Don’t do like me. Don’t take a long break from Fin and Min
    Chat 11/3/2025

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    At a glance
    In this treatment experience post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral) 1 mg 3 times a week 5-6 years
    💊 Minoxidil (oral) 5 mg daily 5-6 years
    the tone is 😞 negative with solid results, stabilized hair.

    Other terms

    Stopping finasteride and minoxidil can cause significant hair shedding, so they should be continued indefinitely. Concerns about finasteride affecting fertility or causing birth defects are mostly unfounded, but some stop for personal reasons.
    View this post in the Community →

    Similar Community Posts Join

    5 / 5 results

      community I messed up. Regrew my hair and then lost it all.

       495 upvotes 1 year ago
      Stopping hair loss treatments like finasteride and minoxidil can result in losing regrown hair, highlighting the importance of consistent use. Restarting these treatments may cause temporary shedding, but hair can regrow with continued use.

      community IVF process on Finasteride and effects of stopping finasteride.

       138 upvotes 9 months ago
      Concerns about finasteride affecting sperm quality and embryo abnormalities during IVF. The user plans to stop finasteride for 6 months and use minoxidil, microneedling, a red light cap, and saw palmetto shampoo to manage hair loss.

      community Finasteride and fertility. Personal report.

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  829 upvotes 1 year ago
      Finasteride can affect sperm quality, but fertility usually returns after stopping it, as shown by a user who conceived four months after discontinuation. Some users successfully conceive while on finasteride, though some prefer to pause its use to minimize risks.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      Hair Disorders

      research Hair Disorders

      1 citations , December 2010 in “InnovAiT”
      This article reviews common causes of hair loss and hair excess and discusses their management in primary care settings, but it reports no new clinical results.
      Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

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      212 citations , September 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”
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      Androgen Excess: Investigations and Management

      research Androgen excess: Investigations and management

      82 citations , May 2016 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology”
      This article outlines the clinical features, evaluation, and treatment strategies for androgen excess in polycystic ovary syndrome, highlighting important diagnostic and management approaches but reporting no new research results.
      Comparative Efficacy of Minoxidil and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Monotherapy for Male Pattern Hair Loss: Network Meta-Analysis Study of Current Empirical Evidence

      research Comparative Efficacy of Minoxidil and 5‐Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Monotherapy for Male Pattern Hair Loss: Network Meta‐Analysis Study of Current Empirical Evidence

      June 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”
      This study found that among various treatments for male androgenetic alopecia, dutasteride 0.5 mg/day was the most effective option overall. Additionally, among FDA-approved treatments, topical minoxidil 5% was the most effective topical therapy, and finasteride 1 mg/day was the most effective oral therapy.
      The Clinical Management of Hirsutism

      research The clinical management of hirsutism

      30 citations , April 1997 in “European journal of endocrinology”
      The document concludes that managing hirsutism involves identifying the cause, using a scoring system for severity, combining cosmetic and medical treatments, encouraging weight loss, and providing psychological support, while noting the need for more research on drug treatments.