18 Months on Finasteride and Minoxidil… Not Sure If This is Maintenence 8/15/2026
The user has been using finasteride and minoxidil for 18 months to address hair loss, with some concerns about thinning behind the hairline. They report side effects like lower libido and weaker erections but are unsure if these are due to the medication or other factors.
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5 / 5 resultscommunity Reduced libido + almost no morning erections after 1.5 years of topical finasteride + minoxidil — should I stop finasteride?
A user experienced reduced libido and fewer morning erections after 1.5 years of using topical finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss. They are considering stopping finasteride due to these side effects and are seeking advice on whether their libido will return to normal and if minoxidil alone will maintain their hair density.
community Finasteride - 5 years and my expierience
A 26-year-old shared their 5-year experience using finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss, noting initial improvements but later experiencing reduced libido and erection quality, leading them to switch from oral to topical finasteride. They advise starting with a low-dose topical solution and emphasize making informed decisions, acknowledging that while finasteride is effective, it can have side effects.
community I can’t believe the cure for hair loss costs like $35 A YEAR
Finasteride is effective and affordable for preventing hair loss but may cause side effects like low libido. Some users combine it with minoxidil for better results, while others consider alternatives like dutasteride due to side effects.
community Why is Minoxidil not enough for hair loss? (No fin)
Minoxidil alone is often insufficient for treating hair loss because it doesn't address the DHT-related cause. Combining it with finasteride, a DHT blocker, is generally more effective.
community My erections came back right away after stopping finasteride.
Stopping finasteride often restores sexual function, with many experiencing improved libido and erections. Some users switch to minoxidil or topical finasteride to manage side effects while maintaining hair health.
Related Research
6 / 6 results
research Hair Loss in Women
This review discusses the classifications, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies for female pattern hair loss, but reports no clinical results.
research Finasteride
Finasteride helps hair growth and prostate issues but may cause sexual side effects and increase tumor risk.
research Finasteride, 1 mg daily administration on male androgenetic alopecia in different age groups: 10-year follow-up
This study found that finasteride 1 mg was effective in improving androgenetic alopecia over 10 years in men, particularly those older than 30, with some reporting beneficial results even after 5 years.
research Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of topical 0.1% finasteride − 5% Minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia
The combination of finasteride and minoxidil is as safe and effective as minoxidil alone for improving hair growth in men.
research Abstracts from the current global literature: Finasteride and sexual dysfunction
Finasteride, a hair loss drug, can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction in 2.1%-3.8% of users, but these usually go away with time or if the drug is stopped. Despite this, its impact on sexual function is minimal for most men.
research Regional Dermatology
This chapter reviews patchy hair loss due to skin disease, nail disorders related to chronic trauma, and treatments for small carcinomas, but it reports no new clinical findings.