very early stages; what is the best course of action for the future?

[corvidae]

Around a year ago, I noticed a big bald patch on my head. No hair within it, just plain bald, protruding out like a scratch from my vertex. It really worried me and I didn't understand it. Made an appointment at the dermatologist and, by that time, it had already grown back like nothing was there. I figured it was just completely stress triggered, as I was very stressed at the time with several job interviews and college. Paid no mind to it.
A few weeks ago, I went to my doctor noticing a bald spot/thinning, really only visible at specific angles/times on the vertex. It had been there for around 2 months bothering me. He said it was probably male pattern baldness (no tests given). I am 23 years old.

Right now, it is fairly confined. It's on the vertex, with not even a noticeably receding hairline. My hair is actually still pretty thick for the most part, except in the isolated area.

So I am wondering -- if I want to keep my hair for as long as possible, what is the most effective course of action from here? I have no real hair LOSS, but some isolated hair thinning.

 

[xRedStaRx]

Telogen Effluvium or AA.

It comes and goes.

 

[zzzzz]

if you truly have male pattern baldness, it would be finasteride only 1mg or 1.25mg, and maybe nizoral twice weekly if you want but that isn't really necessary. Nizoral if used almost every day will ruin your hair

 

[corvidae]

if you truly have male pattern baldness, it would be finasteride only 1mg or 1.25mg, and maybe nizoral twice weekly if you want but that isn't really necessary. Nizoral if used almost every day will ruin your hair

does it grow back, or does it simply stop spreading? Even if it were to stop spreading, that would probably be okay.
Also, is Rogaine on the effected spots overkill? If Rogaine returns the thin spot to its natural state, should I quit the Rogaine and just keep on finasteride?

Telogen Effluvium or AA.

I proposed this to my doctor. He disagreed. It was an ongoing problem in different levels for around a year at that point.
It probably wasn't AA because at this point, hair was thinning, not falling out in big chunks.
I thought it was a bit odd as male pattern baldness does not seem like a common occurance in my family. I can only think of one family member out of ~20 that might have had it, but I think that happened ~40 years old for him. My grandparents ~65 years old is when they started losing hair, and never lost all of it.
Should I ask for a test to confirm?

 

[SayifDoit]

Could you please take a picture so I have better understanding of your hair loss.
From what you've said it honestly doesn't sound like male pattern baldness, there is a chance it isn't.

What is your history of male pattern baldness in your family like? Most importantly your dads current state.

 

[zzzzz]

It might regrow but it is more likely that you will just maintain. Only half of people get noticeable regrowth. If you are in early stages it doesn't really matter anyway. Rogaine is useless for someone in very early stages of treatment, because it is a hair regrowth treatment and not a hair loss prevention treatment. It does nothing to slow down hair loss, and if you already pretty much have a full head of hair there is nothing really to regrow