When Should I Switch From finasteride To Duta?

[Goofinground]

Hello

24 male, here, nw1 to nw2 took me roughly 4-5 years without noticing, i began finasteride + minoxidil 10 weeks ago, starting shedding heavily the first week and since (never had that male pattern baldness shed prior) and iam definetly nw3 if not worse now (NW2 - NW3+ on 10 weeks finasteride + minoxidil)

I can post pictures in a PM i guess

Needless to say, finasteride is simply not strong enough for me, so my question is, would it be a good idea to switch to Duta? or is it to soon? should i just give up and discontinue treatment and save me the money?

I had no sides whatsoever though (only a little ball ache, similiar to one i had as a early teen which the doctors told me were due to my body increasing T production - would explain my crazy gym gaines the last couple of months)

 

[jetlife1]

Same thing happened to me when I first started finasteride. Around the 3 month mark, like yourself, my hairline had receded a lot. I began taking the drug with only minor recession. I was also shedding and I never really shed before taking finasteride.

However, I decided to stay consistent with taking it unlike most guys who get scared off of it because of shedding. It paid off. My hair is now thicker and more abundant than when I first started after 2+ years on it. All of the shedded hair eventually grew back thicker. My hairline has filled in too. I have pictures to prove this but don't feel comfortable putting them on here.

 

[Goofinground]

.@jetlife1

You have no idea how good that answer felt - thank you!

Can i ask when you started seeing progress?

No worries about the pictures - i myself feel a bit uncomfortable putting pictures to public places - if you someday want to share, please PM me, if not its all good

 

[jetlife1]

Glad I could help a bit man!

Around the 6 month mark I got a haircut and noticed by hair quality was improving and getting more thick; I was probably back around baseline. However, most of my new growth/gains didn't come until after a year and even some more after two. I think this is just cause hair growth/cycles take a while. It definitely varies from person to person though. I would say that my hair continues to improve with time on finasteride but I don't want to jinx it so I'm knocking on wood lol.

Keep in mind that this is my personal experience, so it is not guaranteed that you will have the same experience but I think your chances are good. I believe shedding is a good sign and means the drug is working. Also, I never used minoxidil.

 

[Goofinground]

That sounds awesome - hope you continue seeing gains!

i know that experiences from person, but good to actually hear from someone with the same experiences i find that, on forum stories, either 1. people were shedding prior to finasteride or 2. people havent really "reported" back....

I only started minoxidil, because i would try to "fertilize" some of my vellus hair at my temples - i dont know, but it made sense in my head

 

[JHCL1990]

Not even 3 months? Gotta give it like 8 at the least. These medications cause a hormonal change/imbalance which initially causes a telogen effluvium (shed) until your body balances everything out. When you want to start dutasteride is when you've been on finasteride for a while (1 year or longer) and you notice your hair getting worse again. dutasteride will cause an even bigger shed.