Start Finasteride/avodart Or wait and get a transplant? Advice Needed

[newtoloss]

Hi All, I am looking for advice. I am turning 30 in a few months and over the last year have noticed my hair is feeling thinner.

 

Over the last few month, it definitely seems that i am getting much faster recession on my temples and it looks like i have lost a few mm on my hairline as there are now hairs the same length growing in front of it. I am also losing smaller hairs of around 2/3cm. Probably losing between 100/150 hairs a day (that I notice) and have some slight itching and dandruff that I have never had before. Nothing on the crown although definitely feels thinner and looks it when looking through my hairline.

 

As ridiculous as it sounds hair loss has been a fear of mine for a long time as my father started balding at 18 and the process only took 5 years. This has been driving me crazy over the last month and I have become a little obsessive.

 

No one has noticed or mentioned it yet even my girlfriend, but i am afraid it is just a matter of time. Asked my hairdresser who wasn’t sure but said there could possibly be more temple recession than previously.

 

After scouring various articles and forums for weeks would starting to take finasteride1mg or Avodart .5 now be a good idea? I am fully aware if i start it would be a life long commitment. The other option in to wait and get a FUT at some point especially as the shred i will experience will terrify me? Any advice would be great

[dan26]

You still got great hair so I would go the fin/avo route, best to start with fin and see how that serves you. HT is always a last resort!

[mikeyhwk]

I agree with Dan, you got great hair, get on meds and preserve what you have. That is always the best course. Only when it gets away from you do you consider a transplant but you should be able to maintain that great hair for a long while yet before needing to consider work. Start on fin asap and see how you respond.

[newtoloss]

Thanks for the advice. As it is so hard to find info online I thought I would give everyone monthly updates on what’s happening. I started Finisteride a month ago.

 

I will give you some details about me as it may help people considering starting. I have researched a lot over the last 3 months and this is my input. It would also be good to hear from others on their journey.

 

I am 30, 6’4 and around 95KG. Hair loss runs in the family on my fathers side. I am also very hairy. (People talk about this in posts a lot and the effect this has with Finisteride) I work in an office and do intense exercise around twice and week (cycling) and also now and again I lift weights.

 

After i first posted I got on Nizoral 2 x per week and Alpecin Caffine Shampoo while I thought about the pros and cons of starting on Finisteride.

 

The Nizoral sorted the itchy scalp and dandruff within the first week and I am using the Alpecin shampoo all other days. I also condition sometimes as it makes the hair very dry (no softening agents)

 

I decided I would just start Finisteride as after much thinking I decided what have I got to lose. I will either recede more anyway or maybe be able to do something about it. I was worried about sides but I decided it was worth the risk.

 

I ordered the Finisteride from the independent pharmacy (uk). They send various brands (I didn’t realise I could choose) so I was sent some produced by Milpharm Limited/Aurobinda Pharma (Malta) Limited. I googled this and was concerned straight away as it was produced in India. I was going to discard it and request another but the Pharmacy is rated highly on trust pilot (10,000 reviews) and any complaints were relating to slow postage. I thought what the hell, they seem reputable. I will try it.

 

I take 1mg daily at around 9pm. Nothing much changed although after around 2 weeks I noticed I was losing a lot more hair than usual. Around 150 in the shower so around 200+ a day. The hairs lost are a mixture, most seem good and healthy with the root but there are some that are definitely thinner and some are only about a cm and fine. (Mainly notice these on my white desk at work) This didn’t concern me to much. After reading everything I understood this can be normal. I just have to stick with it. I have also always gone through stages of losing hair in the shower. Even when I hadn’t started MPB. I constantly used to clog the drain for a few months every now and again.

 

1 week ago I stopped the Nizoral to see if it reduces the increased hair fall as I read some people don’t react well. If the itchy scalp or dandruff comes back I will start again.

 

When it comes to sides I have been in a long term relationship and to be honest my libido had dropped anyway. By i would say it has probably increased since I started taking it. Semen maybe slightly more watery but no major change. No ball ache either and my mind isn’t foggy. If I had to point out something about an hour after taking the tablet I do get very tired. Not sure if it’s related as I take it in the evening.

 

So anyway one month in and no sides. Must be losing more hair but you can’t notice it. I lose a hair or two almost every time I run my hand through.

 

Anyway I hope I caught it early enough. I am glad to have taken the plunge and got through a month. I will update you as I go on.

 

Anyone out there who is struggling with this just remember your are not alone. It sucks. But the past few months have made me think a lot clearer especially after looking at options.

 

Sorry for the grammar! I didn’t have all day! If you have any questions or myths you have heard let me know and I will answer if I have experienced it.

[newtoloss]

Update Month 2 

 

A few changed but nothing much. Stopped the Nizoral after last post. About 2 weeks after scalp started itching and I nearly went back to it although held off and everything has calmed back down. 

 

No sides experienced.

 

Definitely have less hair fall then I did. Noticing less in the shower and during the day. 

 

I would say I think my hair is definitely a thinner than before I started and my hairline has taken a bit of a hit. As hair is longer you can’t really tell and no one else has mentioned it. Not worried at this point so going to stick at it. 

 

[Bill - Seemiller]

Newtoloss,

Thanks for updating this community with your two month progress pictures.

 At first, I replied thinking that these photos were 2 months after hair transplant surgery but I’m getting the sense that these are photos showing  progress pictures from finasteride use only? 

best wishes,

Bill

[Melvin- Admin]

I would try finasteride first, avodart although on paper seems like a better option for hair loss, it is not approved by the FDA. Furthermore, many guys are able to preserve what they have with finasteride alone. Have you included minoxidil? 

[newtoloss]

Hi, so I had a bit of a break in the updates as not to much was happening. Its now been over 5 months. 

Hair loss per day seems to change. Some days I can run my hand through my hair and seem to lose none. Other days there are a hairs on my hand. Still about the same when shampooing. 

Not been back on the Nizoral and scalp itch hasn’t returned. 

One thing I have noticed is my body hair has started to come out easily. This is everything from chest to arms and there is a reduction in hair overall on body. 

Got a slightly spotty forehead as you will see from pictures. Never had spots before. I started deep cleansing and they have now reduced. Not sure if they are connected

Cant see any difference with hairline although I look it every day so will post more pictures. Although still just under four fingers ha! Some pictures with hair wet this time also. 

Nothing else to report really. No sides and will stick at it.  If you have any questions on what I have experienced I will be happy to let you know

[Melvin- Admin]

Acne is hormonal most of the times, have you gone to an endocrinologist to get lab work?

Remember, you’re using a medication for off-label use and it’s important you regularly get checked up. 

Edit: disregard if you’re only using finasteride. 

Warm regards-Melvin 

[1978matt]

I shed more body hair these days than I seem to do head hair.  Supposedly this is a side effect of Fin and perhaps a sign it is working.

Sure, your hairline could be a bit better but definitely not worth going under the knife for.

I never had better skin condition since the day I gave up refined sugars.

Edited September 26, 2018 by 1978matt

[skinnyshaft]

You're definitely making the right decision to try the Finasteride. You're some way off yet considering an HT (imo), but importance of HTs anyway is trying to limit future hairloss.

I started receding when I was 18 and began taking finasteride when I was about 25. I was on it for about 13 years, before switching to Avodart (Dutasteride) this year. In all honesty, I never really could tell if Finasteride was working or not. It certainly didn't make new hair grow and it certainly didn't stop hairloss completely. All I know is that my hairloss was very, very gradual. I've had 3 HTs in 10 years and, with the help of concealers, I can still maintain the illusion of (almost) a full head of hair with a longish style. I still shed tons in the shower, but I don't think shedding is actually an indication of whether you're losing hair or not anyway.

So in theory, the meds may very well have slowed my hairloss considerably. I will just never know for certain. But the likelihood is that I'd be in a worse place now if I hadn't taken them.

So yeah, I personally think you're improving your chances by getting on the meds.

 

[newtoloss]

Thanks for the comments. 

Skin has now cleared up since taking those photos but I will definitely look into the refined sugar. Definitely have a bit of a seeet tooth. 

Recently reordered another 6 months and have gone with Actavis as it is a better known brand. 

Doesnt really get me down now but I try to avoid obsessing over it, but happy I have caught it quickly. 

I have been looking at old photos recently, hard to tell as have always had longer hair. But it doesn’t look like it has moved to much. But the space between the hair is definitely weaker. 

No one has said anything to me and I do get comments of having a good head of hair but I am dreading the day someone mentions it. Should be glad I have only had to start worrying at 30 when reading some of the stories here. 

Stay strong people! 

[Speegs]

Always try the non-surgical treatments first, never wait until after surgery to try out finasteride.

[newtoloss]

So just to give you all an update, I have now been one Finisteride for over 19 months and still experiencing no symptoms. 

 

Have been using a different brand the last month as the company was purchased. 

 

Don’t think there has been any further recession. Have been measuring using the four finger method! 

 

Around 16 month was feeling really good with everything and am happy with where I was. 

 

I said was as I think I am currently going through another big shed over the last 2 months. Have lost well over 300 hairs today. They will grow back but it’s not nice to see! Fingers crossed, I have always shed a lot of hair throughout my life. 

 

Pics attached. Hair longer than usual so looks a lot more shaggy! 

 

 

 

 

 

[Thisisnotatest333]

Your hair looks really good. What made you go on finestiride? Going this early could be really benefitial for sure. Are you sure you even have MPB?

[Rolandas]

On 2/27/2018 at 6:37 PM, newtoloss said:

Hi All, I am looking for advice. I am turning 30 in a few months and over the last year have noticed my hair is feeling thinner.

 

Over the last few month, it definitely seems that i am getting much faster recession on my temples and it looks like i have lost a few mm on my hairline as there are now hairs the same length growing in front of it. I am also losing smaller hairs of around 2/3cm. Probably losing between 100/150 hairs a day (that I notice) and have some slight itching and dandruff that I have never had before. Nothing on the crown although definitely feels thinner and looks it when looking through my hairline.

 

As ridiculous as it sounds hair loss has been a fear of mine for a long time as my father started balding at 18 and the process only took 5 years. This has been driving me crazy over the last month and I have become a little obsessive.

 

No one has noticed or mentioned it yet even my girlfriend, but i am afraid it is just a matter of time. Asked my hairdresser who wasn’t sure but said there could possibly be more temple recession than previously.

 

After scouring various articles and forums for weeks would starting to take finasteride1mg or Avodart .5 now be a good idea? I am fully aware if i start it would be a life long commitment. The other option in to wait and get a FUT at some point especially as the shred i will experience will terrify me? Any advice would be great

Hey man,

I wish I could have your hair, so I wouldn't bother thinking about it! Hahaha 😄

But on another note, don't go for a surgery without meds! Stay at least 6 months to see how well you can tolerate it. If no sides and you see some regrowth then you will have better chances of good long-term result!

I almost done this mistake and went for surgery before propecia, but luckily I changed my mind and stay over 6 months on Finasteride. Recovered A LOT of hairs on vertex, donor got stronger and prevented shock loss!

Don't rush to get cut!

[Melvin- Admin]

Your hair looks awesome. I wouldn’t consider a hair transplant at this time. If the finasteride is working, I wouldn’t get on dutasteride. Instead, try microneedling the hairline and applying minoxidil. There’s a few threads here, of guys who’ve done this and it works. Check out @CosmoKramer thread, he had high resolution pics and you can tell a difference.

[newtoloss]

On 2/6/2020 at 12:25 AM, Thisisnotatest333 said:

Your hair looks really good. What made you go on finestiride? Going this early could be really benefitial for sure. Are you sure you even have MPB?

Hi, as ridiculous as it sounds I have always been concerned about losing my hair. Dad is very bald and I suppose it was a feature of mine I always like. This made me a little obsessive with it. 
 

Because of this I noticed when things had changed although it still was a gut punch. 
 

Currently over 25 months on Finisteride. Still no sides. Will do a proper update in a few months