Are there any alternatives to finasteride?
    9/16/2026

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    Saw Palmetto →

    a natural and far less effective alternative to Finasteride

    At a glance
    In this question or advice post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral) 4-5 years
    💧 Minoxidil (topical)
    💊 Saw Palmetto (oral) 400mg daily
    💧 Alfatradiol (topical) highest percentage
    💧 Clascoterone (topical) highest percentage
    💧 KX-826 (topical) 0.9%
    💧 Microneedling (topical) 1mm every 1-2 weeks
    💧 Keto Shampoo (topical) every other day
    the tone is 😐 neutral.

    Other terms

    The user stopped finasteride while trying to conceive and is seeking alternatives to reduce hair loss. Suggestions include continuing minoxidil, using saw palmetto, alfatradiol, clascoterone, KX-826, microneedling, and keto shampoo, but safety during conception is uncertain.
    View this post in the Community →

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    5 / 5 results

      community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

      in Chat  35 upvotes 1 year ago
      Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

      community Can’t take fin - options/alts?

       5 upvotes 4 years ago
      User seeks non-finasteride hair loss treatments, suggests Eucapil, minoxidil, microneedling, keto shampoo, oral castor oil, and alfatradiol. Reply recommends vitamin D, zinc, pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, and high black tea intake, but emphasizes minoxidil and microneedling as most effective.

      community Can I get an honest rating of my «Natural Stack?

      9 months ago
      The conversation discusses hair loss treatments, focusing on a "natural stack" including minoxidil, microneedling, a laser helmet, saw palmetto, ketoconazole shampoo, and supplements. Many users suggest adding finasteride or dutasteride for better results, as natural methods alone may not effectively block DHT.

      community MY Hair Loss Treatment Summary

       9 upvotes 2 years ago
      The conversation is about various hair loss treatments, including finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and natural supplements like saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil. It also covers methods to improve blood circulation, nourish hair follicles, and address underlying health issues like vitamin D deficiency and high cortisol levels.

      community Natural DHT Blockers instead of fin

       4 upvotes 6 years ago
      The conversation discusses using natural DHT blockers like saw palmetto, beta sitosterol, pumpkin seed oil, pygeum africanum bark, and nettle root as alternatives to finasteride for hair loss, with mixed opinions on their effectiveness. Some users report minimal improvement with natural options and better results with finasteride or dutasteride, despite concerns about potential side effects.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      Interventions for Female Pattern Hair Loss

      research Interventions for female pattern hair loss

      21 citations , May 2016 in “The Cochrane library”
      This review found that while topical minoxidil is effective for treating female pattern hair loss, finasteride showed no more effectiveness than placebo, and low-level laser therapy increased hair count but with inconsistent results.
      Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

      research Androgenetic alopecia: An update

      88 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”
      This article reviews recent advancements in understanding and treating androgenetic alopecia, focusing on new genetic insights, stem cell roles, and diagnostic tools, without reporting new clinical results.
      Androgenetic Alopecia: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update

      research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update

      151 citations , May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”
      This review concluded that oral finasteride for men and topical minoxidil for both genders have the most evidence supporting their effectiveness and safety for treating androgenetic alopecia.