Frontal receding - finasteride making it worse

[Dench57]

I've been receding at the front for the last 2-3 years above the temples, very gradually. 3 months ago I started on Finasteride and it's accelerated the frontal hairloss, I know because I get terrible itchy/tingly scalp around my hairline in areas that have begun to thin, when I've never had any itchiness in all my previous years of hairloss. I don't have any thinning on top the top or crown, just above both my temples. Before I took finasteride I was prepared for the sexual side effects, the brain fog, even the shedding. I was NOT prepared for this well known "DHT itch" appearing as a reaction, which basically reminds me all day every day that DHT is attacking my hair follicles. Most people experience this itch BEFORE taking finasteride, I'm the other way round.

Has anyone with a receding hairline like myself ever had a similar adverse reaction to Finasteride? I'm considering stopping altogether if the inflammation doesn't cease.

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Basically I just want somebody with frontal receding to tell me that they've been through this burning/tingly itch on Propecia and it subsided eventually. Realistically I'm probably just gonna have to stop taking it.

 

[@CMP1]

Hey buddy,

I am EXACTLY the same. My hairline was receding, but only slightly up until last year. I started on finasteride in July 2014 to alleviate this, as I really wanted to thicken my hairline out.

Anyway, I have been on finasteride for 6 months now and I can safely say my hairline is a LOT worse, its on the border of requiring a short haircut (I have long hair on top) and I get an itch in the areas that are receding.

I genuinely don't know whether this is because with a lot of finasteride users their hair gets worse before it gets better, or whether it just simply is not working. Either way, Im terrified.

 

[zzzzz]

finasteride does not make hairloss worse long term. Only better. It is perfectly normal to be worse off 3 months later, hair cycles are very slow and it may cause initial shedding which is temporary. Even if it doesn't maintain what you have (which it will 90% of the time longterm) the other 10% of the time it will slow your loss compared to how it would be otherwise

 

[massa]

It doesn't make it worse but in some cases it doesn't make it better either or even maintain. What is hard to take is you just don't know whether your shedding or it's just the continuation of male pattern baldness. The hairline is harder to treat that's why finasteride was only tested on the crown and mid scalp. I got on finasteride in February 2014 and I would do anything to have the hair I had when I popped my first dose, I actually just saw some pictures of me from last winter and I was shocked at how much hair I had then compared to now . Every thread complaining finasteride doesn't work are frontal hair loss sufferers, there's something up with this if your hair loss is exclusively at the front I think it's highly unlikely you'd get amazing results, and if your hair loss is mostly at the crown then your more likely to have a successful outcome . My advice give it six months and if it's still bad upgrade your regimen .

 

[zzzzz]

It doesn't make it worse but in some cases it doesn't make it better either or even maintain. What is hard to take is you just don't know whether your shedding or it's just the continuation of male pattern baldness. The hairline is harder to treat that's why finasteride was only tested on the crown and mid scalp. I got on finasteride in February 2014 and I would do anything to have the hair I had when I popped my first dose, I actually just saw some pictures of me from last winter and I was shocked at how much hair I had then compared to now . Every thread complaining finasteride doesn't work are frontal hair loss sufferers, there's something up with this if your hair loss is exclusively at the front I think it's highly unlikely you'd get amazing results, and if your hair loss is mostly at the crown then your more likely to have a successful outcome . My advice give it six months and if it's still bad upgrade your regimen .

it always makes it better than it would be otherwise without finasteride NOT necessarily compared to baseline

 

[Dench57]

My point isn't that I'm shedding or it's a continuation of my male pattern baldness. In fact the amount I shed is roughly the same as before Propecia.

My point is that this "DHT itch", which the entire hairloss community agrees is a BAD sign and is DHT "attacking" your hair follicles, has only begun after I started Propecia. Not so much as a slight itch in 3 years of gradual loss before these 3 months on Propecia. Surely the only explanation is I'm producing more DHT on Propecia somehow, my hormones have reacted strangely to the drug - as seems to happen to a small minority of Propecia users.

I think the only way to know will be to quit Propecia and see if the itch stops.

 

[Mr Mayhem]

Or maybe your hair is also sensitive to t , use a corticosteroid to stop the inflammation/itch & maybe try ru or cb. Cb is both an aa and corticosteroid ,it really is the ultimate itch killer from my experience

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Also your theory about finasteride causing dht to attack your hair follicle worse than before makes no sense

 

[zzzzz]

look at my regrowth in the thread in my signature. My itch never went away. My head still itches. It's not a big deal. Zeroheat got amazing regrowth too despite itching

 

[Ventures]

look at my regrowth in the thread in my signature. My itch never went away. My head still itches. It's not a big deal. Zeroheat got amazing regrowth too despite itching

So, elevated T levels cause itching, and sebum overproduction rather than elevated DHT level. This makes sense, since many people on finasteride or dutasteride get acne on face, increased swelling of skin. My theory is that DHT inhibitors such as finasteride rise T levels due to inability of T to convert to DHT-type -II by 5ard2 enzyme. Sebaceous glands react more due to T and DHT-type I than DHT-type -II which is blocked on Propecia.

 

[zzzzz]

So, elevated T levels cause itching, and sebum overproduction rather than elevated DHT level. This makes sense, since many people on finasteride or dutasteride get acne on face, increased swelling of skin. My theory is that DHT inhibitors such as finasteride rise T levels due to inability of T to convert to DHT-type -II by 5ard2 enzyme. Sebaceous glands react more due to T and DHT-type I than DHT-type -II which is blocked on Propecia.

t is raised on average like 6-10% after taking finasteride from decreased conversion

 

[0-100realquick]

stay on finasteride man, 3 months is nothing.

 

[abcdefg]

I dont know if finasteride works as well on the hairline but there is a 10 year study showing finasteride does work everywhere including the temples and frontal hairline too. I do think the front/temples are most sensitive to androgens and propecia sometimes isnt enough there verses the crown which is maybe less sensitive. Its still all a game of androgens and timing.

 

[@CMP1]

I think some people are just lucky and get noticeable results 3/4 months in. I am definitely not one that falls into this category...I would LOVE to see more regrowth or even maintenance however I suspect its like what zzzzz said, the process takes months, even years.

 

[Dench57]

Thanks a lot for the responses guys. Helps being able to discuss this problem.

So, elevated T levels cause itching, and sebum overproduction rather than elevated DHT level. This makes sense, since many people on finasteride or dutasteride get acne on face, increased swelling of skin. My theory is that DHT inhibitors such as finasteride rise T levels due to inability of T to convert to DHT-type -II by 5ard2 enzyme. Sebaceous glands react more due to T and DHT-type I than DHT-type -II which is blocked on Propecia.

In the absence of any scientific study conducted on the impact of finasteride and DHT in the frontal regions, I'm inclined to agree with this as it seems the most obvious explanation. Increased T levels and my frontal hair is really sensitive to it. Whether this increase in T will accelerate my hairloss - I guess the only way is to find out for myself. There's definitely some reaction to finasteride going on with my frontal hair, as this itching/burning is all along my hairline, which I never had before Propecia. This itch is unbearable though...I've bought some Regenepure DR in the hopes it will calm down the inflammation. Can anyone recommend anything else?

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I think some people are just lucky and get noticeable results 3/4 months in. I am definitely not one that falls into this category...I would LOVE to see more regrowth or even maintenance however I suspect its like what zzzzz said, the process takes months, even years.

It's not that I'm impatient to see results. I didn't expect regrowth and I didn't expect to see results in 3/4 months. It's just that I did not expect to get this crazy DHT itching AFTER starting Propecia. I can handle it having no or little effect, but to think it could make my hair loss worse is really worrying.

 

[David.G]

I've read many comments on here and other forums of people going through a terrible shed after a few months and then seeing progress after a year or so. I'm on month 5 of finasteride/min and by month 3 I saw progress. That all went to hell in month 4 and 5. My hairline took a hit and now the hairloss is affecting me in other areas of my head. Actually its mostly in areas where I've applied minoxidil.

I do get the itch but not as often as before. My scalp was so dry and irritated while I was using minoxidil/nizoral that it turned white..and I'm a black guy. It was scary. Now I use olive/castor oil on my scalp to soothe it and it helps. I usually get a bad itch on my scalp after I jerk off though. But I'm never giving that up.

 

[@CMP1]

I have just had a haircut and I am 7 months into finasteride - Hairline is looking the worst it has ever been. Really, really alarming and gutting tbh.

I am adding both spironolactone, and whilst on the subject of inflammation (I read up here - http://www.follacure.com/t/inflammation) I am going to add EMU Oil too as under close observation my hairline where I add the Minoxidil does have red patches and gets quite flaky.


Fu*king male pattern baldness sucks fu*king balls.

 

[valy]

hi.you are in the same boat with me.I am from Romania so sorry for my bad english.I want to say my story and it is pretty interesting.Here what s happened.About 2 years ago,my hair line began slowly to receed,not too much.My hair anyway was thick.I started the treatment with finasteride,proscar to be more exactly,one pill cut in 4 or 5.Here in Romania you can buy it without prescription from any farmacy drug and it s cost about 20usd(28pills)...every pill cut in 4 or 5...or in 8,9 if you want to take a low dosage.So,it takes a half year or even a year to finish it.I took 1mg every day for 7 months and my hairline receeded much worse that in my dreams.It looked horrible.And that s not all..diffuse thinning all over my scalp,severe ddiffuse.I am also a sport guy so i ve lost a lot of my muscle mass,i was gained weight,bone loss,insomnia,a little brain fog etc.After 7 months i decided to stop it.In the first 3 months after i stopped,my hair was much better..incredible.I also felt much better..i started sport also.But then,even my hair look better,i decided to apply some topicals to make thhhhings mucch much better.I applied homemade spironolactone every day and twice a week topical flutamide.But after a month or so,i began to feel worse than ever,insomnia,anxiety etc...much worse that when i was on finasteride.My hair become very thin and dry,my skin also very very dry and itchy scalp.After some reading,i discovered that one of the sides effect of quitting finasteride is low testosterone.So,after quitting,my testosterone was almost ok because i started training,diet etc,hair better...but after topicals spironolactone and flutamide,my testosterone dropped insainly.That caused diffuse thinning,dry itchy scalp,hair and skin and others siddes effect.What i want to say it s: almost everyone here say that itchy scalp is caused by DHT inflammation of the scalp.But they forgot that a dry skin can be itchy without involving DHT.That is what s happened to me..diffuse thinning and dry hair from low testosterone.And Propecia is not for eeveryone...it s screwed up my hormones,my pituitary gland,thyroid,etc.Low testosterone can lead to hypogonadism,hypopituitarism and hypothyroidism...wich lead to hair loss and diffuse thinning and other things.I had the itchyness on my entire scalp...and that s from a dry scalp.Now,i dont use topicals that inhibit testosterone...just zix,minoxidil on the temples and acv(apple cider vinegar)from time to time because it s a great sensation of the scalp.Now,after stopping finasteride,spironolactone and flutamide,my hair is recovering,isn t falling but i still have a diffuse thinning wich i believe is from my hormones imbalance.I hope that maca root will balance that.That s it.Sry if i was too long or boring.

- - - Updated - - -

hi.you are in the same boat with me.I am from Romania so sorry for my bad english.I want to say my story and it is pretty interesting.Here what s happened.About 2 years ago,my hair line began slowly to receed,not too much.My hair anyway was thick.I started the treatment with finasteride,proscar to be more exactly,one pill cut in 4 or 5.Here in Romania you can buy it without prescription from any farmacy drug and it s cost about 20usd(28pills)...every pill cut in 4 or 5...or in 8,9 if you want to take a low dosage.So,it takes a half year or even a year to finish it.I took 1mg every day for 7 months and my hairline receeded much worse that in my dreams.It looked horrible.And that s not all..diffuse thinning all over my scalp,severe ddiffuse.I am also a sport guy so i ve lost a lot of my muscle mass,i was gained weight,bone loss,insomnia,a little brain fog etc.After 7 months i decided to stop it.In the first 3 months after i stopped,my hair was much better..incredible.I also felt much better..i started sport also.But then,even my hair look better,i decided to apply some topicals to make thhhhings mucch much better.I applied homemade spironolactone every day and twice a week topical flutamide.But after a month or so,i began to feel worse than ever,insomnia,anxiety etc...much worse that when i was on finasteride.My hair become very thin and dry,my skin also very very dry and itchy scalp.After some reading,i discovered that one of the sides effect of quitting finasteride is low testosterone.So,after quitting,my testosterone was almost ok because i started training,diet etc,hair better...but after topicals spironolactone and flutamide,my testosterone dropped insainly.That caused diffuse thinning,dry itchy scalp,hair and skin and others siddes effect.What i want to say it s: almost everyone here say that itchy scalp is caused by DHT inflammation of the scalp.But they forgot that a dry skin can be itchy without involving DHT.That is what s happened to me..diffuse thinning and dry hair from low testosterone.And Propecia is not for eeveryone...it s screwed up my hormones,my pituitary gland,thyroid,etc.Low testosterone can lead to hypogonadism,hypopituitarism and hypothyroidism...wich lead to hair loss and diffuse thinning and other things.I had the itchyness on my entire scalp...and that s from a dry scalp.Now,i dont use topicals that inhibit testosterone...just zix,minoxidil on the temples and acv(apple cider vinegar)from time to time because it s a great sensation of the scalp.Now,after stopping finasteride,spironolactone and flutamide,my hair is recovering,isn t falling but i still have a diffuse thinning wich i believe is from my hormones imbalance.I hope that maca root will balance that.That s it.Sry if i was too long or boring.

 

[@CMP1]

Update for you here buddy - I know your hairline has been getting itchy (mine is the same) but I have since added EMU Oil to my regimen; I mix in a few drops when I shampoo my hair and I also add it neat to my hairline after minoxidil at night.

Since adding this in, my head is considerably less itchy. It's fairly oily so I would only add it neat before bedtime....but seems to be working. Not sure about whether it assists with male pattern baldness in any way but the itch and dry scalp has gone.

I've been receding at the front for the last 2-3 years above the temples, very gradually. 3 months ago I started on Finasteride and it's accelerated the frontal hairloss, I know because I get terrible itchy/tingly scalp around my hairline in areas that have begun to thin, when I've never had any itchiness in all my previous years of hairloss. I don't have any thinning on top the top or crown, just above both my temples. Before I took finasteride I was prepared for the sexual side effects, the brain fog, even the shedding. I was NOT prepared for this well known "DHT itch" appearing as a reaction, which basically reminds me all day every day that DHT is attacking my hair follicles. Most people experience this itch BEFORE taking finasteride, I'm the other way round.

Has anyone with a receding hairline like myself ever had a similar adverse reaction to Finasteride? I'm considering stopping altogether if the inflammation doesn't cease.

- - - Updated - - -

Basically I just want somebody with frontal receding to tell me that they've been through this burning/tingly itch on Propecia and it subsided eventually. Realistically I'm probably just gonna have to stop taking it.

 

[Dench57]

Update for you here buddy - I know your hairline has been getting itchy (mine is the same) but I have since added EMU Oil to my regimen; I mix in a few drops when I shampoo my hair and I also add it neat to my hairline after minoxidil at night.

Since adding this in, my head is considerably less itchy. It's fairly oily so I would only add it neat before bedtime....but seems to be working. Not sure about whether it assists with male pattern baldness in any way but the itch and dry scalp has gone.

Thanks for the tip. I've been using Regenepure DR for the past 2 weeks or so, which includes Emu oil. Doesn't seem to have helped much. I've cut my finasteride dose down from 0.5mg to 0.25mg to see if the itchiness subsides. If not I'll just have to come off it altogether which sucks because if finasteride doesn't work for me then dutasteride surely won't either and I'm screwed.

 

[Sanchez1234]

Thanks for the tip. I've been using Regenepure DR for the past 2 weeks or so, which includes Emu oil. Doesn't seem to have helped much. I've cut my finasteride dose down from 0.5mg to 0.25mg to see if the itchiness subsides. If not I'll just have to come off it altogether which sucks because if finasteride doesn't work for me then dutasteride surely won't either and I'm screwed.

How is your situation now Dench?