Male Pattern Baldness

[Christine]

I have seen no benefit myself after 6 months of Finasteride 5mg. Someone once told me that it took her 8 years

I suppose that puts my "16 months and not much progress" into perspective! My hair is thin and on the "can just about get away with it" threshold, provided I'm not having a bad hair day where it all goes in different directions, at which point my scalp is much too visible.

I think finasteride has made some difference as those days are rarer now, but when they happen, it still looks as bad as ever.

I'm a bit curious as I keep seeing new hairs appear that are too big and dark for vellus hair, but over 90% of them never develop into anything more interesting, either staying as they are or disappearing again. Then again, the only bit I can see easily myself is my hairline at the front, which is apparently the last thing that's affected, if at all.

One of the usual recommendations is to combine it with the hideously expensive minoxidil, which I tried for all of a few days before discovering I'm allergic to the bloody stuff: my eyelids aged about 40 years within the space of 2-3 days. Fortunately they recovered, which I've heard isn't always the case.

Sigh... why has my body got to be so relentlessly uncooperative with everything I do?

[Jane_D_C]

2013 Update

I have a little more hair on the crown now, but no re-growth at all at the front – but then the stuff at the front disappeared at least 10 years before I transitioned, probably more.

Jane x.

[Ice Maiden]

The photo of you looking so glamourous in that new wig though Jane - My mum had thin hair and always wore wigs she loved em' :)x

[Rachael Karen]

Hello girls, long time no speak......sorry for that..
I have been on 5mg Finasteride for 6 months now after being on 1mg Finasteride in the form of Propecia.
The 5mg Finasteride (£6.85 from pharmacy on private prescription)is progressing a lot better than the 1mg and is a lot cheaper than Propecia (£90 for 3months from boots).

Dr Bouman from Notts GIC suggested this prescription on a letter of update to my GP.

My crown is thickening and the £2 coin bald spot is now filling with hair........Fingers crossed this is the start of something big..

[Steffi]

Dutasteride is better by 20% than Finasteride. Exactly the same mechanism of action but Dutasteride also hits a second tier of testosterone-to-DHT converter sites and thus achieves 93" DHT reduction.
The original Dutasteride "Avodart" is about £70 per month but there are now the generics Dutas and.....I've forgotten ..... but they go for about £25 per month and can be found on Inhouse Pharmacy who are a reliable supplier