Finasteride alternatives?

[Tracy C]

Im curious about minoxidil...

...what is the most convenient and least mesy way to apply it?

The success rate is published on Rogaines web site.

http://www.rogaine.com/about-rogaine

Rogaine foam is the least messy, most convenient and stealthy way to use Minoxidil. I use men's Rogaine myself in the morning for those reasons. In the evenings I use generic women's liquid minoxidil because it is less expensive than Rogaine foam and women's Rogaine.

I also use the Hairmax laser comb every other day and Nizoral A-D shampoo in place of my regular shampoo twice per week.

[lucrio]

Thanks for the comments. In response to what Tracy C said, 5 months is a long time to start experiencing side effects and it is this reason why I am so surprised and dissapointed. I agree that this seems like a long time after starting the treatment but I can't seem to think of any other reason for the sides. I know that they arent in my head as they happened suddenly and I was always one to discredit side effect claims caused by finasteride.

Im curious about minoxidil. What is the percent success of people using it and from experience or knowledge, what is the most convenient and least mesy way to apply it? If I do decide to switch to minoxidil id like to know what i'm getting into. Thanks to everyone who has commented, this blog is really my best tool in fighting hairloss.

[Tracy C]

Does anyone know of any alternatives to finasteride that have actual evidence of effectiveness.

You need to be aware that if anything did offer the same results as Finasteride - or better, it would probably have the same side effect profile - or worse. It just is what it is. 5 months after starting is a long time to start feeling side effects. Are you sure these side effects you feel are isolated to Finasteride and nothing else?

With that said, there was a short term study some time ago on the effects of a specific Saw Palmetto complex for treatment of BPH. Please note that I said "complex" and not straight Saw Palmetto. The results of that short term study were favorable. The duration of that study was too short and the number of participants was too small, but that study is the closest thing to any legitimate studies I have been able to find. Please be aware though that these concerns do not apply to me, so I have not put as much effort into this as someone for whom these concerns do apply.

[Luke]

Minoxidil is the only other real 1st line treatment and LLT is right up there, basically you want to do everything you can while the existing players in the market continue developing and trialling their treatments prior to release.
Then its Nizoral shampoo twice per week
Natural remedies ...well do you homework ! look into saw palmetto which may increase your chances of slowing down hair loss.
LEF is a respected scientific body and they also have some stuff for sale

[lucrio]

So I've been on finasteride for about 6 months now. About 4 months in I noticed I was getting side effects after not experiencing any for the first months. I lowered my dosage by half and gave it a few weeks. The sides went away slightly but still were definitely noticeable. I lowered the dosage again and the sides are still not fully gone.

I have decided that ill have to quit finasteride completely to fully get rid of the side effects. It is very disappointing as I noticed my hair getting better around the 5th month and the side effects happened suddenly when I wasn't expecting.

I really dont want to give up fighting hair loss completely as im still young. Does anyone know of any alternatives to finasteride that have actual evidence of effectiveness. I know there are tons of websites making claims at natural products but they all seem bogus. I figure ill get the most legit info here. I know finasteride is the one that really works but if anyone knows anything else that will help fight hairloss with less sides i would really appreciate it.