Just Minoxidil, worth it?

[BornIn89]

I plan on taking biotin and MSM supplements and using Nizoral 1% a few times a week but is it worth taking Minoxidil if I'll never take propecia? I'd never take propecia because of the risk of sexual side effects. Does minoxidil have any potential serious/sexual side effects?

 

[Hoppi]

Many people feel similarly. There are a number of ways to put a regimen together without finasteride. Many people use purely topicals, I am focusing on hormonal balance and tackling inflammation, and possibly very mild 5ar inhibition, but it's too early to declare success or failure or anything

So many things appear to affect hair loss it's insane!

Beta-sitosterol is like a natural and less risky finasteride, but then it's also usually not as effective. Or you could go on a very low finasteride dose or something.

Tis up to you really!

Hoppi

 

[BornIn89]

It's a shame that the best chance people have against fighting hairloss could possibly have life ruining side effects. I'd never even take a mild dose of it. I'm looking to slow/halt the loss without taking any risks at all (I even chose to use 1% version of Nizoral as I read the 2% is harsh on the liver). I'm just not sure if minoxidil is even worth me trying or if it's safe enough.

Edit: does Beta-sitosterol have any of the sexual side effects that finasteride can have?

 

[Hoppi]

From what I can tell there are many ways to tackle hair loss while still being kind to the body. I mean look at my regimen! Pretty much everything I am currently taking (other than maybe Nizoral) is brilliant for the body!

My goals as I said are optimizing my testosterone and SHBG levels (keeping estrogen and DHT low but optimized), reducing inflammation down to pretty much nothing systemically, and yeah just general hormonal balance!

If you have too much T, it all gets converted to DHT in your scalp. If you have too LITTLE testosterone, your body makes a whole bunch of DHT to compensate, as far as I (and many very intelligent people studying this) can tell! This also explains why older guys bald.

Inflammation is bad too, as is an inaccurate thyroid.

Most of my current views come from someone called Brian Simonis, you can Google him

If you want to tackle it without finasteride (or beta-sitosterol), then I think your options are pretty much down to a fantastic topical regimen, or something like I'm doing!

finasteride doesn't have sides in everyone and can be fine, but yes I understand your concern

Edit: does Beta-sitosterol have any of the sexual side effects that finasteride can have?

Yeah but apparently they're much less likely to be permament or anything, I think it balances the body a bit better than finasteride. It's also milder I believe.

 

[legion00]

you'll probably get some benefit from minoxidil alone, but not nearly as much as if you were taking finasteride as well.

I'm looking to slow/halt the loss without taking any risks at all (I even chose to use 1% version of Nizoral as I read the 2% is harsh on the liver). I'm just not sure if minoxidil is even worth me trying or if it's safe enough.

everything has a risk of side effects. even aspirin. don't be such a pussy.

 

[BornIn89]

you'll probably get some benefit from minoxidil alone, but not nearly as much as if you were taking finasteride as well.

I'm looking to slow/halt the loss without taking any risks at all (I even chose to use 1% version of Nizoral as I read the 2% is harsh on the liver). I'm just not sure if minoxidil is even worth me trying or if it's safe enough.

everything has a risk of side effects. even aspirin. don't be such a pussy.

You're right, but risks from medicines that you would take for a particular disease/condition is completely different than the risk of becoming impotent because of vanity. We're losing our hair and we want to stop it because we prefer how we look with hair, right? If you think the risk is worth it then you take it, I don't, so I won't. Calling me a "pussy" because I won't take a pill which seems to cause sexual side effects in a highish % of people is just childish.

 

[youungster]

what are the possible side effects of taking Minoxidil (Regaine extra)?

 

[BornIn89]

Also, I read minoxidil is toxic to cats, is it toxic to dogs too?

 

[Fender89]

Hey man.. some sife affects of minoxidil. Not all might be true, these are just what people say:

scalp irritation
water retention in face

: rapid heart beat
dizziness
shortness of breath

also some can get pretty intense shedding of their hair when they start using it.

Personally, i have been on minoxidil for 4 months now and i can honestly say i've had not one side effect. So obviously not everyone gets them all

Oh one more thing though. Some say minoxidil can cause wrinkles, or premature wrinkles. Whatever. Only time will tell if i go wrinkly prematurely lol. The way i see it, if your careful, don't get it on your face, moisturise your face if it ever becomes dry, you should be alright. Again, the wrinle thing isn't proven i don't think, could be people being paranoid. Just telling you everything i know.

Seriously though, i've been on it and havn't experienced any side effect. i didn't even shed any hairs lol. I use spectral DNC by the way. Hope your informed now man

 

[youungster]

thanks for that buddy! you had any regrowth yet? im just waiting on my minoxidil arriving.. looking for some regrowth at the temples.

thanks again bud

 

[Fender89]

no problem man!

hmm regrowth. It's hard to say. I think it's regrew some in my temples and possibly the back. I'm more using it for maintanence rather that regrowth. Alot of people probs think it won't help to maintain but i may aswell try haha. Seems to be going good so far. pretty sure my hair hasn't gotten any worse in the last 4 months haha.

Good luck with it dude.