I really need some honest advice because I feel stuck right now.
Background:
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I started losing hair at 17, and it’s been about 2 years now
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I’ve been on topical minoxidil 5% since then (not always consistent recently)
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Around 8–9 months ago, I realized minoxidil alone isn’t enough
Current hair condition:
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Noticeable hairline recession
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Around Norwood 2–3
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I also feel like I’m diffusely thinning, not just the hairline
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Overall density has gone down and styling is getting harder
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The scalp and the hairs feel really dry to me, i barely feel any moisture in them.
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I use tugain 5 percent and ketomac shampoo if that helps
Finasteride experience:
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Tried topical finasteride first
→ Got strong side effects:-
Libido went to almost zero
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Erectile function basically zero
→ Sides went away in ~2–3 weeks after stopping
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Then tried oral finasteride (August–January, on and off)
→ Sides were less severe than topical, but still present:-
Reduced libido
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Erection strength dropped to ~60%
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Occasional “limp” feeling → very frustrating
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I quit finasteride in February, but I still feel like I have lingering side effects
Current situation:
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I’m now in a relationship with a girl I really like, which makes this worse mentally
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Hair loss is continuing (recession + thinning)
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Sexual side effects (even mild) are stressing me out a lot
Lifestyle (honestly bad):
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Junk food, processed food
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Almost no protein intake
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No exercise
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No sunlight
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Bad sleep schedule
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Also not using minoxidil consistently right now, its usually like once a day and then i skip 2 days(i know thats wrong but will improving consistency will help me ?)
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(No smoking/drinking though)
I know this is terrible, and I’m planning to fix all of it starting now.
What I want:
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I don’t expect to fully stop hair loss, but I want to slow it down as much as possible
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At the same time, I cannot afford sexual side effects right now
My questions:
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Should I retry finasteride (topical or oral) in a different way (lower dose, frequency, microdosing, etc.)?
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Are there alternatives to finasteride that actually work?
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How much impact can fixing lifestyle (diet, sleep, gym, sunlight) realistically have on hair loss?
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What would be the safest protocol for someone like me who seems sensitive to fin?
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Has anyone experienced persistent sides after stopping fin, and did they fully recover?
I’m honestly feeling pretty stuck between:
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Wanting to save my hair
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And wanting to feel normal physically and sexually
Any advice, experiences, or protocols would really help me
Thanks for your time.
