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  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tracy C View Post
    Hi mnx,

    It does not matter which side of your family has hereditary hair loss. You can inherit it from either side.

    What you have going on does not look bad but it does look like the typical start of hereditary hair loss. If this does bother you, you should see a doctor who specializes in treating hair loss. Here is a link to help you find a good one. Though these doctors are hair transplant surgeons, don't let that scare you off. You do not need a transplant and they will see that. They will tell you what you need to do to manage it.

    http://www.iahrs.org/hair-transplant/

    Provillus is a complete scam. Natural DHT blockers do nothing to slow down, stop or reverse hereditary hair loss. No one has ever been able to slow down, stop or reverse hereditary hair loss with natural DHT blockers. Taking the natural course is a waste of time, money and your hair. Don't listen to the fear mongers about Propecia. The medicine does have possible side effects but the percentage of males who experience them is very small and the side effects usually go away, even for those who continue to use the medication. Talk to a doctor who specializes in treating hair loss to get the real information about Propecia.

    You can find the most truthful information on treating hereditary hair loss at this link:

    http://www.americanhairloss.org/

    You will learn that there are only two medications that are proven to work and FDA approved to treat hereditary hair loss. Those medications are Propecia (or generic Finasteride) and Rogaine (or generic Minoxidil). Nizoral shampoo and low level laser therapy can help as adjunct treatments but everything else on the market is a complete scam. Don't fall for the scams.
    Thanks for the reply.

    That's what I've been concerned about. While the hair loss isn't too bad yet, it looks like its heading that direction.

    Thanks for the links. I really do want to see a specialist, and I found one near by on the list. I'll make sure to hash out with him what of the big 3 he thinks is good for me and his information on the risk involved.

    I've been into nutrition and natural supplements for awhile, and I felt like it has really helped my overall health, especially helping me overcome serious digestive issues. Your point about the unproven efficacy of natural supplements used for hair loss is well taken though. If I do in fact have the beginnings of MPB, I understand that this is an acute and aggressive issue with body chemistry and my use of supplements will probably not be sufficient for the results I desire. I still am very hesitant to consider finasteride.

    At the stage I am at, and until I sit down and talk with a specialist, I'll bide my time with my regimen and hope that the progression is slow. Part of me still hopes that this is just fallout from some extreme stress I've had lately.

    Thanks again for advice.

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisis View Post
    It's true I've not seen photo evidence, but the problem is not many people are bothering with saw palmetto, given that finasteride is heavily promoted as superior.

    There are only a few people who try it, but they're a fraction of the men who even bother to research the topic properly. Of those men, a fraction will be actually administering it effectively (the correct type of saw palmetto, the correct dose, in conjunction with beta sitoserol and over a long enough time period). Of those men, a fraction will be documenting it with photos over the space of several years. Of those men, only a fraction will actually be successful at controlling their hair loss (as with finasteride).

    It's easy to understand why it's hard to get testimonials, let alone testimonials with photographic proof.

    All I'm saying is the topic is too complicated to boldly write-off saw palmetto.

    We're all feeling around in the dark here.
    I think you and stbb make a good point. I'm not completely writing off the effect of the correct supplements. There are no clinical trials or testimonies proving their success, but there is some science attached to various herbs and their abilities as 5 alpha reductase inhibitors. I think they have the potential for some effects, and since my hair loss to this point hasn't been very aggressive I'm willing to give them a shot.

    I figure until the time I'm willing to try finasteride, if that happens, I may as well try it out.

  3. #13
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    A couple questions for Tracy or whoever can answer. (I will ask specialist when I am able to meet with one, but any answer I can get now is greatly appreciated)

    I've read somewhere that finasteride is only effective at stopping hair loss at stage 2 or 3. Myself being early in the process, should that preclude my use of it until I'm more progressed? Would it not be able to stop hair loss at it's current state?

  4. #14
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    I would say with almost total certainty that you are in the beginning stages of hereditary hair loss, if I'm going by the crown.

    A hair loss specialist could tell you for sure.

    If it is MPB, I suggest using a proven DHT suppressant that can stop and help reverse the loss. There are two of these on the market, finasteride and dutasteride. I would strongly recommend the former over the latter to start with. Both have a risk of side effects, but they are significantly higher with dutasteride (and there is also much less information currently about using dutasteride long-term for hair loss).
    I don't recommend spending time on alternative remedies like saw palmetto, because there isn't scientific evidence that they can maintain your hair. If you get unacceptable side effects from finasteride, you could try experimenting with alternatives at that point, but if you do things in reverse order you will lose more hair than you have to. Delaying treatment for just one year can unfortunately have a noticeable cosmetic impact.
    (2% ketoconazole shampoo and minoxidil are good supporting treatments, but on their own they won't maintain your hair or reverse your loss in the long term.)
    Good luck.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by 25 going on 65 View Post
    I would say with almost total certainty that you are in the beginning stages of hereditary hair loss, if I'm going by the crown.

    A hair loss specialist could tell you for sure.

    If it is MPB, I suggest using a proven DHT suppressant that can stop and help reverse the loss. There are two of these on the market, finasteride and dutasteride. I would strongly recommend the former over the latter to start with. Both have a risk of side effects, but they are significantly higher with dutasteride (and there is also much less information currently about using dutasteride long-term for hair loss).
    I don't recommend spending time on alternative remedies like saw palmetto, because there isn't scientific evidence that they can maintain your hair. If you get unacceptable side effects from finasteride, you could try experimenting with alternatives at that point, but if you do things in reverse order you will lose more hair than you have to. Delaying treatment for just one year can unfortunately have a noticeable cosmetic impact.
    (2% ketoconazole shampoo and minoxidil are good supporting treatments, but on their own they won't maintain your hair or reverse your loss in the long term.)
    Good luck.
    Thanks for the advice. My hair is very important to me, and if finasteride is the absolute best answer I may be able to talk myself into doing it.

    The time issue is not lost on me at all, I am currently considering all options.

  6. #16
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    mnx, my advice if you start on finasteride would be to start at a lower dose, and take your time working up.

    I started on 1.25mg (5mg generic cut into 4) but got definite side effects after 2-3 months in. This was despite being optimistic and somewhat dismissive about sides. Some people have alleged it's probably in my head, but since they haven't been through the experience they really aren't qualified to speak on it. Might as well ask them to talk about how it feels to be a lesbian or a unicorn.

    I recently learned 0.5mg is almost as effective. Even 0.25mg is still very good so if I was to start again, I'd go with 0.25mg. I may try it again at that dose, but I'm waiting for my libido to fully return. 4 days off it and I'm waiting...

  7. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisis View Post
    mnx, my advice if you start on finasteride would be to start at a lower dose, and take your time working up.

    I started on 1.25mg (5mg generic cut into 4) but got definite side effects after 2-3 months in. This was despite being optimistic and somewhat dismissive about sides. Some people have alleged it's probably in my head, but since they haven't been through the experience they really aren't qualified to speak on it. Might as well ask them to talk about how it feels to be a lesbian or a unicorn.

    I recently learned 0.5mg is almost as effective. Even 0.25mg is still very good so if I was to start again, I'd go with 0.25mg. I may try it again at that dose, but I'm waiting for my libido to fully return. 4 days off it and I'm waiting...
    Did you notice any positive results in that time? A low dose might be good for me. Good luck with your libido, not a side effect I take lightly

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by mnx View Post
    Thanks for the reply. I recently started using melatonin for stress, also started taking multivitamins to help with that. I'll look into 5HTP, thanks.

    I'm basically trying to take a bunch of different natural supplements that have shown some 5 alpha reductase inhibiting ability in various studies, as well as certain nutrients that nourish the hair I do have(msm, silica, PABA etc).

    I intend to update as I go.
    You're very welcome.
    Well, I use melatonin for sleep, but if You use it too often then the body gets used to it and it doesn't work as well as in the starts. Also it can easily leave You groggy the next day.. Thats why I've not switched to 5-HTP. If You use melatonin btw.. they're usually sold in 3mg.. You can cut the tablet in half, even 1,5mg will work well enough.

    I'm doing the same, I've pilled up and made plenty of research on natural DHT inhibitors and hair supplements. I soon plan to include reishi(ganoderma lucidum).. the study on it says it reports up to 50% DHT.. so that plus beta sitosterol, saw palmetto etc.. Its some of my main ingredients. I also use MSM, now about 3,000mg daily, and some silica via horsetail tea. You might want to consider arginine as well - it boosts nitric oxide and blood flow in the folicles.. I use it via protein shakes, now will be 3,500mg+ daily.

    Please do keep me updated, I will too, its good to meet people who actually do the research and have some wisdom to share. Way too many people here have no research background nor solid arguments and are sadly only here to promote that hazardous drug called propecia..

  9. #19
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    Wow, you have the exact same hair loss pattern I had at 28. I'm 31 now. I didn't do anything about it at the time because no noticed it and everywhere else was thick with no receding hairline. I agree it's probably the onset of MPB, especially since you have hairloss in your family.

    All the other posters here seem to have covered everything pretty well. See a hair loss dermatologist and see what they can do for treatment. Make sure you weigh the risks/rewards of drugs like propecia/proscar. I have chosen not to try it because the possibility (I didn't care how small the possibility) of sexual side effects, both long or short term. I started Rogaine this year and it has been slow going and there has been some shedding involved which is something you might want to keep in mind if you start it. It's like a lot of drugs where it makes things worse before it makes things better, but supposedly if you stick with it for 6-8 months. Also it apparently works better when you're younger. The company Rogaine claims 85% of men regrew hair, but I've seen clinical studies that report it's closer to 55%.

    Lastly, start conditioning yourself for what baldness might be like. I rarely see people suggest this on websites. With treatment you may keep your hair looking pretty damn good for many years, but eventually it will fall out if it's in your genes. I wouldn't hold my breath for "the cure" even though there have been some great advances and I don't think it's healthy to pin so much hope on the possibility coming soon, even though I hope it does.

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by mnx View Post
    There are no clinical trials or testimonies proving their success, but there is some science attached to various herbs and their abilities as 5 alpha reductase inhibitors.
    There actually are, a small study on beta sitosterol + saw palmetto has reported a success rate of 60%.

    Also other studies have reported that these natural DHT inhibitors do not show significant nor permanent side effects as with propecia.

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