I'm not on minoxidil yet, only microneedling, I did two microneedling sessions on my crown, and I'm experiencing a lot more shedding. It's really freaking me out. I've got a massive bald patch now, it's so thin that my family have even noticed. They think I have alopecia areata now
That's the thing about using stuff on your hair. Unless you have nerves of steel to stomach the initial shedding and deterioration of your hair before it becomes better, stay away from hair loss treatments. Because your anxiety and stress will just make things worse.
Generally, people experience way more shedding on Finasteride as compared to Microneedling and Minoxidil combined, so if you're unable to stomach the hair loss now, I can't imagine how you will handle Finasteride.
I would agree with your initial suggestion that you don't apply any treatment to your hair for at least 3 months, because according to you, it seems to be making things worse.
There's 2 different groups you will find on the internet. Those that say you should use hairloss treatments the instant you experience hairloss of any kind, and those that suggest you do not treat your hair for as long as possible. The reason the latter group makes sense is because often, what we perceive to be hairloss or thinning, is often just your hair going through a bad hair cycle (which can be several 3 month long cycles) and isn't necessarily male pattern baldness which Requires male pattern baldness hairloss treatments. Because as you know, not everyone responds well to hairloss treatments and can sometimes aggrevate your hair deterioration when there wasn't a real need to. Which is why being patient and being calm is a very valuable skill.
Sometimes your hair might recover better after several months on its own with just living a better, healthier lifestyle without stress, with regular exercise, sufficient sleep, making sure you take all the necessary vitamins and eating a good diet and removing sugars from your diet whilst eating foods that are Low GI and drinking more than the required amount of water intake per day. Sometimes the simple things work. I'm not saying they will cure your hairloss 100% of the time or stop your male pattern baldness, but sometimes they can do better for your hair and body than hair loss treatments and medications that often make things worse.