dek said:
Will going on minoxidil and stopping use be worse for my hair than never starting it?
After extended use and then stopping you will lose a little more than if you had not started, but after a few weeks/months it will return to a position similar to that of how you would have been without minoxidil. See yellow line in the simplified graph below.
dek said:
Also, is propecia only available by prescription?
You can purchase propecia without a prescription from various online sources.
dek said:
What about the shampoo that I'm supposed to use, is that available at a store?
Nizoral (with 2% Ketoconazole)
Nizoral (with 1% Ketoconazole)
Nutrogena T/Sal
Nutrogena T/Gel
These can all be of benefit when fighting hairloss.
Nizoral is the shampoo choice and the third part in the 'big 3'
Without knowing where you are it's hard to know if it is avaliable in your local store, it's freely available in some countries, only 1% OTC in others and not for sale at all in a few.
dek said:
Finally, I am 22 and is there any evidence that age plays any part in the sexual side effects of propecia? Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me!
I would think if you are 22 and have a giant shlong you may be less prone to sexual side effects, but to be honest that's just a guess.
Overall sexual side effects run at about 2% (according to the manufacturer, but it may be higher) in most people these subside with continued use.