Welcome,
For starters the chances that your gel is causing your hairloss sounds unusual, and a consultaion with a dermatolgist will clarify this.
For male pattern baldness: The majority of users here recommend the use of Poscar split into 1/4 or the use of propecia. Note that you should advisabley be over 18 before beginning treatment. This halts the DHT in your scalp attacking the hair follicles and theres a great amount of people with varying degrees of success. Topical solutions such as Xandrox 15 plus contains the essential ingredient as propecia and proscar or anyother generic. Topical studies have been done and the findings are i have found a little ambigious, but basically you are still recieving some systemic absorption, so in theory it should do the same job. Finestride and DHT inhibtors attack the root cause of loss.
Minixidil is a growth stimulant and comes in 2% 5% an 15% minoxidal however some users advise against getting your hair perhaps hooked on it, as users experience a loss through shedding at the beginning as hair follicles are kicked into action and at the end when a user stops or discontnues minxidil. The Loss at the end is because hair follicles minutirise completely without the minioxidal supplment they have grown used to.
Most people have a complex regimes and its complicated to pin anyones success to one thing in particular. However Finestride and Minoxidil are borth FDA approved. Your choice lies in your own research, no one can tell you whats right or wrong. You need to weigh up whats important to you. If you have no qualms taking oral finestride, then it alone is a recommeneded route, adding the minoxidil later, this is because if you respond to the finestride then you maynot need to get your hair hooked on minoxidil. Remember that results can take up to a year and thats along time if you look at your hair in the mirror every few minutes. Take a baseline photo to gauge your success as its very hard to see whats happening when your mind builds up an evolving picture from day to day.
I would personally get active run each day, play sport and do something you enjoy. I believe that stress has a fundamental role, and the occurances of male pattern baldness is certainly one reason to stress further, help your body and relax and let it detox when you exercise. Getting in shape never hurt anyone. Nizoral is a shampoo containing Keto that is a great simple treatment anyone can do with out busting the bank, althought it is advised you use this shampoo in conjuction with other treatments to maximise your chances. if you can leave it for 10 minutes before washing it out you may be maximising its effect, hell somepeople leave it in all day and night (questionable).
Please remember that generations before modern society became so obssessed with image; personality and strength of character were virtues, if anything your dealing with something that you wont have to face when your older, use it to wise up, that things dont last and make the most of opportunties presented.
Good Luck