+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    109

    Default Finasteride alternatives?

    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.

  2. #2
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    17

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    3,125

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lucrio View Post
    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.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    109

    Question

    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.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    3,125

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lucrio View Post
    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.

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    1

    Default my experience with alternatives so far

    I took generic fin for about two years. I can for sure relate some sides to it with me. The amount of ejaculatory was maybe 20% of what it was before I started. I used to wake up with morning erections every so often like most men do, but once on fin I never had one for the entire two years. My erections don't get nearly as strong as they did before fin. One thing that I can't for 100% sure relate to it, but I feel there is a good probability, is anxiety for no apparent reasons. The anxiety I never thought about being related until I read several articles of that being a side of fin. I'm not one of these guys that wants to blame all their life's problems on fin. I'm just stating what I experienced. Believe me, I wish it weren't the case.

    I went off fin about two or three months ago because of this, and needless to say, I have much more hair coming out during shampoos and just throughout the day. A few weeks ago I began taking saw palmetto and beta sis hoping that would help, but as of now I can't say it has done anything for me. I was really hoping to find something that works and doesn't mess with my body the way fin did, but I don't feel very optimistic.

    I also recently tried minoxidil, the liquid kind with a dropper. My hair looks horrible when I apply it to the point of where I feel it's pointless. I wouldn't mind it if I only had to do it in the evenings, but you have to use it in the morning too for it to work from what I've read. I think my head would look better shaved than with thin, greasy hair.

    People don't notice my hair thinning, but I'm taller and people can't see the top of my head very well. When I look at the top of my head in the mirror I clearly have much, much thinner hair on top than the sides, and every day I'm losing more and more of it. I'm very caught up in it and it's extremely depressing. I feel like my only option is to take fin and risk messing up my body or accept and let my hair fall out.

    One last thing about fin, the propecia website has been down for months now and there's just a generic webpage with a link to report issues with propecia to the FDA. That doesn't make me feel any better about taking fin at all. I'm looked around a lot and can't find any news on why propecia.com is down with just this message. One can only imagine it's not good though.

    I feel for all us guys dealing with this issue.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    109

    Default

    In response to what jupiter6791 said, the sides I experience are similar to yours. I wouldnt say I have anxiety but I have felt less and less energetic and overall less capable while taking fin. It is depressing that the only option is to trade your libido and sexual well being for hair. I really don't want to stop trying yet.

    Another question about minoxidil. Does the rogaine foam leave your hair as greasy as the liquid form?

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lucrio View Post
    In response to what jupiter6791 said, the sides I experience are similar to yours. I wouldnt say I have anxiety but I have felt less and less energetic and overall less capable while taking fin. It is depressing that the only option is to trade your libido and sexual well being for hair. I really don't want to stop trying yet.

    Another question about minoxidil. Does the rogaine foam leave your hair as greasy as the liquid form?
    Mate, thats not the only option !!

    just with Minoxidil LLT and few natural approaches you have an excellent chance of slowing your hairloss if not halting it entirely until the newer treatments that are currently being developed and trialled are launched.
    If you can't wait that long, find a well regarded surgeon and get a hair transplant.

    My experience with the foam was that no it won't leave your hair as greasy-
    and one other thing if you get sides from minoxidil,try one with a different inactive ingredient before you give up ..

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    109

    Default

    Thanks for the positivity Luke. Your comment has really improved my mood. I am now convinced to try minoxidil.

  10. #10
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I dont think propecia is worth it. Has anyone read this book http://www.hairgrowthcure.com ?

Similar Threads

  1. Survey: Finasteride Users on this forum (one big Finasteride Thread)
    By Phatalis in forum Hair Transplant: Start Your Own Topic
    Replies: 73
    Last Post: 05-23-2021, 05:57 PM
  2. Finasteride alternatives
    By dd11856 in forum Hair Loss Treatments
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-31-2009, 02:02 AM
  3. Does Anyone Have Feedback on JA Alternatives?
    By billybaroo in forum Introduce Yourself & Share Your Story
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-10-2009, 05:45 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-02-2008, 02:21 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

» IAHRS

hair transplant surgeons

» The Bald Truth

» Recent Threads

1800 graft repair case results by Dr. Lindsey
Yesterday 08:38 AM
Last Post By Dr. Lindsey
Yesterday 08:38 AM
Navigating the German Job Market as a Kenyan Citizen
11-04-2023 06:31 AM
Last Post By Keegan212
Yesterday 03:51 AM
DR HAKAN DOGANAY/ 4500 GRAFTS / Implanter Pen+FUE
03-26-2024 04:15 PM
Last Post By Hakan Doganay, MD
03-26-2024 04:15 PM
The Mane Event for Thursday, June 15th, 2023
06-15-2023 02:59 PM
Last Post By gisecit34
03-26-2024 08:05 AM