How safe is only minoxidil? Are the side effects permanent?

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  • aceman
    Member
    • May 2015
    • 30

    How safe is only minoxidil? Are the side effects permanent?

    I have receding hairline at the temples, started a few years ago but obviously getting worse the last few years, at a faster rate. I have been thinking about using minox foam to help my hair. I heard minox will work on the temples despite the box saying only vertex. Also, I have no intention of every using finasteride, I'd rather go bald or surgery than mess with hormones. But I have been hearing conflicting views on how bad the side effects are for just minox....all dermatologists I have spoken with said it is safe and to start treatment immediately, but i keep hearing about some serious side effects. Is there a way to figure out how bad the side effects will be? Is it worth even trying minox, or should I just go straight to surgery or PRP?

    Here are the effects I have heard of, can you guys let me know if you how likely you think it will happen?

    1) Shedding seems the most common, although was told it is a good sign. Dermatologists actually tell me that the shed would not really be noticeable? Is it possible to shed and the hair not come back?

    2) Heart problems - sounds really serious - how common is this?

    3) ED - that's usually for finasteride but I heard could happen for minox as well?? Is that true?

    4) Puffy eyes - is that true? How serious and how often? Will it go away?

    5) Dry/bad skin - can make you look like a skeleton, adds 25 years to your age - is that true? If so, why is it worth it?

    6) Hearing loss?? is this one true? This scares me because I have weak ears already - had ear infections growing up, and one time had to punch a hole in the eardrum (ear tube).

    7) Anything else??

    So how likely is it that you will get these conditions? They seem really serious and is making me paranoid. Why do most people think minox is much safer than fin, even though there seems to be just as many if not more side effects? How can it be over the counter if the effects are so bad? Why does everyone I talk to in person say it is safe, but online it seems otherwise?

    Lastly, what if I use it and I get bad reactions? How do I know it is because of minox and not something else, would it be very obvious? If I stop minox I assume the symptoms will resolve, or could there be permanent damage? If I start using it for a month, then get a heart attack, and then stop minox, will all my hair fall out?

    Basically I am trying to see what the risk are if I start minox vs. not using it at all, and if I can just stop without permanent effects?
  • mrclean
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2017
    • 524

    #2
    Been on it for over 20 years and had none of that. You can scare yourself out of using anything by looking on the internet. Very safe drug with minimal side effect if any.

    Here you go..stay away from aspirin worst than minoxidil

    Aspirin Side Effects
    There are many many aspirin side effects. Some of them are less harmful, but some of them are deadly. In fact, in the 1970's, aspirin side effects made it one of the top ten drugs for adverse reactions! While some reactions are mild, aspirin side effects such as bleeding ulcers frequently sent people to the hospital where thousands every year DIE from aspirin side effects.


    Read more: http://www.side-effects-site.com/asp...#ixzz4vcnFX4Wu

    Comment

    • aceman
      Member
      • May 2015
      • 30

      #3
      Originally posted by mrclean
      Been on it for over 20 years and had none of that. You can scare yourself out of using anything by looking on the internet. Very safe drug with minimal side effect if any.

      Here you go..stay away from aspirin worst than minoxidil

      Aspirin Side Effects
      There are many many aspirin side effects. Some of them are less harmful, but some of them are deadly. In fact, in the 1970's, aspirin side effects made it one of the top ten drugs for adverse reactions! While some reactions are mild, aspirin side effects such as bleeding ulcers frequently sent people to the hospital where thousands every year DIE from aspirin side effects.


      Read more: http://www.side-effects-site.com/asp...#ixzz4vcnFX4Wu
      LOL ok thanks...maybe I should give it a try...so do you know a lot of people who are using minox, and most of them do not have side effects?

      Also, how is it working for you anyway, is it still effective after 20 years because I hear it loses effectiveness in 2 years?

      Comment

      • mrclean
        Senior Member
        • Jan 2017
        • 524

        #4
        It is less effective now than it was but still slows it down. I don't know anyone else using it because I don't advertise that I use it to my friends. I keep the shame of my hair loss secret

        Comment

        • mattj
          Doctor Representative
          • Oct 2009
          • 1422

          #5
          You do hear of people who continued to have side effects after stopping Finasteride, but they are likely a small minority of people. As far as Minoxidil goes, the side effects are less commonly reported to begin with and people are generally less bothered by them then they are by Finasteride side effects. I can't say I've ever heard of problems persisting after stopping the treatment.
          I am a patient and representative of Dr Rahal

          My FUE With Dr Rahal - Awesome Hairline Result

          I can be contacted for advice: matt@rahalhairline.com

          Comment

          • k9gatton
            Senior Member
            • Oct 2016
            • 570

            #6
            Minoxidil is very safe. I take two different high concentrated dosages, prescribed by two different companies. Once concentrated amount is three times the daily dosage (five percent, twice a day). The other is three halfs the daily dosage. A 30% and 15% prescribed dosage.

            It's completely safe, in my own experience. I don't have any libido problems (yes, some people report those, any truth to that is debatable), or wrinkles on my head.

            Comment

            • Kyle Kneeland
              Doctor Representative
              • Mar 2017
              • 84

              #7
              I've never heard of any side effects persisting for more than a week or two after someone stopped using Minoxidil. And I've never heard of any (verified) cases of someone having hearing problem or erectile dysfunction while on it, and the rest (aside from minor redness/irritation and the initial shed) are all very rare.
              I am a representative for Dr. Sean Behnam in Los Angeles, CA.
              My opinions are my own.

              Comment

              • aceman
                Member
                • May 2015
                • 30

                #8
                Thanks folks - will get started on that soon.

                One thing - do they come in travel sizes?

                Comment

                • An Man
                  Junior Member
                  • May 2017
                  • 17

                  #9
                  Aceman: Minoxidil can cause severe sexual side effects. This happens only to a minority of patients, but when it happens you will have persisting erectile dysfunction. As you are well aware there are hundreds of patients on the Internet that report sexual side effects, I am one of them. I can tell you now in hindsight: It is way more important to keep your libido than slowing down androgenic alopecia. If you accept the risks of Minoxidil, go ahead it is your decision. But keep in mind: You have been forewarned.

                  Comment

                  • aceman
                    Member
                    • May 2015
                    • 30

                    #10
                    Originally posted by An Man
                    Aceman: Minoxidil can cause severe sexual side effects. This happens only to a minority of patients, but when it happens you will have persisting erectile dysfunction. As you are well aware there are hundreds of patients on the Internet that report sexual side effects, I am one of them. I can tell you now in hindsight: It is way more important to keep your libido than slowing down androgenic alopecia. If you accept the risks of Minoxidil, go ahead it is your decision. But keep in mind: You have been forewarned.
                    what is your proof? other folks here have said these claims are not verifiable.

                    Comment

                    • An Man
                      Junior Member
                      • May 2017
                      • 17

                      #11
                      If you think I am exaggerating, don't take my word, just google "Minoxidil+sexual dysfunction", "Minoxidil+libido loss", etc, you will find hundred of patient stories. Do you think they are all lying, or that this is all a big conspiracy against Minoxidil?
                      What do you think is my intention? I don't want to sell you anything, I just want to tell you the truth. For some individuals, a minority, Minoxidil is a very toxic and dangerous drug which can cause severe sexual side effects. Are you willing to take the gamble?
                      If I were you I would NEVER touch Minoxidil, it has ruined many lives (including mine).

                      Comment

                      • aceman
                        Member
                        • May 2015
                        • 30

                        #12
                        Originally posted by An Man
                        If you think I am exaggerating, don't take my word, just google "Minoxidil+sexual dysfunction", "Minoxidil+libido loss", etc, you will find hundred of patient stories. Do you think they are all lying, or that this is all a big conspiracy against Minoxidil?
                        What do you think is my intention? I don't want to sell you anything, I just want to tell you the truth. For some individuals, a minority, Minoxidil is a very toxic and dangerous drug which can cause severe sexual side effects. Are you willing to take the gamble?
                        If I were you I would NEVER touch Minoxidil, it has ruined many lives (including mine).
                        If I google car accidents or plane crashes, I will get hundreds of examples. Yet I still drive, and I still fly. Like pretty much every one. I have used many powerful drugs before (for medical purposes), and the side effects have all disappeared after I stopped.

                        What I am trying to determine is what the chances and risks are. So instead of telling me it's evil why don't you tell me what your situation is - that is much more practical.

                        Comment

                        • An Man
                          Junior Member
                          • May 2017
                          • 17

                          #13
                          I've already told you: erectile dysfunction, loss of libido. The symptoms last more than a year now, and they started immediately after I used Minoxidil.
                          Yes, Minoxidil is evil and dangerous. The risks associated with its use far outweigh the benefits. It is not like you will have headaches or a rash, we are talking about severe sexual side effects. My penis feels like rubber, do you want the same thing happening to you? Do you have a Plan B when this happens to you? The symptoms do not go away after discontinuing Minoxidil, just like with Finasteride.

                          Comment

                          • aceman
                            Member
                            • May 2015
                            • 30

                            #14
                            Originally posted by An Man
                            I've already told you: erectile dysfunction, loss of libido. The symptoms last more than a year now, and they started immediately after I used Minoxidil.
                            Yes, Minoxidil is evil and dangerous. The risks associated with its use far outweigh the benefits. It is not like you will have headaches or a rash, we are talking about severe sexual side effects. My penis feels like rubber, do you want the same thing happening to you? Do you have a Plan B when this happens to you? The symptoms do not go away after discontinuing Minoxidil, just like with Finasteride.
                            sorry boy, you're gonna have to do better than that. you have not provided any details about your situation, just that you have a burning penis head...WTF. you are the only one I have ever heard of with that symptom.

                            Comment

                            • An Man
                              Junior Member
                              • May 2017
                              • 17

                              #15
                              What kind of details do you want me to talk about?
                              Do you know the site askapatient? Just look up Minoxidil, there are plenty of users that provide additional proof.

                              Comment

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