Options? what can help me?

[20goingon50]

Hey guys.

I have been lurking these forums for a long time now. I first came on about 4 years ago when i had really minor thinning. At this point i thought it was the end of the world. I would give anything to go back to that haha. Anyway, i saw lots of articles saying 'in 2-5 years there will be a cure or better options'. I left happily, i didn't know much about balding and believed if a cure was that close it wouldn't effect me.

My hair has been thinning ever since, most people probably still can't tell but it is pretty drastic to me. I have diffuse thinning so my hair is thinning at the crown and all over the middle of the scalp but my hair line is pretty intact. It is ruining my life as i never feel comfortable and wear a hat everywhere and all the time.

I came back to these forums in january of this year horrified to see that we are not really any closer to a product coming out even though so much has obviously been discovered about hair loss. Not knowing what to do i tried to follow Desmond's propecia twice a week plan. Tuesdays and Saturdays. I got sides within the first week and tried to stick it out but they got worse and so by week 3 i came off. I have only just got back to normal now after around 2/3 months off it and this is now not an option for me

My question, will minox/rogaine help my thinning hair? If i do get it does it usually cause a noticeable shed? do the sheds usually return? Are there any other options (ones without sexual side effects) ?

Really hope we find a cure for this thing soon. Amazing when you have hair it doesn't seem that important but a lack of hair is really damaging mentally. I am only 22 i wish i didn't have to worry about this. Thanks for any help