Diagnosis options?

[swishbish33]

I am sorry for having two posts on the front page, but I really want to jump on this hair loss thing before it gets out of control.

Here is my other thread, with pictures.

Other than a dermatologist, are there other "hair loss experts" that could diagnose my hair loss and recommend an option? The two dermatologists I saw basically said "you could take Propecia if you want, but the side effects could be nasty," which really didn't help me because they didn't offer any advice on my hair loss, such as whether it was advancing, etc.

The posters in the thread above have been extremely helpful, but there seems to be a division in treatments. Some say minoxidil only, others champion Propecia. Frankly, I'm scared of the side effects of Propecia (shedding, breast tenderness/enlargement, testicle pain, etc), and I want to know as for certain as possible that Propecia is right for me. Also, my family/girlfriend and I disagree on the advancement of my hair loss. So, I'm hoping that maybe there is another diagnosis option that could help me. Thanks guys.

 

[Aplunk1]

A trichologist is someone who specializes in hair conditions.

 

[swishbish33]

Ok, thanks. Two more quick questions, if I may:

1. I lose 5-10 hairs on the sink when I blow dry. If I comb it through, I lose another 5-10 or so. I lose 5-10 when I towel dry my hair. If run my hands through my hair, I lose 3-5 hairs. Is this abnormal? Should hair come out that easily?

2. Sometimes I see short hairs in the sink after blowdrying, or in my hands when I run it through my hair. Is this a sign on male pattern baldness, or just hairs that fell out prematurely?

Thanks guys.

 

[DonaldAnderson]

Ok, thanks. Two more quick questions, if I may:

1. I lose 5-10 hairs on the sink when I blow dry. If I comb it through, I lose another 5-10 or so. I lose 5-10 when I towel dry my hair. If run my hands through my hair, I lose 3-5 hairs. Is this abnormal? Should hair come out that easily?

2. Sometimes I see short hairs in the sink after blowdrying, or in my hands when I run it through my hair. Is this a sign on male pattern baldness, or just hairs that fell out prematurely?

Thanks guys.

1. No it is not abnormal. Blow drying damages hair.
2. Hairs falling out prematurely it sounds like. It is not necessarily a sign of male pattern baldness.

 

[powersam]

hair falling out is not a sign of male pattern baldness. hair not growing back after it falls out, or growing back much thinner, is.

 

[luke77]

Basically the advice you have been given is pretty much all you are going to get. It looks like you have male pattern baldness. You should definitely start on minoxidil, and after that there are a bunch of choices. Nobody can tell you what propecia is going to do to you for certain; you need to decide whether it's worth it to risk it. There are a ton of other topicals that you can try, some with more backing evidence than others. Other doctors aren't going to tell you anything different than what you have already been told, because there is really nothing else to say.