Catching it early.

[Orca]

Hey guys, just thought I'd share my story.

I'm currently 20 years old, and come from a family of baldies. Both grandfathers have full heads of hair. (my mum's dad's hair has thinned out at the crown, but he's over 80 and enjoyed a full mop until very recently.) My dad however is a different story. Started losing his in his late twenties and is now a full blown norwood 6. As is my uncle on my mums side. My Dad's brothers aren't as bad but are both suffering from hairloss (Norwood 3s), but luckily retained their hair much longer than my father did.

As you can see, it's not looking like good for me!

I noticed some temple hair loss last november. I'd alaways had a pretty wonky hairline, but it seemed my right temple had recessed a fair bit. Being a bit OCD I went straight to the doctor who did a quick check and told me that I have minor temple recession (and maybe some miniturization). Got my bloodwork done which came back normal, and he offered to prescribe me propecia.

My first doctor was very helpful, he pointed me towards propecia and told me about the side-effects and what I could expect from the drug etc. Unfortunately he was just a temp Doctor filling in at my local practice, and my other two experiences with other doctors hasn't been too great. (One actually likened my hairloss to a woman shaving her legs, and didn't want to give me my script for ethical reasons because she saw it as a vanity issue?)

Regardless, I have been on propecia for 4 months and am optimistic. I don't worry about my hairloss anywhere near as much as I used to and I don't check my mirror every day like I used to. I know one day my hairloss is gonna catch up to me but I am hoping to enjoy the majority of my twenties with my hair thanks to propecia. Regardless I am frightened by the prospect of going bald. I am scared people will view me differently. My girlfriend tells me I would look ridiculous bald, and has made comments about preferring guys with a full head of hair. (I haven't told her about my hairloss but it does make me question our relationship)

I would probably put my current Norwood level around a 2.5, and I might have some crown thinning, but I am unsure.
Wearing my hair normally, as you can see, I am still a point where I no-one can really see my hairloss.

Left temple

Right temple

And a couple of crown shots:

Also I'm very sorry about how large my pictures are.

[stratofortress]

Hey man, I think you're a NW2 not 2.5 as of yet. Personally I can't see any crown thinning, but it's difficult to tell in the very early stages.

[Orca]

Thanks Man. I think I'm edging past NW2 a little bit, but not by much. Again maybe I'm just a bit OCD. Yeah the crown thing is hard to tell. Ideally I'd like to see a proper hair specialist but I don't live anywhere near one

[mrblol]

Out of curiosity, before going on fin how many hairs did you notice falling out per day?
Also good luck with your hairloss, wish you the best.

[Orca]

Out of curiosity, before going on fin how many hairs did you notice falling out per day?
Also good luck with your hairloss, wish you the best.

Not very many, although I didn't count. They weren't coming off my head whenever I ran my hand through my hair and my pillow wasn't covered with them in the morning. I think I must have though, my temples definitely recessed.

Thanks for the kind words

[mrblol]

That seems strange that you didn't notice the hairs falling. It may be that you have just developed a mature hairline or are in the process of developing one. Either way, you are being proactive at an early stage and that's a great thing and I wish you nothing but the best, cheers.

[yeahyeahyeah]

I, for one, only have hairs falling out when I comb my hair or run my hand through them. Never in shower or pillow. From that I understand that my hair loss is not, too severe, but the hair line has receded and there is no question about that. It's more about the hair that regrows.

Exactly the same issue for me.

Receeded hairline but thick hair everywhere else.

[mattj]

Your hair honestly looks great. Your have an adult hairline that might not get any worse and if there's any loss at the crown then it's very minor.

Your family history isn't that bad either. Most people will have a relative here and there with hairloss and having a NW6 father doesn't mean you'll progress that far.

[Orca]

Thank you for the kind words I do think at this point I have yet to see any crown loss but have psyched myself out somewhat as hairloss has always been a worry. I know you said that history doesn't matter too much, and I do think in some ways my hairline actually is most like my Dad's dad, but I was at a family meeting recently and barring my grandfathers, not a single man has kept his hair!

I'm going to avoid minox right now, I'm happy enough just keeping what I have.

I think I will continue propecia. I have not had any side effects (apart from a slightly lighter wallet!). Even if 20 years from now I have retained my hair and am one of the lucky ones despite wasting money on propecia I will regret that alot less than if I did nothing and it turned out I was destined to lose my hair. If that makes sense.