Exploring The Hormonal Route. Hair=life.

[Ikarus]

Hi Ikarus. I know it can have harsh effects due to it being diuretic, but there are persons like jgray, Americanhairlines, Alltge above, Audoyle etc who have taken it for years and most of them had only one side - less libido. But, of course, since everyone is different, I should be ready for sides.

My last resort will likely be Bicalutamide. I can't get a hair transplant since I'm losing all over the scalp.

BTW, could you please change you DP..?

What does DP mean?

 

[Ikarus]

I’m 5’7 and 130lbs. 200mg of spironolactone was too much for me. It was weaker for me at 300mg than it was at 200mg - so it’s not even a very predictable drug either IMO. I wouldn’t take more than 100-150mg were I you. It’s simply untrue that 100mg will improve your skin, but not hair - that’s anecdotal. Again - results and impact depend on androgen sensitivity and androgen bioavailability. spironolactone was not my favourite, but honestly flutamide and bicalutamide aren’t either because unlike Ikarus you’re not lowering your androgens while you’re on Bica with oestrogen, and that disconnect may prove problematic one day. I would honestly advise you to consider finasteride, dutasteride, spironolactone, Cypro, Flutamide/bic, add estrogen - in this order if you want my opinion. Also, you need to manage your expectations. You will certainly have regrowth since you started losing hair recently, BUT that regrowth will not show up over night.

I agree... I don’t even anyone should take bicalutamide unless they are certain that they will never stop the medication, or they will take it with estradiol. I am planning to stop anti-androgens eventually and get an orchiectomy, which is why using estradiol (to lower my testosterone) is important.

 

[I'mme]

I’m 5’7 and 130lbs. 200mg of spironolactone was too much for me. It was weaker for me at 300mg than it was at 200mg - so it’s not even a very predictable drug either IMO. I wouldn’t take more than 100-150mg were I you. It’s simply untrue that 100mg will improve your skin, but not hair - that’s anecdotal. Again - results and impact depend on androgen sensitivity and androgen bioavailability. spironolactone was not my favourite, but honestly flutamide and bicalutamide aren’t either because unlike Ikarus you’re not lowering your androgens while you’re on Bica with oestrogen, and that disconnect may prove problematic one day. I would honestly advise you to consider finasteride, dutasteride, spironolactone, Cypro, Flutamide/bic, add estrogen - in this order if you want my opinion. Also, you need to manage your expectations. You will certainly have regrowth since you started losing hair recently, BUT that regrowth will not show up over night.

I don't even know what I'm doing my man. I don't know what I should be doing. All I know is - I want my hair back. I don't want this life where I'm treated differently - almost like a subhuman. You may not get it, but since I started losing my hair - at 14, I subjugated myself. I was having serious depression until I became a serious introvert and focused only on studies. I f*****g abhor these drugs with all my might. I wanted to gain muscles, but now I can't. Rip that expensive gym membership.

I agree with what you say, completely. Can I drop it and instead use RU with finasteride? It's been about 8-9 days of taking it.

 

[Ikarus]

Because of hyper androgen sensitivity?

It's because bicalutamide raises your testosterone quite drastically, and your testosterone will still be high after stopping the medication. It will progress your hair loss greatly, especially if you have a greater sensitivity to the effects of androgens... It's recommendable to combine bicalutamide with estradiol; it will reduce your levels of testosterone, whilst both of the medications seemingly work synergistically.

 

[Ikarus]

I don't even know what I'm doing my man. I don't know what I should be doing. All I know is - I want my hair back. I don't want this life where I'm treated differently - almost like a subhuman. You may not get it, but since I started losing my hair - at 14, I subjugated myself. I was having serious depression until I became a serious introvert and focused only on studies. I f*****g abhor these drugs with all my might. I wanted to gain muscles, but now I can't. Rip that expensive gym membership.

I agree with what you say, completely. Can I drop it and instead use RU with finasteride? It's been about 8-9 days of taking it.

If you combine bicalutamide with estradiol (at a sufficient amount to lower your testosterone within the lower-range for men), it would be fine to use theoretically. You can use bicalutamide alone if you are certain that you will stay on it permanently. Nonetheless, you shouldn't bother with RU; I have read that it's useless.

 

[KSA]

I don't even know what I'm doing my man. I don't know what I should be doing. All I know is - I want my hair back. I don't want this life where I'm treated differently - almost like a subhuman. You may not get it, but since I started losing my hair - at 14, I subjugated myself. I was having serious depression until I became a serious introvert and focused only on studies. I f*****g abhor these drugs with all my might. I wanted to gain muscles, but now I can't. Rip that expensive gym membership.

I agree with what you say, completely. Can I drop it and instead use RU with finasteride? It's been about 8-9 days of taking it.

Your concerns are valid. We’re all on here for the same reason. Now with that being said, consistency is key. If you want to work with spironolactone, be advised to remain on spironolactone to see results. You will mess with your body and your receptors by dabbling with treatments.

The mantra to internalise is maximum possible effect at the smallest possible dose for your body -YMMV. All these drugs have been around for a bit, but most of them are not prescribed for Androgenetic Alopecia because they will be unsustainable treatments for many cis men. If you are looking to transition, these drugs can be a godsend, but if you’re not comfortable with the spectrum of feminising therapy, they are decidedly less so.

I like to use a metaphor for baking to illustrate how to think of any drugs: throwing cake batter in the oven that’s meant to bake at 350°F for 45 minutes at say 700° - will not bake in 22.5 minutes. It will burn. Finasteride is SLOW; spironolactone somewhat faster but still SLOW - in fact it takes some time for the anti-androgenic effect just to kick in, Flutamide fast. Don’t compare your results to anyone’s but your own and expect to WAIT.

 

[I'mme]

Your concerns are valid. We’re all on here for the same reason. Now with that being said, consistency is key. If you want to work with spironolactone, be advised to remain on spironolactone to see results. You will mess with your body and your receptors by dabbling with treatments.

The mantra to internalise is maximum possible effect at the smallest possible dose for your body -YMMV. All these drugs have been around for a bit, but most of them are not prescribed for Androgenetic Alopecia because they will be unsustainable treatments for many cis men. If you are looking to transition, these drugs can be a godsend, but if you’re not comfortable with the spectrum of feminising therapy, they are decidedly less so.

I like to use a metaphor for baking to illustrate how to think of any drugs: throwing cake batter in the oven that’s meant to bake at 350°F for 45 minutes at say 700° - will not bake in 22.5 minutes. It will burn. Finasteride is SLOW; spironolactone somewhat faster but still SLOW - in fact it takes some time for the anti-androgenic effect just to kick in, Flutamide fast. Don’t compare your results to anyone’s but your own and expect to WAIT.

Yes, I'm at 150mg and will continue with the same dose. I plan to maintain these results with Ru58841; some guys have done it before, so I will drop it once I get satisfactory regrowth.

 

[I'mme]

What does DP mean?

Profile picture.

 

[Ikarus]

Profile picture.

Why do you want me to change it...?

 

[Ikarus]

Ariana Grande is trash, i like it. Lol.

 

[Bagels]

Whatever happened to IdealForeHead? Last I recall he was using topical daro with good results. Did he dissapear because he's no longer worried about hairloss?

 

[hahahamyhairisdead]

Whatever happened to IdealForeHead? Last I recall he was using topical daro with good results. Did he dissapear because he's no longer worried about hairloss?

He had a transplant (if im not mistaken) and dropped daro, because side effects. He didn’t like antiandrogens, but knew that they works well. I think he was tired of fighting baldness.

 

[I'mme]

Why do you want me to change it...?

It is some naked girl in an extremely muddy pound, if I see it correctly. What does it convey? I don't like seeing it because I've been to your profile and checked this photo and now whenever I see snippet of it, I'm reminded of the whole mud.

 

[Bagels]

Has anyone managed to get significant thickening/regrowth without a MTF protocol? I've seen some people mention small vellus hairs, but not something too significant.

Like topical anti-androgen with low-dose estradiol to minimize bad sides

 

[Ikarus]

It is some naked girl in an extremely muddy pound, if I see it correctly. What does it convey? I don't like seeing it because I've been to your profile and checked this photo and now whenever I see snippet of it, I'm reminded of the whole mud.

It’s Ariana Grande in a landfill

 

[Ikarus]

I am so confused... I finally got my LH and FSH tests back and...

FSH: 0.7 (normal is 1.5 to 12.4)
LH: 6.6 (normal is 1.7 to 8.6)

My T is significantly lower than the normal ranges, and my E is within female ranges. But why is my LH within normal ranges? And what does this mean for my hair? I am kind of worried!

 

[I'mme]

Has anyone managed to get significant thickening/regrowth without a MTF protocol? I've seen some people mention small vellus hairs, but not something too significant.

Like topical anti-androgen with low-dose estradiol to minimize bad sides

Iirc, you're going to try Bicalutamide topical? Did you give it a try?

 

[I'mme]

It’s Ariana Grande in a landfill

Oh, okay. Take it lightly..

 

[Yar]

I am so confused... I finally got my LH and FSH tests back and...

FSH: 0.7 (normal is 1.5 to 12.4)
LH: 6.6 (normal is 1.7 to 8.6)

My T is significantly lower than the normal ranges, and my E is within female ranges. But why is my LH within normal ranges? And what does this mean for my hair? I am kind of worried!

most likely this is due to Bika, you would move to more classic treatment options.

 

[Ikarus]

most likely this is due to Bika, you would move to more classic treatment options.

Yes... I have realised that it's due to bicalutamide, although it doesn't matter much. A raise of LH is because bicalutamide is meant to raise T; my actual testosterone levels are significantly below regular ranges.