Saw Palmetto: Constant Headaches & Other Sides?

[Pioneer]

Howdy community. Over the last year, I've noticed what seems to be diffused thinning and a receding hairline. As I value my hair, I've tried everything short of propecia and minoxodyl.

In particular, I've been using nizoral, saw palmetto, biotin, vivoscal, nutrafol, and revivogen. Regarding those pills, I've taken nizoral twice daily per the box's instructions, take 4 nutrafol pills at night, and biotin at the beginning and end of every day. I've also started saw palmetto regularly which seemingly causes migraine like headaches the days after I take it right before bed.

I was curious about the sides of SP given these headaches and, what seems like, a lowered labido as well. I don't want to say anything definitively but I believe "morning wood" has been all but gone since I started with SP....

So does SP mimic propecia? If it's going to give similar low labido sides, is it logical to just try "nuclear options" and go with propecia and minoxidil (I've stayed away due to concerns over sides).

I'm not looking to "risk it all" to keep my hair but I'm shocked at how little the options I've used thus far seem to be. I must have tried a half dozen different shampoos and am getting to the point I might just go with propecia to see if any sides show up.

Any help is appreciated

 

[hairblues]

the guys will most likely tell you
minoxidil
Procecia
Keto shampoo

The vitamins and other stuff is not going to help you hair loss...The SP i think lowers androgens but probably the dose you need is too much and causing headache--i would stop and go on propecia instead.

Im a woman so i am to on Propecia just passing along what i hear here all the time

The minoxidil--dont be afraid of sides its rare to have sides--i 'think' what may happen is people use too much. Use it conservatively in beginning until you feel comfortable with it see how you do.>dont use it right after a shower in beginning..pores are too open.

 

[science_d]

Howdy community. Over the last year, I've noticed what seems to be diffused thinning and a receding hairline. As I value my hair, I've tried everything short of propecia and minoxodyl.

In particular, I've been using nizoral, saw palmetto, biotin, vivoscal, nutrafol, and revivogen. Regarding those pills, I've taken nizoral twice daily per the box's instructions, take 4 nutrafol pills at night, and biotin at the beginning and end of every day. I've also started saw palmetto regularly which seemingly causes migraine like headaches the days after I take it right before bed.

I was curious about the sides of SP given these headaches and, what seems like, a lowered labido as well. I don't want to say anything definitively but I believe "morning wood" has been all but gone since I started with SP....

So does SP mimic propecia? If it's going to give similar low labido sides, is it logical to just try "nuclear options" and go with propecia and minoxidil (I've stayed away due to concerns over sides).

I'm not looking to "risk it all" to keep my hair but I'm shocked at how little the options I've used thus far seem to be. I must have tried a half dozen different shampoos and am getting to the point I might just go with propecia to see if any sides show up.

Any help is appreciated

First, it is important to realize that it generally takes 4 - 6 months of consistent and proper use of a treatment before ANY results are evident as far as stopping hair loss or regrowing hair. So I am not sure how long you have tried the treatments you mentioned, but be aware that you cannot draw any accurate conclusions about their effectiveness until after 6 months of use.

With that said, I do not think saw palmetto has enough science backing it when it comes to fighting male pattern baldness. One study showed that it did reduce PROSTATE DHT levels, but not overall blood levels (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11337315). So I am not sure if it is a worthwhile treatment for hair loss.

As far as shampoo is concerned, instead of trying a whole bunch of shampoos, just stick to the one that has been shown to actually counter hair loss, i.e., ketoconazole shampoo (the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo), and use it consistently. The 2% concentration is also more effective than the 1% (https://attackplan.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/helpful/).

If you're worried about the side effects of finasteride, you could try a smaller dose (0.2 - 0.5 mg) and see if there are any results after 6 months. After 6 months, you can assess its effectiveness and then decide if any possible side effects are tolerable or not. Minoxidil can certainly help as well, and most importantly, clinical studies have established its effectiveness. I have seen some studies showing low level laser therapy (LLLT) may be effective as well (and that has no side effects), but I haven't personally tested it out enough on myself, so I cannot guarantee that.

 

[Rick Liew]

Hi Pioneer... im currently using one Product.. maybe can help you too.. all the best

 

[SmoothSailing]

If you're taking nizoral pills then these are more likely to cause libido issues than saw palmetto.


Read the side effects, keto is an 5ar inhibitor, most people here use nizoral shampoo.


Saw Palmetto can cause sexualy sides like finasteride, although it blocks less DHT so they are more unlikely.

 

[Pioneer]

If you're taking nizoral pills then these are more likely to cause libido issues than saw palmetto.


Read the side effects, keto is an 5ar inhibitor, most people here use nizoral shampoo.


Saw Palmetto can cause sexualy sides like finasteride, although it blocks less DHT so they are more unlikely.

Sorry, I realized I wrote that incorrectly. What I meant is that I am taking Vivoscal twice a day. I use Nizoral SHAMPOO maybe 2 or 3 times a week but do not take any of their pills.

Perhaps I should try 2% nizoral and give minoxidil a shot. I bought some Lipogaine but ended up never using it out of fear of sides

Would you say it's safe to just jump right into propecia and minoxidil or should I start with one and then add the other?

 

[hairblues]

Sorry, I realized I wrote that incorrectly. What I meant is that I am taking Vivoscal twice a day. I use Nizoral SHAMPOO maybe 2 or 3 times a week but do not take any of their pills.

Perhaps I should try 2% nizoral and give minoxidil a shot. I bought some Lipogaine but ended up never using it out of fear of sides

Would you say it's safe to just jump right into propecia and minoxidil or should I start with one and then add the other?

i

I dont know i started with topical spironolactone for a month then just recently added minoxidil...

if i add oral spironolactone i am debating doing it now or waiting two months to get over minoxidil shed if it even happens

i think no wrong or right.

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

There was a thread about this recently. Saw palmetto seems to just be a weaker finasteride.

 

[yary]

There was a thread about this recently. Saw palmetto seems to just be a weaker finasteride.

I am interested in taking it even tho I am only 25 ( the bottle says prostate control ) we will see

 

[shookwun]

Saw palmetto has ZERO effect on inhibiting 5a-r on the scalp

Essentially it's useless.


it's claims are lowering DHT, but it doesn't have any effect on the scalp.

 

[abcdefg]

Saw palmetto has ZERO effect on inhibiting 5a-r on the scalp

Essentially it's useless.


it's claims are lowering DHT, but it doesn't have any effect on the scalp.

Having tried this myself I am not sure about this. Honestly the danger here is my own little experience could have been the placebo effect because i can tell you right now its very real, and very powerful. You can think things to the point of believing them even when they arent real or related.
That being said I tried SP, and I got sexual sides. It also numbed my entire scalp and when I say that I mean the itch I had constantly my entire life completely went away for months while I was on it, and came back after I quit. It had very similar sides to finasteride so if its weaker then finasteride I am scared to touch finasteride. I have heard some people say that SP is about 10 times weaker then finasteride and it probably isnt strong enough for male pattern baldness.
I think SP does do something now whether it can help male pattern baldness I have no idea which is why I quit it wasnt worth it. My opinion is try propecia instead.

 

[yary]

Having tried this myself I am not sure about this. Honestly the danger here is my own little experience could have been the placebo effect because i can tell you right now its very real, and very powerful. You can think things to the point of believing them even when they arent real or related.
That being said I tried SP, and I got sexual sides. It also numbed my entire scalp and when I say that I mean the itch I had constantly my entire life completely went away for months while I was on it, and came back after I quit. It had very similar sides to finasteride so if its weaker then finasteride I am scared to touch finasteride. I have heard some people say that SP is about 10 times weaker then finasteride and it probably isnt strong enough for male pattern baldness.
I think SP does do something now whether it can help male pattern baldness I have no idea which is why I quit it wasnt worth it. My opinion is try propecia instead.

So SP numbed your scalp, did it stop or slow hair loss receding?