3 Month Update w/finasteride (No minoxidil)

[xp15]

Been on finasteride for 3 months without minoxidil. Appears to be no progress =/. Actually, I'm trying to debate whether the male pattern baldness is still advancing, rather than being stopped by finasteride.

I figure that if finasteride would bring about regrowth for me, I would at least see "baby hairs" emerging from the scalp under close examination after 3 months. However, I don't see any of those.

So basically, I'm just trying to figure out whether the finasteride is working at all, or if I'm still losing. Here are pics I took each month, I know the inconsistent hair styling kind of makes it harder, but they are the best I got.

These pics are: 1) Late June (start state) 2) Late July 3) Late August 4) Late September



It looks as though in the fourth pic (after 3 months), there is additional area of my scalp visible extending near my forehead, which makes me think it got worse.

Here's hairline. I usually take my right side because there is a freckle there that I use as a point of reference. Nothing significant happening there either, as far as I can tell. These are from: 1) Late July 2) Late August 3) Late September.



- - - Updated - - -

Also forget to mention sides:

It seemed during the first month and a half I would get periods of low libido. However, it may have just been me thinking about it too much as that seems to have subsided (although never ED).

Definitely noticed some gyno (but nothing severe), I made another thread about this. Considering stopping over it, but will keep examining closely for the next few months to see if there is any more growth.

Also, experienced episodes of brain fog. When I was taking 1.25mg (switched from generic 1mg to generic 5mg and split), I had the brain fog for about a week and then I cut it to .6-1mg (as best I could). Seems to come intermittently now but is not sustained enough to bother me.

Basically -- Some moderate sides and and no results =/.

 

[Raz]

3 months is nothing on finasteride only, don't get discouraged. Give it up to like 6-9 months to see if you've halted your losses at first. Then, if you were to evaluate the full effectiveness and potential regrowth, you'd need 1 year or so. Even then, in some people, finasteride starts doing its magic during the 2nd year of continued use.

Just ride it through for now, if the sides are nothing to be worried about. You're doing all you can in terms of halting male pattern baldness, don't worry. You can always add minoxidil to the mix later, though I would observe on finasteride-alone at first because you'll never know if you can get some regrowth on it alone, which would render minoxidil useless.

 

[Wolf Pack]

Did your breast area feel painful/tender? Agree with the guy above. With other growth stimulants like Minoxidil or supposedly the lasercomb, results are supposed to come quicker. finasteride is a long term thing. There are people improving at the 2 year mark man.

 

[Toms]

Wtf dude, can't you see that the small hairs have gotten thicker? And the hair overall looks better?
It is definitely working

 

[xp15]

I do feel a periodic stinging sensation in the breast area, and they have become visibly puffy. The stinging sensations comes and goes, lasts for two days and then I don't feel it again for two weeks ago. Sometimes there is more of a dull pain. Going to keep monitoring that.

Wtf dude, can't you see that the small hairs have gotten thicker? And the hair overall looks better?
It is definitely working

Hmm, I can't really tell if it's an actual improvement or if it's just the camera lighting. Also, for the top pictures, my hair was combed more neatly in the last pic than in the first one... so it could be just that.

 

[zerafian]

why arent you taking minoxidil/rogaine? For me that is part of the puzzle for regrowth/strengthening...I dont see why it couldnt be vital for you as well. I mean putting it simply finasteride blocks to DHT and minoxidil strengthens the follicles, they work hand in hand.

 

[xp15]

I'll add minoxidil at a later time if there is no regrowth. From my point of view, if you start with both minoxidil and finasteride at the same time and then get regrowth, you have no idea if the regrowth is only minoxidil-related or if you got some of the regrowth from finasteride.

Some people get regrowth with finasteride only, so I'll just wait until the 12 month mark the determine if I'm one of those people I suppose, then add minoxidil if not. minoxidil also has its own list of side effects as well, so if it's not necessary then I won't use it.

 

[Wolf Pack]

I'll add minoxidil at a later time if there is no regrowth. From my point of view, if you start with both minoxidil and finasteride at the same time and then get regrowth, you have no idea if the regrowth is only minoxidil-related or if you got some of the regrowth from finasteride.

Some people get regrowth with finasteride only, so I'll just wait until the 12 month mark the determine if I'm one of those people I suppose, then add minoxidil if not. minoxidil also has its own list of side effects as well, so if it's not necessary then I won't use it.

Wise guy. Exactly how I think. Patience and perseverance is key.

 

[zerafian]

I'll add minoxidil at a later time if there is no regrowth. From my point of view, if you start with both minoxidil and finasteride at the same time and then get regrowth, you have no idea if the regrowth is only minoxidil-related or if you got some of the regrowth from finasteride.

Some people get regrowth with finasteride only, so I'll just wait until the 12 month mark the determine if I'm one of those people I suppose, then add minoxidil if not. minoxidil also has its own list of side effects as well, so if it's not necessary then I won't use it.

good idea...I guess I was looking from my point of view. I was on minoxidil for 2.5 years and stopped it for 6 months. Over the time that I stopped it I lost more hair in that time then I had in the last 3 years. Everyone is different though