9 Year MPB Treatment History (30M) Update
    Update 8/3/2026

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    Microneedling →

    technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

    At a glance
    In this treatment experience post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral) daily 3 years
    💧 Minoxidil (topical) twice a day for about two-thirds of the time 3 years
    💧 Microneedling (topical) roughly once a week, on and off 3 years
    💊 Dutasteride (oral) daily 5 years
    the tone is 😐 neutral with effective results.

    Other terms

    A 30-year-old man shared his 9-year experience with hair loss treatments, including finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride, noting that while the medications were effective, they caused side effects like lower libido, gynecomastia, and mental health issues. He decided to stop all medications due to concerns about mood, fertility, and overall happiness.
    View this post in the Community →

    Similar Community Posts Join

    5 / 5 results

      community Are you taking oral finasteride/dutasteride + oral minoxidil (vs. one or the other)?

       5 upvotes 3 years ago
      The conversation discusses the potential offering of oral finasteride/dutasteride and oral minoxidil treatments for hair loss, with feedback on pricing and preferences for separate or combined pills. Users express concerns about high costs, preferring affordable options, and some prefer oral over sublingual minoxidil for ease of use.

      community Getting sides from Finasteride - what to do?

       9 upvotes 1 week ago
      A young man experiencing side effects from finasteride, such as brain fog, reduced libido, and gynecomastia, is seeking advice on whether to continue the treatment or quit. Suggestions include reducing the dosage, trying topical treatments, switching to dutasteride, or addressing hormonal imbalances with medication.

      community Finasteride & Dutasteride success!

       817 upvotes 1 year ago
      The user experienced hair loss and initially used Finasteride, but switched to Dutasteride after continued shedding. Dutasteride stabilized their hair density with mild side effects, and they did not use Minoxidil.

      community Dutasteride vs Finasteride and Steroid

      in Progress Pictures  87 upvotes 11 months ago
      Dutasteride is preferred over finasteride for hair loss due to fewer side effects. Combining dutasteride with minoxidil and RU58841 is effective for hair regrowth, even during steroid use.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia

      research 5α-Reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia

      29 citations , September 2014 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity”
      This review discusses the efficacy and safety of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for treating androgenetic alopecia, noting concerns about sexual side effects, which are typically uncommon and often resolve over time.

      research Male androgenetic alopecia

      January 2025 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”
      This review examines male androgenetic alopecia and reports no new clinical results, offering insights to aid dermatologists in making informed therapeutic decisions.
      Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

      research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

      29 citations , May 2010 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”
      This review discusses the limited objective evidence for using finasteride in women with alopecia, suggesting that it could be considered for those who don't benefit from minoxidil, but reports no new clinical results.
      Dutasteride Micro-Injections in Androgenetic Alopecia

      research Dutasteride Micro-Injections in Androgenetic Alopecia

      July 2019 in “Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica”
      This study found that dutasteride mesotherapy increased the diameter of existing hair in five Mexican men with androgenetic alopecia, without reported side effects.
      Androgenetic Alopecia: Causes, Treatments, and Genetic Factors

      research Androgenetic Alopecia

      1 citations , July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks”
      This review covers androgenetic alopecia's epidemiology, pathogenesis, current management options, and research trends, concluding that no definitive cure exists despite extensive interest and ongoing genetic research efforts.