Description
Sorry, I wont post my photos also because I dont have any to show
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share my hair loss journey. I started taking 1.25 mg of finasteride (by splitting a 5 mg pill into quarters) and applying 2% topical minoxidil every day. After a few months, I noticed that my morning wood was gone and my mood had become more depressed.
After 6 months on this regimen, I decided to lower the dose. Following a few weeks off, I restarted finasteride at 1.25 mg every other day. Initially, the side effects seemed reduced: I had mild morning wood and my mood was quite stable. However, after another 6 months, the side effects worsened again.
For context, I already had a grade 2 varicocele and a history of depressive periods before starting the treatment.
My varicocele worsened, and it suddenly became really hot down there
I began feeling chronically fatigued. I was highly stressed due to university, but I knew something else was wrong. Even during my workouts, I experienced severe brain fog—it felt like I was living in a dream. I’ve always been someone who dismisses side effects, so I really don’t think this was a nocebo effect.
Anyway, I have now been off finasteride for two months (though I kept the minoxidil), and my erections are completely restored and also my varicoles pain has completely disappeared. I feel much more energetic and have a clearer mind.
Now I am wondering what to do next. I don’t want to lose my hair, but at the same time, the side effects were unbearable. I’m considering making my own topical finasteride by crushing pills and mixing them into my minoxidil, or perhaps getting back on oral finasteride at a much lower dosage, like 0.25 mg daily.