. They also mentioned hair loss due to DHT and asked if hair loss from iron deficiency is permanent or temporary.
The conversation discusses the use of dutasteride and finasteride for hair loss, with a focus on starting with low doses of dutasteride to match the DHT suppression of finasteride. It highlights the longer half-life and potential side effects of dutasteride, as well as the preference for finasteride due to its availability and research backing.
A user experienced increased estradiol, nipple tenderness, and ED after taking finasteride. They are considering dose reduction to mitigate these effects.
A user experienced severe side effects, including erectile dysfunction and testicular pain, after taking finasteride for hair loss. They recommend sticking to minoxidil and biotin and avoiding finasteride due to potential risks.
The user has been on 1 mg oral finasteride for 12 months but feels they have lost some hair density and are considering switching to dutasteride. They are hesitant to use minoxidil due to scalp irritation and are seeking advice on maintaining hair into their 30s.
The conversation discusses using hormones like pregnenolone and tongkat ali to counteract sexual side effects from hair loss medications such as finasteride, dutasteride, ketoconazole, and minoxidil. The user stopped the other medications but continues using minoxidil while seeking advice on maintaining libido.
A 21-year-old male with advanced hair loss (NW7) started using finasteride and minoxidil 10 months ago but hasn't seen much progress. He is pre-diabetic with stage 1 hypertension and is seeking insights on whether treating these conditions could improve hair regrowth.
An 18-year-old experienced chest pain, headaches, and vomiting after taking oral minoxidil for hair loss. They reduced the dosage, felt better, but experienced sharp chest pain again after increasing it, and are advised to stop the medication and see a doctor.
A user experienced dry, brittle hair after starting dutasteride and considered switching back to finasteride. Another user advised that the dryness is temporary and shared positive results with dutasteride and oral minoxidil after several months.
Finasteride can affect hormone levels, potentially causing symptoms like puffy nipples and testicular pain, and may result in elevated prolactin and high testosterone. The user is seeking interpretation of these changes after taking finasteride.
Oral minoxidil users should monitor heart health with periodic echocardiograms and cardiologist visits due to potential side effects. While some experience serious side effects, they are rare, and the benefits for hair growth often outweigh the risks.