Minoxidil/Rogaine

[DragonAural]

Hi, I have identified as androgynous for the past three years and think I may be transgender. I'm going to start seeing a TG therapist. In the meanwhile while I'm figuring things out, I need to decide what to do with my hair. It has been thinning from the front to the top of my head for about two years now, with more rapid thinning in the past 6 months. I have developed the distinctive 'W' shape  and by the way my hair is thinning, it is close to becoming much larger. I am very hesitant to go on Propecia because of reports of permanent and severe side effects (particularly depression and mental fog, which I already have problems with), along with the high cost. Would it make any sense to use minoxidil until I decide whether to go on estrogen? Will it have saved any of my hair, which could then be supported by the hormone treatment? Or will the 'minoxidil' hair just fall out as soon as I stop taking it?

This has been a highly stressful situation as I weigh the alternatives (shaving my head and just accepting it, trying to save it, deciding whether I would be ok with wearing a wig, etc) without knowing yet if I'm transgender. And all the while it just keeps falling out 

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Dragon,

The very best person who could answer that question for you would be your Endocrinologist. Who, with all your blood results, would know exactly what is, and what isn't going to work. For anyone else it's going to be just a guessing game with your health and wellbeing at stake.

Apart from that it's a violation of T&C's to recommend any medication.

If your cars broken, don't take it to the butcher, he's not much help in that regard.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[crazy old bat]

Since you can go into any drugstore and buy it over the counter, I think its safe to talk about it.  I use it and it has helped, but I only apply it once at night. That along with hrt and generic finesturide has pretty much gotten rid of the big old bald spot I started developing in my thirties. And recently, I went about 4 months without the minoxidil and no hair fell out, but I'm starting back on it as I am concerned about some thinning due to the stress I put on my hair coloring it due to grays. Its not supposed to help on the front, but I still put a little there in hopes that it might, even just a smidgen, help. Who knows. And so you know, the equate version of it at walmart works just fine and a bit cheaper.

[NotThereYet]

Hi Crazy Old Bat,

How bald were you exactly? I am thinking about hair transplants, but, if it worked for you, maybe it will work for me, as well.

If you feel uncomfortable talking publicly about this, you can definitely send me a private message, but I would really love an answer because hair is my next (hugely important) step.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Andrea

[MadelineB]

And so you know, the equate version of it at walmart works just fine and a bit cheaper.

Also if you're in parts of the US with Costco, the Kirkland brand high dose minoxidil is very inexpensive - I think about $6 per month's worth.

[crazy old bat]

Also if you're in parts of the US with Costco, the Kirkland brand high dose minoxidil is very inexpensive - I think about $6 per month's worth.

I paid $18 and some odd cents the other day for three months worth at walmart, so about the same price.

[crazy old bat]

Hi Crazy Old Bat,

How bald were you exactly? I am thinking about hair transplants, but, if it worked for you, maybe it will work for me, as well.

If you feel uncomfortable talking publicly about this, you can definitely send me a private message, but I would really love an answer because hair is my next (hugely important) step.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Andrea

It was mostly the crown and it had gotten bad enough that you could see the skin from 100 feet away. It took a while and I was also taking estrogen, spiro and a little finesturide at the same time. I remember one of my brothers commenting how much had grown back and what was I using before I told them all I was transitioning and I had to tell him he might not like the regimen too much, lol. It did take a couple years for it to thicken enough that I didn't have to comb my hair while looking at the back of my head with a mirror to be sure I covered the bald spot as good as I could. Now I have no concerns about it, but I still do use it to make sure it doesn't regress.

[NotThereYet]

Crazy Old bat,

Do you have a "before picture" you could show? I am trying to get an idea:, because this is important. Wigs are a pain and they don't look that good either (see the picture in my avatar).

[Apples]

Hello there. Been on Minoxidil 5% for at least a year, ans still not sure about if it works or not. I've never experienced a regrowth and I have more loss than a year ago, but since stopping it starts the shedding process again, I'm too afraid of stopping now.

Usually I get a custom mixed in a pharmacy. The branded one leaves my hair like dry hay (and that's why I started using other products in order to recover the hair's shine).

Minoxidil just doesn't work for everybody. My young brother started losing hair at 21. Tried minoxidil quicker than me, pills... Nothing worked.

And that's my biggest fear. My hair is so thin on the top now compared to the sides that for the moment I get an approval for HRT I will probably need a wig.


Ah, about my prices... 30€ for 2 months of regaxidil, 20€ for 3 months of Minoxidil Viñas, and 20 for 3 months of custom mixed. Of the three, I'd stick with the last one. The Viñas version gave me a record outburst of dandruff (I haven't had dandruff for ten years)

[snowboarderchic]

Im on finesturide to, but it only seems to be halting the process and not growing hair.

[aibeecee]

I'm using topical minoxidil (5%) for eight or nine years. I started it before HRT and it seemed to halt androgenic hair loss. Because I was using more than recommended, I also had slight growth of facial hair in the forehead below the actual hairline. Something I could live with. Plucking is a matter of ten minutes. Stopping further hair loss was most important to me. I still have slightly bald temples which couldn't be undone through estrogen and anti-androgens.