30yo Long Time finasteride User, Now With Progression

[drbp]

First I wanted to thank everyone on this forum, I have lurked for a while and appreciate everyone's input.

I am 30 years old and my entire family has a strong history of hair loss (dad, mom's dad, brother, etc). I started taking 1mg Propecia when I first noticed frontal regression at the age of 18. Overall I have been pleased with how slow things have progressed on this, however it never actually stopped my regression completely. Over the years, I have switched to 1.25mg finasteride daily (still taking), started using minoxidil about 1-2 years ago (usually just daily), and nizoral shampoo 2-4 times a week. I also get occasional seborrheic dermatitis, but it mostly affects the sides of my head where my hair is fine.

What is concerning is over the last year I have noticed a more rapid regression towards my temples combined with more diffuse thinning. I couldn't really find much information on this kind of late change--most posts here seem to be about relatively short term issues. I haven't changed my regimen as of yet, but I'm not so sure its doing much at this point. Has anyone else dealt with a late change in response >10 years after starting finasteride? Did anything seem to help?

Thanks!

 

[Retinoid]

When you say diffuse thinning, are there bald areas? How long have you been on generic Finasteride--sometimes people say they do better on Propecia esp if they managed well on brand name and then switched to generic. You can also try the Minoxidil foam as the irritation could be aggravating your scalp, though this can cause a shed.

 

[drbp]

When you say diffuse thinning, are there bald areas? How long have you been on generic Finasteride--sometimes people say they do better on Propecia esp if they managed well on brand name and then switched to generic. You can also try the Minoxidil foam as the irritation could be aggravating your scalp, though this can cause a shed.

Thanks for the reply! No bald areas but I can tell the overall density is declining. I have thick hair so its not that obvious right now. I've been on generic for roughly the last 8 years. I was wondering if I should switch back to the brand name for at least a while to try. I do use the Minoxidil foam, overall I tolerate it pretty well.

 

[Retinoid]

Thanks for the reply! No bald areas but I can tell the overall density is declining. I have thick hair so its not that obvious right now. I've been on generic for roughly the last 8 years. I was wondering if I should switch back to the brand name for at least a while to try. I do use the Minoxidil foam, overall I tolerate it pretty well.

If you can afford the brand name I would do that. You can move onto Duasteride with a low dose AI if you get side effects and oral Minxodil (low dose 1-2mg/day) if this does not work.

 

[abcdefg]

IMO it all goes back to our friend hamilton. Older men injected with androgens go bald much quicker than younger men given same level of androgens. As you get older hair becomes more sensitive to androgens for unknown reasons or some kind of cellular aging.
Why propecia loses effect is sensitivity increases with time, and propecia doesnt. Since we havent had a new drug in 30 years its tough to give alternatives.
I guess either increase propecia or try dutasteride. I just think after propecia things get riskier. RU or dutasteride there isnt much else. I would say dutasteride is better studied.

 

[itsjustsimon]

Add dutasteride or ru.

Been or finasteride for 8 years and hairloss is progressing in exactly the same way you’re describing: overall recession all over ny scalp and temples and hairline slowly going.

 

[Endmymisery]

Would you mind sharing some pictures of your hair, how it was at 18*, 25, and now?

 

[drbp]

Would you mind sharing some pictures of your hair, how it was at 18*, 25, and now?

First picture is from 10 years ago and the other two are from this year. While you can tell there is some general thinning, to be honest right now I am most concerned about the regression at the temples. I have probably lost at least 1-1.5cm of my hairline.

As of today, I am thinking about switching to brand name Propecia for a few months to see.

 

[BalderBaldyBald]

First picture is 10 years ago and the other two are from this this year. At this point I am thinking about switching to brand name Propecia for a few months to see.

View attachment 91776 View attachment 91777 View attachment 91778

A success story for sure, switching to brand name won't probably change anything, same molecule different excipients

How about minoxidil ? Keto shampoo ?

 

[drbp]

A success story for sure, switching to brand name won't probably change anything, same molecule different excipients

How about minoxidil ? Keto shampoo ?

Thanks. I use both now (Mino daily for the last 1-2 years and keto 2-3x week). I agree, I'm skeptical that switching to brand name will do much but I'm not sure what else to do at this point.

 

[BalderBaldyBald]

Thanks. I use both now (Mino daily for the last 1-2 years and keto 2-3x week). I agree, I'm skeptical that switching to brand name will do much but I'm not sure what else to do at this point.

Switching to 0.5mg dutasteride can maybe do the deal, but i suggest you do some research on it first, this is not quite the same deal, stronger antiandrogen

 

[1knox1]

It is a success indeed.

Brands don’t matter; same drug. I can see you’re looking for answers so it’s a logical sort of thing to try and steer towards.

As others have said, dutasteride would be the next logical step. Low dose oral minoxidil has proven much more effective than topical in some people but you want to be speaking to a doctor before going near that.

 

[recedingornot87]

Any sides within the 10 years? Dik worked fine for all these years without ed or low libido?

 

[Endmymisery]

First picture is from 10 years ago and the other two are from this year. While you can tell there is some general thinning, to be honest right now I am most concerned about the regression at the temples. I have probably lost at least 1-1.5cm of my hairline.

As of today, I am thinking about switching to brand name Propecia for a few months to see.

View attachment 91784 View attachment 91785 View attachment 91786

Amazing, if I can maintain like that for the next 10 years I would be so happy but it doesn't seem to look like it's working for me.. And I'm using brand name Propecia

 

[Retinoid]

OP you can also just ADD .5mg of Avodart twice a week with the finasteride. Instead of switching all together. This may give you the extra boost. The before and after looks like you declined as your hair in the before pic looks fine but it was also dark in that picture so surely skewed things.

To the people that say generics are the exact same are not accurate. Yes, they are the same active ingredient and yes they usually work HOWEVER they do not have the same fillers, are not manufactured the same and do not have the same QUALITY active ingredient which is why it is possible it could not work as well or produce more undesirable side effects.

 

[drbp]

OP you can also just ADD .5mg of Avodart twice a week with the finasteride. Instead of switching all together. This may give you the extra boost. The before and after looks like you declined as your hair in the before pic looks fine but it was also dark in that picture so surely skewed things.

To the people that say generics are the exact same are not accurate. Yes, they are the same active ingredient and yes they usually work HOWEVER they do not have the same fillers, are not manufactured the same and do not have the same QUALITY active ingredient which is why it is possible it could not work as well or produce more undesirable side effects.

Ya I figured that might be the rationale for why a brand name could be more effective. I think I'll try Propecia and possibly add Avodart in a few months depending on how I do. Thanks for the input.

As for as side effects, I've been pretty fortunate. My libido has *maybe* been a little lower overall but I started taking finasteride when I was 18 so its hard to tell. I also sometimes think I have a little brain fog but that could just be me, ha. For right now, the sides are worth it. But it's a decision everyone has to make for themselves.

 

[MJ_2019]

Any sides within the 10 years? Dik worked fine for all these years without ed or low libido?

OP, anything on this ?

 

[pegasus2]

OP you can also just ADD .5mg of Avodart twice a week with the finasteride. Instead of switching all together. This may give you the extra boost. The before and after looks like you declined as your hair in the before pic looks fine but it was also dark in that picture so surely skewed things.

To the people that say generics are the exact same are not accurate. Yes, they are the same active ingredient and yes they usually work HOWEVER they do not have the same fillers, are not manufactured the same and do not have the same QUALITY active ingredient which is why it is possible it could not work as well or produce more undesirable side effects.

The amount of misinformation on this forum is staggering. Between Pigeon telling people that their penises will fall off if they use finasteride, and you shilling for the drug companies by telling people to buy their overpriced name-brand pills, how are people supposed to know the truth.

"Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts."

"Another common misbelief is that generic drugs take longer to work. The FDA requires that generic drugs work as fast and as effectively as the original brand-name products."
https://www.medicinenet.com/generic_drugs_are_they_as_good_as_brand-names/views.htm

 

[Hairicane]

First picture is from 10 years ago and the other two are from this year. While you can tell there is some general thinning, to be honest right now I am most concerned about the regression at the temples. I have probably lost at least 1-1.5cm of my hairline.

As of today, I am thinking about switching to brand name Propecia for a few months to see.

View attachment 91784 View attachment 91785 View attachment 91786

Come on, youre fine! Id give my left nut for your hair!

 

[Who Farted]

10 years is more than most get out of finasteride, which makes pretty lucky in that regard. Unfortunately, as with any substance, it loses its effects eventually and 10 years is on the high end of the viability scale. You could probably buy a couple more years with Duta if that’s something you’re comfortable with.