A 21-year-old experienced hormone changes after using self-made topical finasteride for hair loss, including a 20% decrease in DHT, a 47% increase in testosterone, and a 39% increase in estradiol. The user previously used minoxidil and microneedling but is now seeking ways to balance hormones, possibly through supplements or dosage adjustments.
A person considering finasteride for hair loss checked their hormone levels before starting treatment. They are concerned about the potential increase in estradiol and its effects, as well as the impact on their sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone levels.
A user preparing to start finasteride for hair loss wanted to check for any abnormal bloodwork related to hair loss. They shared their blood test results and learned from another user that their doctor prescribed finasteride without any preliminary tests.
A user experienced initial side effects from finasteride, including erectile dysfunction and emotional changes, but later noticed increased muscle mass and assertiveness. Hormonal tests showed elevated estrogen and prolactin levels, which slightly decreased over time; the user plans lifestyle changes to see if they help.
The user has been on finasteride for 18 months and added dutasteride after the first 6 months, with no hair regrowth observed. Bloodwork shows normal levels of DHT despite the use of both medications.
A new hair loss treatment involving Keratin Microsphere Gel is discussed, with skepticism and jokes about its effectiveness and comparisons to other treatments. Users are doubtful and make light of the situation, referencing past disappointments and the study's focus on mice.
A woman has been struggling with hair loss for over 12 years and is frustrated with doctors refusing to prescribe finasteride due to potential birth defects and unproven breast cancer risk. She's considering self-treatment or permanent birth control, after being offered only minoxidil, PRP therapy, and weaker natural supplements like Saw Palmetto.
The conversation suggests that people should consult a dermatologist to understand their type of hair loss before starting treatments like finasteride or dutasteride, especially if they have autoimmune issues or low DHT. Some participants believe in starting treatment like finasteride immediately if hair loss is due to DHT, while others recommend ruling out other causes and considering minoxidil first, especially for younger individuals.
The user is trying to maximize minoxidil's effectiveness by applying it for only one hour to avoid spreading it to furniture and pets, especially cats. They experience side effects when combining minoxidil with dermarolling and are considering alternatives like oral minoxidil or microneedling.
A 22-year-old male using 0.5mg Dutasteride and 2.5mg oral Minoxidil daily for 5.5 months reports increased shedding and scalp itching. He also experienced acne and is concerned about whether the shedding is normal and if daily hair washing for seborrheic dermatitis is causing dryness.
The user switched from oral finasteride to dutasteride with minoxidil, but saw no results. They then tried topical finasteride and noticed some potential improvement after four months, theorizing that the topical application bypasses liver metabolism.
A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.
The user experienced significant hair thickening after switching from three years of topical Minoxidil and keto shampoo to three months of topical finasteride and derma stamping. They also noted that they're using less than the recommended amount of finasteride, but still seeing great results.
The user recovered from Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) using a specific hormone protocol after trying finasteride and dutasteride. They now help others with PFS by reviewing blood work and offering personalized advice.
A user took finasteride for hair loss 10 years ago, stopped after a month, and has since suffered from severe erectile dysfunction (ED) and other symptoms. They shared blood test results seeking advice for their condition, and others discussed similar experiences with finasteride and related drugs.
Finasteride may cause elevated liver enzymes, potentially leading to liver issues, though this is rare. Users should monitor liver function and consider topical alternatives if liver sensitivity occurs.
The user stopped using finasteride and RU58841 and is considering CB-03-01 for androgenic alopecia but is concerned about the cost and effectiveness, especially at a lower dose than in clinical trials. They are also using minoxidil, micro-needling, and nizoral shampoo but are unsure about the correct application method for CB-03-01.
The user reported early stage diffuse hair thinning and increased DHT levels after 4 weeks on Finasteride and 8 weeks on Finasteride plus 4 weeks on Dutasteride, despite the medications being authentic and stored properly. They are considering increasing their Dutasteride dosage due to the lack of side effects and are unsure if the treatment is helping their hair.
The conversation discusses whether individuals using hair loss treatments like Dutasteride (Dut) or Finasteride (Fin) should regularly check their hormone levels through bloodwork. Some argue it's important to monitor the effects of these medications on hormone levels, while others believe it's unnecessary if there are no side effects, citing cost and practicality concerns.
The conversation is about whether low vitamin levels can cause hair loss. The consensus is that the user's vitamin levels are normal and unlikely to affect hair loss or the effectiveness of finasteride and minoxidil treatments.
A user shared his experience of having two healthy children while continuously using finasteride (Fin) for hair loss, challenging fears about its potential impact on fetal development. The discussion that followed included various perspectives, with some users sharing similar experiences, others expressing concerns about potential risks, and some emphasizing the need for more substantial evidence before drawing conclusions.
The conversation suggests that changing diet and lifestyle has little to no effect on male pattern baldness (MPB), which is largely determined by genetics. Some individuals noted personal improvements in hair condition with healthier diets, but the consensus is that diet alone cannot prevent or reverse MPB.
Hope Medicine's announcement of the HMI-115 Phase II clinical trial for androgenetic alopecia in China; other related trials have been conducted or are ongoing in different countries, including Australia, US, and Europe. There is speculation that the product may be accepted across borders without additional testing.
This user "ateaninja" has been using finasteride and minoxidil for 14 months along with weekly micro-needling for the last 5 months to treat hair loss. They also have a trusted barber to make their existing hair look fuller.
A user shared early positive results after 51 days using finasteride, minoxidil, a DHT blocking shampoo, biotin gummies, and dermarolling to treat hair loss. They noticed new vellus hairs and improved hair density, and provided photos as evidence.
The user reports 8 months of hair growth progress using 1mg Finasteride daily, 5k biotin daily, Nizoral 1% biweekly, a multivitamin daily, and Vitamin D 2000IU daily, with pictures provided for reference. Commenters discuss the improved thickness and length of the hair, with some suggesting a buzz cut for better comparison, which the user declines.
A 36-year-old user shared their 12-month hair recovery journey using oral Propecia, topical minoxidil, a derma roller, ketoconazole shampoo, biotin, and omega-3. They reported seeing results by the second month, with some setbacks but overall progress.
A user's 4-year journey of using Finasteride to improve their hairline, which they started noticing results from within the first month, and experienced significant shedding during the first year. They also tried Minoxidil but had heart palpitations so stopped taking it.