Questions about Rogaine/Minoxidil. Please help!

[Adam4210]

When you guys refer to "minoxidil", are you referring to Rogaine? I am interested in getting on minoxidil if it actually works. Can I have some input on how well this works and where exactly I should get it if it is not Rogaine.

Also, Does Avodart(dutasteride) require a prescription like Propecia? Does it also have the possible dangerous side effects like Propecia? I was considering getting on Propecia, but I have been browsing other hair loss forums and sites and talking about how horrible the side's are and it seems to affect much more than 1-2% of patients.

I want to stop my hair loss, but I do not know where to start! I thought I had the right step with Propecia, but the frequency of side's are scaring the hell out of me! Whats your guysl advice!

Thanks for ANY help guys!!!

[mkamph]

Adam4210,

yeah, rogaine is just brand name minoxidil. i get mine at costco and it's not that expensive. you might go thru some shedding at first, but this usually subsides in most cases. after this period, it will strengthen your existing hair and maybe grow some new hair.

you can get dutasteride thru various websites and it's pretty reasonable as well. i use it. i experienced some mild sides initially, like loss of labido, but this quickly went away. i get mine at pharmacyescrow.com without a script.

i believe the reason you hear about the sides so often on sites is that a majority of people who experience sides go on sites to discuss them, whereas people who don't experience the sides don't have problems to discuss. the latter group is probably much larger, but you won't hear about them on these types of sites.

i hope this helps and good luck!

[Spex]

The big 3 to beat DHT, THE CAUSE OF HAIRLOSS!

- Propecia ( Finesteride ), Minoxodil and Nizoral

Here is the thing you need to make sure you understand when it comes to MPB:

The main known factor that causes hairloss is DHT. To form DHT your body's 5a-reductase enzyme converts free roaming testosterone DHT inside the hair cell follicle. The DHT then binds to the hair cell receptor and causes it to atrophy or shrink. Eventually your hair follicle stops producing hair and you lose that follicle.

There are two types of the 5ar enzyme; Type I and Type II. Type II 5ar seems to be the main culprit in MPB as the type II enzyme is present in the hair follicles. Finasteride is a specific inhibitor of Type II 5ar inhibitor that reduces DHT produced by the type II 5ar by 85%-90% and reduces the overall DHT blood serum levels by 65%.

As you can see Finasteride (PROPECIA ) is extremely useful as a treatment for MPB as it directly attacks the problem. Nizoral shampoo is thought to help "dull" the androgen receptors in the scalp which the DHT binds to. Together they provide a synergetic effect.

Minoxidil is a hair stimulant. It is the only FDA proven hair stimulant on the market. However stimulating hair and protecting hair from further damage are two separate actions

Minoxidil will artificially augment your hair while you use the compound but it does NOT have any know effect on 5ar or the androgen receptors in the scalp.

The best way to attack MPB is to:

1. Stop further damage to your hair via DHT. You can accomplish this best by using Finasteride to inhibit the 5ar enzyme and Nizoral to "dull" the androgen receptors.

2. **If** further thickening/regrowth is needed after the hair damaging DHT androgen is reduced then minoxidil can be used to further augment your existing hairs and perhaps even stimulant some dormant hair follicles to resume growing.


Regards

Spex

[Adam4210]

Originally Posted by mkamph

Adam4210,

yeah, rogaine is just brand name minoxidil. i get mine at costco and it's not that expensive. you might go thru some shedding at first, but this usually subsides in most cases. after this period, it will strengthen your existing hair and maybe grow some new hair.

you can get dutasteride thru various websites and it's pretty reasonable as well. i use it. i experienced some mild sides initially, like loss of labido, but this quickly went away. i get mine at pharmacyescrow.com without a script.

i believe the reason you hear about the sides so often on sites is that a majority of people who experience sides go on sites to discuss them, whereas people who don't experience the sides don't have problems to discuss. the latter group is probably much larger, but you won't hear about them on these types of sites.

i hope this helps and good luck!

How authentic is the pharmacyescrow.com website? How has dutasteride been working for you? How is it different from propecia?

How long do you need to be on Rogaine to see any effect?

Thanks guys!!

[Spex]

Propecia is the best proven way to prevent further loss. If for some reason your not a responder theres Dutasteride/Avodart but i recommend you start off with Propecia/proscar and see how you repond.

FYI -

Dutasteride and finasteride (PROPECIA) are both 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibitors. Both treatments work by inhibiting 5AR, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary androgen in the prostate. It is a primary factor in the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate diseases and is also a major cause of hair loss.

.5mg - 2.5mg of Dutasteride provides better results in hair maintenance/regrowth as opposed to Finasteride

However, the benefit likely comes from its higher inhibition of type II 5ar not its suppression of type I 5ar. Merck tested a specific type I 5ar inhibitor called "MK386" in a human trial and found it had no effect on balding.

Jumping on the Dutasteride bandwagon before the Finasteride bandwagon is not a good idea. For most men Finasteride is enough to halt and even reverse MPB... In the off-chance your body becomes tolerant of Finasteride (over the years) you always have Dutasteride to fall back on...

Side-effects on Dutasteride may be more common, any such sides would last longer as the half-life of Dutasteride is much longer then Finasteride, and unlike type II 5ar type I 5ar *is* present in brain tissue. Finally, keep in mind that DHT is not an evil androgen that just causes hairloss. Various bodily functions benefit from DHT. Finasteride inhibits 65% overall DHT levels leaving 35% for your body to use (most of that 35% is from the type I 5ar that isnt a big factor in hairloss). Dutasteride inhibits 90% or more overall DHT levels leaving 10% or less for your body...

Basically, use Finasteride **first** and only resort to Dutasteride if you must - This is just my opinion


You will need to give Minoxidil a minimum of 3-4 months to see any positive effect from it and thenyou will need to continue to apply Minox to maintain and improve any benefits.
All the best!
Spex

[Adam4210]

Originally Posted by Spex

Propecia is the best proven way to prevent further loss. If for some reason your not a responder theres Dutasteride/Avodart but i recommend you start off with Propecia/proscar and see how you repond.

FYI -

Dutasteride and finasteride (PROPECIA) are both 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibitors. Both treatments work by inhibiting 5AR, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary androgen in the prostate. It is a primary factor in the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate diseases and is also a major cause of hair loss.

.5mg - 2.5mg of Dutasteride provides better results in hair maintenance/regrowth as opposed to Finasteride

However, the benefit likely comes from its higher inhibition of type II 5ar not its suppression of type I 5ar. Merck tested a specific type I 5ar inhibitor called "MK386" in a human trial and found it had no effect on balding.

Jumping on the Dutasteride bandwagon before the Finasteride bandwagon is not a good idea. For most men Finasteride is enough to halt and even reverse MPB... In the off-chance your body becomes tolerant of Finasteride (over the years) you always have Dutasteride to fall back on...

Side-effects on Dutasteride may be more common, any such sides would last longer as the half-life of Dutasteride is much longer then Finasteride, and unlike type II 5ar type I 5ar *is* present in brain tissue. Finally, keep in mind that DHT is not an evil androgen that just causes hairloss. Various bodily functions benefit from DHT. Finasteride inhibits 65% overall DHT levels leaving 35% for your body to use (most of that 35% is from the type I 5ar that isnt a big factor in hairloss). Dutasteride inhibits 90% or more overall DHT levels leaving 10% or less for your body...

Basically, use Finasteride **first** and only resort to Dutasteride if you must - This is just my opinion


You will need to give Minoxidil a minimum of 3-4 months to see any positive effect from it and thenyou will need to continue to apply Minox to maintain and improve any benefits.
All the best!
Spex

What are the chances of regrowth with propecia? I would love it if my thinning didnt get any worse from what it currently is, but I would REALLY like regrowth. Especially in my hairline. Does propecia work well for a receding hairline? Would propecia prevent you from going bald completely if you stay on the drug? Or does it only DRASTICALLY slow it down? Thank you SO much for your help

[Spex]

The drugs ability to regrow hair varies from person to person but highly unlikely it will regrow in the hairline. It's more beneficial in the mid to crown areas.