Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

A 25-year-old male experienced significant hair loss due to telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia. He began using finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamins, seeing some regrowth but remains worried about hair density.

Topical finasteride (P-3074) can inhibit scalp DHT by up to 70%, with some users experiencing systemic absorption similar to oral use. Users discuss varying application frequencies and concentrations, with some noticing side effects when overused.

A 24-year-old male experienced side effects like low libido and ED after starting finasteride post-hair transplant and is seeking alternatives to reduce scalp DHT. Suggestions include topical finasteride, Xpecia, DHT-reducing shampoos, and switching to dutasteride, with some users reporting fewer side effects with these alternatives.

A 33-year-old male restarted finasteride after stopping it to conceive, noticing hair loss, especially in the crown area. His current routine includes finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, and microneedling, and he plans to continue this treatment for 18 months before making any major changes.

A 23-year-old male has been using finasteride and topical minoxidil for 14 months with slight improvement, but recent shedding led him to switch to a new minoxidil formulation without success. He is considering using topical RU58841 or dutasteride to better address scalp DHT, as his bloodwork shows high total testosterone and mid-range DHT levels.

A 27-year-old male physician improved hair density using minoxidil 5% foam and finasteride 1mg every other day, with initial sexual side effects that subsided. He recommends trying finasteride for a year but warns against dutasteride due to potential liver effects.