Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841 are discussed as treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The conversation questions their effectiveness and whether they are scams.
A 29-year-old male on 1 mg Finasteride for 3 months has experienced a significant increase in testosterone and estradiol levels, with no major side effects except slightly oilier skin and increased emotional sensitivity. The user is concerned about these hormonal changes and seeks advice, as their general practitioner is not knowledgeable about the issue.
Some users have experienced good hair regrowth with estradiol, cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, and bicalutamide, but these treatments may cause feminization and other side effects. It's advised to consult a doctor before using these treatments, as they can lower testosterone and have significant risks.
Topical finasteride can be as effective as oral finasteride for hair regrowth with fewer systemic side effects, but precise dosing is essential. Combining oral dutasteride with topical finasteride is not recommended due to dutasteride's stronger inhibition.
Oral minoxidil dosing should be based on body weight to minimize side effects, with higher doses increasing risks like pericardial effusion. Combining oral minoxidil with topical treatments and finasteride can improve hair growth, but regular heart health monitoring is essential.
Concerns about the long-term safety of VDPHL01, an extended-release minoxidil, due to potential risks similar to Cantu syndrome, were raised, highlighting the lack of monitoring for chronic connective tissue changes. The conversation suggests that while the treatment may improve hair growth, it could lead to issues not detected in short-term trials.
A dermatologist prescribed 0.625mg of oral minoxidil daily without a DHT blocker, which some users disagree with, suggesting a combination with finasteride or dutasteride for better results. Others argue starting with a low dose of minoxidil is standard to test tolerance before considering additional treatments.
Body hair is more resilient than scalp hair due to different gene expressions and DHT sensitivity. Treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are used for hair loss, but they have varying effects on body and scalp hair.
Liver problems may reduce the effectiveness of oral minoxidil due to impaired SULT1A1 enzyme activity, which is crucial for converting minoxidil to its active form. This reduction in enzyme function can significantly decrease the drug's effectiveness in promoting hair growth.
New hair growth from minoxidil and finasteride is not reaching full length, possibly due to slow growth cycles. Users discuss dosing strategies for oral minoxidil to improve efficacy and minimize side effects, with advice against consuming topical minoxidil orally.
A dutasteride simulator predicts that daily 0.5 mg dosing results in higher DHT suppression compared to less frequent dosing. Twice-weekly dutasteride may be as effective as finasteride 5 mg, providing a balance between efficacy and ease of use.
Topical finasteride is almost as effective as oral finasteride with fewer side effects. Users are considering between oral and topical finasteride for hair loss treatment.
Oral minoxidil has gained popularity as a hair loss treatment, with more online discussions and research showing it's safe in low doses. A viral New York Times article also contributed to its increased acceptance.
P5P supplementation helped reverse finasteride side effects, particularly by lowering prolactin levels and restoring sensitivity. The user experienced significant improvement within a day and full recovery in a few days.
A user is experiencing side effects like less hard erections and sensitive nipples while on finasteride, with bloodwork showing high prolactin levels. They are seeking suggestions to address the prolactin issue.
A 24-year-old male experiencing diffused thinning discusses his DHT levels and hair density issues. He has not used finasteride or dutasteride and is considering AR inhibitors.
Balding scalps have more androgen receptors, leading to increased TGF-beta, which causes blood vessel loss and hair follicle miniaturization. Blocking androgen signaling and TGF-beta may help prevent hair loss.
Saw palmetto, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, caused unexpected side effects like breast changes and altered semen consistency, which resolved after stopping its use. Concerns about similar side effects with finasteride or dutasteride were expressed, and another user reported low libido and depression from saw palmetto.
The conversation discusses the idea of naturally lowering testosterone levels to potentially reduce DHT and help with hair loss, though it is speculative and not tested by the original poster. Participants suggest using treatments like finasteride, dutasteride, or RU58841 instead, as they directly target DHT without reducing testosterone.
The conversation discusses using finasteride or dutasteride to reduce DHT, CosmeRNA to target androgen receptors, and Minoxidil as a vasodilator for hair growth. The regimen aims to maintain hair by addressing DHT-AR ratio and continuous Minoxidil use.
Natural DHT blockers caused negative side effects like weak erections and depression, while finasteride improved overall well-being and cleared acne. Users shared similar experiences, finding finasteride effective without the adverse effects of natural treatments.
The conversation discusses using P5P (Vitamin B6) supplements to reduce elevated Prolactin levels and concerns about its potential effect on increasing DHT levels. The user is not currently using finasteride or any anti-androgens.
The conversation is about the effectiveness of topical azelaic acid in blocking DHT for hair loss treatment. Specific treatments discussed include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
Caffeine may promote hair growth and potentially inhibit 5-α-reductase activity in hair follicles, but its effectiveness and systemic impact remain unclear. Users discuss using topical caffeine solutions, with some experiencing no side effects compared to finasteride.
A 19-year-old male switched from finasteride and minoxidil to dutasteride due to continued hair thinning and is experiencing increased nipple sensitivity and a small lump, raising concerns about gynecomastia. Suggestions include slowing the transition, checking hormone levels, and considering an aromatase inhibitor.
The post discusses a hair loss treatment regimen using saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil extract, EGCG (green tea) extract, grape seed oil extract, rosemary oil extract, and Zix. The user plans to use these DHT-blockers and 5AR inhibitors for six months and report the results.
A 27-year-old is experiencing significant hair loss despite using a combination of 0.5mg dutasteride daily, topical minoxidil, nizoral shampoo, and vitamin D optimization, and is now starting zinc supplementation. Suggestions include considering other causes, possibly increasing dutasteride dosage, switching to oral minoxidil, or maintaining the current regimen and reassessing in six months.
A double blind, placebo-controlled study that looked into the potential effectiveness of topical fluridil for treating male androgenetic alopecia, showing increased anagen to telogen ratios with no reported side effects on libido or sexual performance.
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.