Hello everyone,
I've been searching through hair loss forums since I started noticing my hair loss. From what I have read, it seemed like Propecia and Minoxidil were the best non-invasive solution available. I decided to go with it, especially since I read on the BBC that having a hair transplant before the age of 25 or before you have tried medications is not generally the best course of action.
At first, I was taking Minoxidil (5%) but after a while it didn't really help and my hair was falling, at a slower rate, but still fast enough.
So I started taking Propecia (1 mg) and Minoxidil (5%) since early April if I remember correctly. During the first week, I noticed a sudden disappearance of libido that was rather strange; I even tried watching porn and it didn't help. However, this only stayed for 3 days and afterwards everything was fine. Then came another possible side effect as I became extremely irritable to an extent I never had in my life. It was weird, but it only remained for a couple of days as well and then went off on its own. Finally, I noticed a huge comeback in my sex drive that was very strong, however, this went away gradually on its own and now I don't have any symptoms that could be labeled as Propecia-related.
What has been bothering me, however, is the massive shedding I have had since I started the medication. I have gone through a shedding so severe that I have gone from a barely noticeable hair loss to losing almost 60% or 70% of my hair. Now, I'm on my way to NW3A and I was an NW1 at the beginning of my "treatment." It is causing me great distress as I have never seen myself like that, I have never seen my scalp in the mirror before and now it's very easy to notice it. Yet I am still taking Propecia and Minoxidil as I have read that the shedding is only natural and should wean off after 3 or 4 months. What I am scared of is that the shedding will only stop after I have no more hair on my head. I see an average of 30 to 40 hairs per day in my hands and if it continues this way I'm afraid I'll be slick bald soon enough.
Just today I read about something called a reflex-hypoandrogenic reaction to Finasteride that may result in a faster permanent hair loss and it's better to stop taking Finasteride all along if that is the case. I can say I have an itchy scalp, but I live in a hot country and it doesn't itch that much. Nevertheless, it was noticeably itchy a month ago. I don't know what to do, should I stop all along or is this just a normal shedding and I'd better continue taking the medication. I really need your help guys.
tl;dr
Losing lots of hair (from 70% to 35%) on Finasteride and Minoxidil in 3 months, don't know whether to stop or not. Could be reflex-hyperandrogenicity. Need Help.