Potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride. Users debate risks, benefits, and personal experiences with these hair loss treatments.
Using dutasteride or finasteride can increase free testosterone, which may convert to estradiol, potentially causing side effects like increased estrogen levels. Individual responses vary, and some users report changes in cholesterol, hair texture, and side effects like gyno or increased sex drive.
A user's experience using dutasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, vitamin D, scalp massage, exercise, and avoiding vaping and 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner to treat hair loss; they also discussed the side effects of finasteride.
A user experiencing diffuse thinning at the hairline after 12 months on finasteride is considering adding minoxidil, dutasteride, or RU58841 to their treatment. Another user suggests adding minoxidil now, holding off on dutasteride, and shares personal side effects from RU58841.
User shared 1-year finasteride and 5-month oral minoxidil, nizoral, and microneedling progress. Reply suggests full results may appear after 1-2 years, and results look promising.
User shared 2-month progress using 6% minoxidil, seeing some regrowth. Others encouraged consistency and noted significant results typically appear around months 3-6.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.
A 25 year-old male who has been taking finasteride (1mg/day) for 4 months and then switching to dutasteride (0.5mg twice per week) for 20 months, with positive results; the difference between finasteride and dutasteride is discussed.
Regrowing hairline without the use of Minoxidil or Finasteride, and instead using mechanical stimulation such as Derma Roller, Nizoral, Zinc Pyrithione, Scalp Massage, Scalp Exercise, Fish Oil and other topical solutions. It is cautioned that there are risks associated with not using medically-prescribed treatments, but it is suggested to consider mechanical stimulation in addition to those prescribed treatments.
User spent 23 years on Finasteride with side effects like weight gain and reduced libido. Switched to topical Finasteride, side effects reduced and waiting for results.
The user had high DHT levels after 8 months on dutasteride, questioning the drug's authenticity. They got dutasteride from a legitimate source and will update on progress.
User shared 1-year progress using finasteride and minoxidil, thanking others for the recommendation. Many congratulated the user, while some asked about dosages and shared their own experiences with the treatments.
A 25-year-old who started losing hair at 16 and reached almost NW7 by 20 saw hair regrowth using a regimen including dutasteride, minoxidil, nizoral, and a dermaroller, along with supplements like biotin, zinc, and omega-3. After initial success, they experienced shedding, added more supplements and treatments, and sought advice on whether to continue; responses encouraged them to persist as shedding is often part of the hair regrowth cycle.
A user's successful hair regrowth after 7 months of using 5% minoxidil, 1mg finasteride, and adding micro needling 4 months ago. The user also took biotin, fish oil, and collagen supplements, and reduced finasteride intake to once every 3 days due to minor libido decay.
A user switched from finasteride to dutasteride to combat hair thinning but noticed overall thinner hair without shedding. Another user suggested that hair can't thin without shedding and recommended adding finasteride pills for peace of mind.
The user experienced significant hair regrowth and reduced shedding after using finasteride, dutasteride, and topical minoxidil for six months, with no major side effects. The user emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and plans to continue the treatment indefinitely.
A user who started using minoxidil and finasteride topically, micro needling weekly, Nizoral twice per week, and switched to sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. The user reported that after 1 month and 1 week of this routine they noticed their hair was thicker and healthier, with less shedding and no more dandruff or itching during workouts.
A user who shared progress pictures of their scalp using a microscope camera, demonstrating the difference between healthy and miniaturized hair. Various explanations for the cause of this were discussed, such as DHT build-up in scalp sebum causing an autoimmune response leading to inflammation and eventual hair loss, with some suggesting a do-it-yourself treatment involving adding ascorbic acid powder to shampoo.
The user is unsure if their hairshedding after switching to low-alcohol minoxidil and using rosemary oil is a sign of hair regrowth or actual hair loss. They have been using minoxidil and finasteride for years without experiencing similar symptoms until now.
A user experienced significant hairshedding and thinning 10 months post-hair transplant despite using minoxidil and topical finasteride. They are considering switching to oral finasteride or dutasteride and are also dealing with scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
Some people claim Dutasteride worsened their hair loss, causing concern among users. Reasons suggested include initial shedding phases, incorrect attribution to Dutasteride when other factors are involved, genetic variations affecting drug response, and the possibility of non-authentic medication.
A user shared their experience with hair loss treatment using finasteride (1mg) and minoxidil (1ml), noting significant shedding phases but hoping for improvement. Shedding is a common synchronized effect of the treatment, which may desynchronize over time, potentially taking over 5 years.
The user is using a combination of hair loss treatments including dutasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, low-level laser therapy, ketokonozole, supplements, Viviscal, Nutrafol, microneedling, PRP, and scalp Botox injections, but is still experiencing hairshedding and thinning. Despite being on this regimen for two years, the user's hair condition is worsening, and they are seeking advice on what else they can do.
Minoxidil can initially cause hairshedding but often leads to increased hair count over time, with some users experiencing noticeable improvements within weeks. Combining Minoxidil with Finasteride may enhance hair health, though individual results vary.
A user's experience with Dutasteride causing rapid hair loss and temple recession over 3 weeks, with other users offering advice about the potential causes of this.
The user started losing hair at 20 and began using minoxidil. After seeing further hair loss, they switched to finasteride, causing more hairshedding. They are now using minoxidil, finasteride (topical and oral), microneedling, and ketoconazole shampoo for recovery.
A user has been on finasteride for 4 months, experiencing persistent hairshedding despite improvements. Others suggest adding keto shampoo and note that shedding is normal.
User shared 2.5-year progress using finasteride for hair loss, showing significant improvement and reduced hairshedding. Persistence with finasteride led to thicker hair and fewer hair fall issues.
A 24-year-old switched from finasteride to dutasteride and increased oral minoxidil from 5 mg to 7.5 mg, noticing increased hairshedding. Users discuss the safety and effects of high-dose minoxidil, with some suggesting the shedding may be temporary due to dosage changes.