19 year old male experiencing a receding hairline and thinning

[chrisis]

You have my case. Same hairline. I'm into 25 now and not much have changed.

Rogaine foam is BS. If you want to be sure you are doing maximum to halt hair loss, get a prescription for finasteride. Take 1.25mg of fin per day and apply minoxidil. I recommend Kirkland Minoxidil, because it is cheaper. Once or two times a week wash your hair with Nizoral shampoo and that's it.

Finasteride is the key here. The only thing that can really save your hair in case you are having MPB.

If you don't have the guts to take fin, fearing some minor side effect only one in a million gets, then I don't think you really want your hair enough.

Your advice is terrible. Stick to asking questions.

[chrisis]

Finasteride side effects don't affect one in a million.

The truth is no one knows the % affected. Each study has a different % and each study has potential for bias and methodology weaknesses that even a layman like me can easily expose.

Choosing to take finasteride is not about "guts", it's about each person's own opinion and weighing up pros and cons. It's clear you're passionate about your own hair loss, but don't flavour your "advice" with it such that it is not only inaccurate, but sometimes offensive.

[hairforme]

Thanks for your replies guys, and keep them coming. But the only thing that has been clear to me is that there is a lot of confusion and failure when it comes to treating hair loss.

I've already discussed this problem with my physician who downplayed my problem, and did nothing to help me but give me a worthless anti-dandruff shampoo. I don't want any more bullshit.

I'm interested in Rogaine foam because of the easy topical application, and many people recommend it. I don't want to take propecia or other medications because it's expensive and I'm hearing too many people complain about horrific side effects such as erectile dysfunction (no thanks!).

[whyohwhy]

I think you have to decide that is it more manly to have hair and no erection? Or is it more manly to have an erection with no hair? You have to think that even if it were one in a million which it isn't in some studies done on 100 men it was found that almost 70% had found decreased libido.
Taking something that interferes with the body's natural make up is dangerous if taken for a long time.
I think "getting it up" pretty much outweighs some hair on your head. (my opinion)

[hairforme]

I think you have to decide that is it more manly to have hair and no erection? Or is it more manly to have an erection with no hair? You have to think that even if it were one in a million which it isn't in some studies done on 100 men it was found that almost 70% had found decreased libido.
Taking something that interferes with the body's natural make up is dangerous if taken for a long time.
I think "getting it up" pretty much outweighs some hair on your head. (my opinion)

If I have to choose between baldness and sexual problems, I would choose to live with baldness. But you're saying that every hair loss treatment has those kinds of side effects?!

[whyohwhy]

Not all duh! haha just the ones that directly affect DHT production...as it a potent testosterone that your body produces that affects the hair, but its also seen as necessary for physiologic programs in your body. You just have to be prepared in the end...taking all pharmacy grade medications no matter what has side affects...just depends if they are worth it.