17yo, quitting finasteride for minoxidil,

[Ben13738]

I'm 17 and have been taking finasteride for 2 days, yes I know it's not very long. Although I haven't experienced side effects as of yet, 2 days isn't probably enough to experience sides although. I've been thinking about the possible sides I could get and thought my hair loss isn't that aggressive to risk affecting my sexual function, even though I'm not sexually active. So I'm thinking of quitting finasteride and just sticking with minoxidil, I know it works as just as a bandaid fix and not a long term option. I may consider finasteride again in the future once I'm older. So what minoxidil should I take? Liquid or foam? Which products have been working for others. Lastly, it's mainly my front that is thinning, although my crown is minimal. I know minoxidil is mainly designed for the crown. But is it possibly to atleast maintain what I have on the front, if i can maintain what I have on the front until I look into finasteride again I'd be happy.

Also, is there anything else I could use as well as minoxidil?

PICS IF NEEDED:

 

[merco67]

If you're 17 then you have aggressive male pattern baldness, so I would stay with finasteride if you want to prevent further balding. Minoxidil is simply a growth stimulant. You'll want to use both if you can, so keep using finasteride unless you notice any side effects. Oh, I'd definitely go for foam if possible it's a much simpler application.

 

[Ben13738]

If you're 17 then you have aggressive male pattern baldness, so I would stay with finasteride if you want to prevent further balding. Minoxidil is simply a growth stimulant. You'll want to use both if you can, so keep using finasteride unless you notice any side effects. Oh, I'd definitely go for foam if possible it's a much simpler application.

what I mean by aggressive mbp is that it hasn't receded much in the last year or so. Also, I'm worried I will experience permanent side effects, I.e. Infertility, permanent impotence etc..

 

[merco67]

So it's not really worsened in a year and you've only been taking treatment for the last 2 days? That's a strange case. Your pictures definitely look like your balding at the sides.
I was worried initially about the side effects too and stuck to minoxidil, but I've been on finasteride for 6 months now no side effects so far. I took the risk (which is fairly small anyway) after my situation worsened.

 

[Ben13738]

Btw, I currently am in the waiting list to see a dermatologist, probably about 4 or 5 months, this is because he's the only demeratologist near me. Should I try minoxidil, until I see the derm and ask about finasteride and see what he has to say about finasteride side effects?

 

[Ben13738]

Yeah you should start minoxidil, there is no risks in taking it really.

do you mean quit finasteride and start minoxidil, or stay on finasteride and add minoxidil..?

 

[Ben13738]

Personally I would do both but finasteride is more important. You have a good head of hair, finasteride will help you keep what you have. You should start before it's too late. But if side effects scare you that much wait for the Dermatologists advice

If I do stick with it could it potentially ruin my development, because tbh although I have hair arms, armpits, legs etc.. Im not sure I'm completely done with puberty. That's what I'm worried about.

 

[Pray The Bald Away]

If I do stick with it could it potentially ruin my development, because tbh although I have hair arms, armpits, legs etc.. Im not sure I'm completely done with puberty. That's what I'm worried about.

What specific parts of pubertal developement are you worried about?

 

[Ben13738]

What specific parts of pubertal developement are you worried about?

Nothing speicific really, just feel like I haven't finished with puberty yet. My dad is quite hairy and can grow a beard easily, I get a few whiskers after a few weeks.

 

[Pray The Bald Away]

Nothing speicific really, just feel like I haven't finished with puberty yet. My dad is quite hairy and can grow a beard easily, I get a few whiskers after a few weeks.

Finasteride will hinder beard development but its up to you if head hair is more important. Beards develope until around 25-26. You may be NW5 by this point.

 

[Ben13738]

Finasteride will hinder beard development but its up to you if head hair is more important. Beards develope until around 25-26. You may be NW5 by this point.

Yes hair is more important to me, but is this the only impact finasteride will have on my body, I'm not too sure. I wouldn't wait until 25 or 26 to start finasteride that's for sure, I was thinking 19 or 20.

 

[Pray The Bald Away]

Yes hair is more important to me, but is this the only impact finasteride will have on my body, I'm not too sure. I wouldn't wait until 25 or 26 to start finasteride that's for sure, I was thinking 19 or 20.

Penile development at your age is almost assuredly finished. So you're okay from that angle. One major area of concern is height. Your epiphyseal plates may not close until you turn 19. Taking finasteride will increase estrogen 15%, resulting in the premature closure of these plates. This means it may stunt any potential height growth you have coming. You might want to wait till 19 depending upon how tall you already are.

 

[Ben13738]

Penile development at your age is almost assuredly finished. So you're okay from that angle. One major area of concern is height. Your epiphyseal plates may not close until you turn 19. Taking finasteride will increase estrogen 15%, resulting in the premature closure of these plates. This means it may stunt any potential height growth you have coming. You might want to wait till 19 depending upon how tall you already are.

Tbh, i don't think I'll grow any taller, my family are all small, we're a family of midgets lol. I'm probably the tallest in my family and I'm only like 5 10 maybe, if that.