What norwood am I? And what can I do?

[MyLife]

AGE: 23
Ethnicity: Asian

Regimen: n/a

What I know about : Finasteride in various dosage, Minoxidil, Nizoral Shampoo
"recommended regimen" I know of : proscar 5mg (cut into 4ths of 1.25mg) / Minoxidil (Rogaine 5% Foam) / Nizoral 1% Shampoo

Problem:
I was planning on jumping on finasteride but my peers have told me I shouldn't as it isn't "too bad / hardly noticeable" as of right now. That and the fact that over the years I've been monitoring finasteride I've noticed the risk for sexual side effects has been gradually being increased on the labels which raises many red flags for me. Also, DHT levels crashing and possible depression is something I do not think would be a great thing for me. Simply because I experience performance anxiety at times as I tend to overthink and I'm predisposed to the side effects due to my overthinking. So I'm laying off of it. I tried Rogaine 5% foam for about two months and it was giving me constant headaches and I developed really bad eyebags.

Question:
How bad off am I? Am I at the NW3 phase? Should I just leave it alone or?

Family History:
After menopause my mother is experiencing diffused hair loss on a mild level.
Father passed away at the age of 46 with what appears to be a norwood 2-3 at worst (deceased)
Mother's brother #1 has maintained a full head of hair but is now starting to develop bald spots on vertex at the age of 55.
Mother's brother #2 has been at norwood 3v-4 since 35 or so
Mother's father had a norwood 2 up till his death
My father has 6 brothers and most of them are 50-65 and had a great head of hair 'till recently.

These are what I know of.

1 front without hair pulled
2 top of head with hair pulled
3 left side
4 right side

 

[zzzzz]

male pattern baldness is progressive... just cause it doesn't look bad now doesn't mean it won't in the future if you notice your hairline is still receeding. Propecia/finasteride is mainly preventative when it comes to further loss rather than the purpose of regrowth.

Finasteride sides are rare and minor, and not permanent. There is no harm in trying it, you can always quit if you get sides

 

[AddictedtoSoftDrinks]

No where near a Norwood 3. Looks like a very tough and strong Norwood 2 or it could just be a mature hairline. The mature hairline will pretty much stay that way for the rest of your life. Look up Jordan Knight from new kids on the block. He has a mature hairline.

 

[MyLife]

No where near a Norwood 3. Looks like a very tough and strong Norwood 2 or it could just be a mature hairline. The mature hairline will pretty much stay that way for the rest of your life. Look up Jordan Knight from new kids on the block. He has a mature hairline.

Well, you can't really see but I have miniaturization along my hairline so I'm pretty sure it's male pattern baldness

 

[AddictedtoSoftDrinks]

Well, you can't really see but I have miniaturization along my hairline so I'm pretty sure it's male pattern baldness

Well the good news is you caught it and with treatments you should be able to maintain what you currently have for a long time.

 

[MyLife]

Well the good news is you caught it and with treatments you should be able to maintain what you currently have for a long time.

Well thank you for your response, I appreciate the feedback. Your posts are pretty encouraging too, it made my day.
Thank you

- - - Updated - - -

Can I get more opinions on what norwood I'm at?

 

[Justarandomname]

NW2.5 by the looks of it. Just watch your hairline. Take a picture every 6 months and see if it has progressed any further, if not you most likely have your mother's father's hairline. Looking at your mother's father is generally a strong indication of where you'll be. Unfortunately for me my mother's father was around a NW4-5A by 19. I'm 15 and my doctor has told me recently that my hairline IS receding. Let's just hope there's a miracle before then, eh?

 

[MyLife]

NW2.5 by the looks of it. Just watch your hairline. Take a picture every 6 months and see if it has progressed any further, if not you most likely have your mother's father's hairline. Looking at your mother's father is generally a strong indication of where you'll be. Unfortunately for me my mother's father was around a NW4-5A by 19. I'm 15 and my doctor has told me recently that my hairline IS receding. Let's just hope there's a miracle before then, eh?

The whole, "your mother's father's hairline is a good indicator at where you'll be" thing is kind of a myth. A common misconception but thanks for your response. 2.5 Hmm, I guess I can see that.

 

[TransientHair]

Looks like a Norwood 2.

 

[stop dht]

Looks like norwood 1.75 with no diffuse thinning dats good

 

[Justarandomname]

The whole, "your mother's father's hairline is a good indicator at where you'll be" thing is kind of a myth. A common misconception but thanks for your response. 2.5 Hmm, I guess I can see that.

All I'm saying is that it's sometimes the case. Well, in my family anyway. Also, given your family history of male pattern baldness, you shouldn't be expecting it any time soon. I wouldn't worry at all until a bald patch starts to appear. That way you know for sure you've got it. Then you can give finasteride a go.

 

[MyLife]

All I'm saying is that it's sometimes the case. Well, in my family anyway. Also, given your family history of male pattern baldness, you shouldn't be expecting it any time soon. I wouldn't worry at all until a bald patch starts to appear. That way you know for sure you've got it. Then you can give finasteride a go.

Dang, unfortunately my grandfather is no longer with me so I ca't really find out his exact pattern. Same with my father.