21, Balding, Really need some Advice

[carmine93]

So, for the last year or so I've been thinning like crazy. As best as I can tell, it's a very aggressive type of diffuse thinning. I was in denial but this has just consumed my life since October and I had all but given up hope until I came across this forum. So here I am, I want to do something about it but first I'd appreciate some input.

Here's some pics of my hair, my awful, awful hair

http://imgur.com/a/T0yiS

I feel like it's already too late, like I waited too long. Should I even bother with treatments? Is there any hope?

My pillow never has any hairs on it and if I comb my dry hair no hair falls off. It mostly seems to fall off during a shower.

I've looked across this forum (if my condition is not hopeless), it's seems the best option is the big 3. Issue is, I don't know where to even get propecia and the side effects are worrying (like, what exactly is lowered libido?).

Should I maybe buybsome rogain and start on that? Or do I just go straight for the Propecia + Rogaine? If there's any chance to get my hair back, even somewhat, I'm willing to go for it.

I've always been accepting of the fact that I would bald eventually. My dad, and pretty much all my uncles on my dad's side have the exact same thinning pattern, it's just that none of them got hit so young

So guys, thank you for reading this, just getting this out there feels like some relief. I appreciate any advice you can provide. Part of me just wants to shave it all off and be done with it but hey, if there's a chance.

 

[steveo1218]

Your only 21 so non of your folicles will be dead , get on the big 3 and in 6-8 months you'll be fine

 

[Notcoolanymore]

Big 3 is really your best option at this point. That much hair loss at 21 is pretty aggressive. If your hair loss is recent then the chance of recovery is pretty good, but realize that there are no guarantees. You may be a great responder or treatments may make no difference at all. Personally I would give treatments a try. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[TD500]

So, for the last year or so I've been thinning like crazy. As best as I can tell, it's a very aggressive type of diffuse thinning. I was in denial but this has just consumed my life since October and I had all but given up hope until I came across this forum. So here I am, I want to do something about it but first I'd appreciate some input.

Here's some pics of my hair, my awful, awful hair

http://imgur.com/a/T0yiS

I feel like it's already too late, like I waited too long. Should I even bother with treatments? Is there any hope?

My pillow never has any hairs on it and if I comb my dry hair no hair falls off. It mostly seems to fall off during a shower.

I've looked across this forum (if my condition is not hopeless), it's seems the best option is the big 3. Issue is, I don't know where to even get propecia and the side effects are worrying (like, what exactly is lowered libido?).

Should I maybe buybsome rogain and start on that? Or do I just go straight for the Propecia + Rogaine? If there's any chance to get my hair back, even somewhat, I'm willing to go for it.

I've always been accepting of the fact that I would bald eventually. My dad, and pretty much all my uncles on my dad's side have the exact same thinning pattern, it's just that none of them got hit so young

So guys, thank you for reading this, just getting this out there feels like some relief. I appreciate any advice you can provide. Part of me just wants to shave it all off and be done with it but hey, if there's a chance.

So since notcool answered the main part of your question.

Low Libido or low sex drive in essence is like not wanting to have sexy time as much. You can buy rogaine now and use it while you either A) get a prescription from a doctor/gp or B) Order it online without a prescription.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

Basically listen to what notcool says, and I would also advise buzzing your hair. The tremendously thick hair at the sides and back of your head only exacerbates the thinning to the naked eye. I know it's not something to be taken lightly. You, like me, have probably had beautiful curly hair your whole life, and loved to have a longer hairstyle. But there comes a time when you have to give it up, and when balding sets in, that's usually a good time. I found shaving my head to be freeing, and the style has actually grown on my (pardon the pun). I got a lot of compliments on it when I did it for the first time. Try it out, and you might surprise even yourself. It also makes applying treatment to the scalp much easier too. I know it's a difficult plunge to take, but it's one that's necessary. People told me "Love the cut, man" or "You look pretty good with short hair" rather than quietly, or maybe not so quietly, thinking "getting pretty thin up there, bro." That's just my two cents. Good luck

 

[carmine93]

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it. As I mentioned in my post, I seem to have the same exact pattern of loss as my dad and my uncles. They have all thinned on the crown but somewhat maintained a hairline.

I'm going to walmart today to buy rogaine, and I'm going to look into the best place to get propecia. I'll also probably buzz it down as kid suggested because it looks awful as is.

Also a few more questions:

Is buying propecia from the site linked on this site a good idea?

2. Does propecia and/ or rogaine have any effect on acne?

3. If I was overweight before (and still somewhat out of shape), are the chances of gyno greater?

 

[steveo1218]

I'm not sure what the science is with finasteride gyno , as a former steroid user you get gyno from excess estrogen (female hormone) now you'd think filling your body with testosterone wouldn't give you gyno lol ! But your body increases more estrogen to try to level up with the excess test. Dht isn't testosterone or estrogen. And as far as I know finasteride doesn't trigger your body to create estrogen like test. I really can't see how you can get gyno from finasteride ? Does anyone know ?

- - - Updated - - -

Think I'll get on the tamoxifen tomorrow - as a little worried gyno is worst than being fukcing bald !

 

[carmine93]

I see, and that's true. I've read all the side effect normally disappear if you cease use do worde case scenerio I stop. I'm also looking at nizoral, any recommedations on the best shampoo?

I do wonder if I even have ebough hair to pull off a buzzed look though. I'm afraid I'll just look balder if I buzz it.

- - - Updated - - -

I added another album, this time with my hair just after a shower. I combed it back and then forward to show the extrnt of the hair loss.

http://www.imgur.com/a/WtBy0

I took aome with flash, some without

Is the pattern of loss weird or something? As someone mentioned it does seem very aggressive, probably unhelped by the amount of stress I had recently.

As I said before, I wonder if there's even enough hair to bother with a buzzed cut

 

[TD500]

At that point I would buzz it also, not only will it help with the application of rogaine it will also make you look better. I think people say its aggressive because your only 21 and said this has happened within the last year? Thats pretty intense any before pictures? I'm pretty sure the site linked here is safe to use to buy propecia. I dont buy mine online, if you have a costco near you can get the generic for like $23 for a 3 month supply, but you need a prescription.

 

[carmine93]

when I say it happened over a year I do so because I only really noticed it around October. For example, ever since then it hasn't really gotten worse, as far as I can tell.

My pillow has no hairs on it, when I shampoo is when I mostly see a few longer hairs on my hands. If I hust comb my hair when it's dry, only 1 or 2 hairs Come out.

Looking at pictures, I would assume it's been thinning out for about a year or two. I know for sure when I was 16 or so my head was full, but that's only because that was the only pic I could find that shows my top. Going by pictures of me from the front, I'd say I've been thinning for a good 3 years maybe (but again, the problem is that it's the top, as my hairline hasn't changed since I was like 17).

I used to have my hair really long and it was only until I decided to cut it off that it became thinner. The sides still grow but the top doesn't or its not as dense. I want to buzz it but I'm worried I'll have so little hair that I may as well shave.

Can a regular family doctor prescripe propecia? Although honestly I'd rather not go to the doctor (I hate going to the doctors) and I'm super hesistant about jumping on finasteride. i kind of want to give Rogaine a try for a few months and then see what happens.

It's all just real tough.

 

[TD500]

when I say it happened over a year I do so because I only really noticed it around October. For example, ever since then it hasn't really gotten worse, as far as I can tell.

My pillow has no hairs on it, when I shampoo is when I mostly see a few longer hairs on my hands. If I hust comb my hair when it's dry, only 1 or 2 hairs Come out.

Looking at pictures, I would assume it's been thinning out for about a year or two. I know for sure when I was 16 or so my head was full, but that's only because that was the only pic I could find that shows my top. Going by pictures of me from the front, I'd say I've been thinning for a good 3 years maybe (but again, the problem is that it's the top, as my hairline hasn't changed since I was like 17).

I used to have my hair really long and it was only until I decided to cut it off that it became thinner. The sides still grow but the top doesn't or its not as dense. I want to buzz it but I'm worried I'll have so little hair that I may as well shave.

Can a regular family doctor prescripe propecia? Although honestly I'd rather not go to the doctor (I hate going to the doctors) and I'm super hesistant about jumping on finasteride. i kind of want to give Rogaine a try for a few months and then see what happens.

It's all just real tough.

Yes GP's can prescribe it. You don't need to go to the doctors you can get it online without a prescription. The majority of the people highly recommend finasteride as it actually can stop the DHT from attacking your hair. Rogaine is fine, but the dht will still be ravaging your hair. Up to you man.

 

[carmine93]

When people talk about side affects, they're just possibilities right? Like, it's not guaranteed that your libido will decrease

 

[TD500]

Some people don't get any sides at all, but I will say this though that it seems like a majority on here at least experience low libido, watery semen, ball pain and most say it goes away after a couple months. Even myself I have low libido which I don't contribute to finasteride, but I do have watery semen which I never had prior to starting finasteride. My opinion is to try out see if any sides occur and decide if you want to stop it or push on to see if they pass. Try not to think about it too much it will psyche you out.

 

[carmine93]

Alright so I made an appointment with a derm for Tuesday. I expect him to tell me the same thing you guys have but it never hurts to just get checkes out anyways.

Whatvexactly should I asm him? When it comes to prescription do I just tell him I want Proscar?

Also, does finasteride have any effect in the ability to excercise? If you had "man boobs" at one point (due to being a bigger guy back then) does that increase the chance of gyno?

Can finasteride alone help maintain My hair/regrow some or should I just jump to rogaine simultaneously?

 

[TD500]

Ya ask for the 5mg and tell him you will cut it. Or if you just get it go for the generic at Costco its cheap like $21 for 3 month supply. Not sure about the gyno or exercise, I don't think so though. finasteride can help maintain and some get regrowth, i would jump on minoxidil also in your case.