how does HRT (Estrodial, finasteride, Avodart, T-Blockers) effect thinning hair

[l0nghairdontcare]

ok so I want to understand something about what most MTF speak of when they talk about regrowth. I have noticed I have the early stages of thinning on the "forelock" of my hair and around my hairline mostly at the very edge. I did not even notice the thinning until after starting HRT in October although I do not know how long it has been thinning for. I want to know will this hair return to regular dense hair from my regemine? I take Lupron Depot 3 month, Estrodial gel, and Avodart daily. I am also getting a bilateral orchiectomy on January 11th. I am also only 21.

I have heard from many MTF that they are getting hair regrowth. So when you say hair regrowth is it in areas that were totally bare before HRT and then hair began growing again and then became regular dense hair? or did your hair that was in the process of thinning but not totally bare yet re thicken and returned to the hair it was before the thinning began, or both?

Pictures would be very appreciated if you could spare some.

[Jill F]

I didn't have any bare spots, but I had some recession and thinning up top like Glenn Danzig's.  It was a gradual loss that happened between the ages of 17 and 43.  It was long most of that time, and what I noticed was that the ponytail just kept getting thinner.

Now I'm one year finasteride, almost one year estrogen gel, and six months dutasteride and now there's a lot of shorties that need to catch up to the rest.  I'd say most of what I lost has come back.  The hairline is actually advancing now.  I'd still like to see the widow's peak fill in a bit more, but I don't think I'll be needing any transplanted now.   I see plenty of cisgirls my age with less up top than I do now and have long since stopped worrying about it.

I've also heard that getting the berries plucked will "probably" help even more, as your main source of DHT is gone. The fact you're very young works highly in your favor.

[l0nghairdontcare]

He used to be really hot when he was younger!

Your story is very encouraging and made me feel a little better. So my question is where you're seeing regrowth was it totally bare as in the thinning had ended at that point and there was just scalp? Or did the hairs that were thinning just began to re thicken to regular dense hairs?

And you take Fin and Dut? I was thinking of adding Fin and progestrone as well

[Jill F]

He used to be really hot when he was younger!

Your story is very encouraging and made me feel a little better. So my question is where you're seeing regrowth was it totally bare as in the thinning had ended at that point and there was just scalp? Or did the hairs that were thinning just began to re thicken to regular dense hairs?

And you take Fin and Dut? I was thinking of adding Fin and progestrone as well

The corners that had zero, zip, nada are starting to grow thin ones, the front is moving forward with some proper ones, and overall density is much better.  It's like it was when I was 30.  I didn't lose a whole lot overall, mind you.  I looked OK for a 43 year old rocker dude, but I wasn't going to pass as female with what I had left a year ago.   I noticed enough right off the bat that I could go full time 3 months later.   

*results not typical
*void where prohibited
*your mileage may vary
*CA sales tax may apply
*may cause sexiness

[Jamie D]

How they work:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Finasteride
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Dutasteride

I recently started finasteride at the Proscar dosage.  Hope it helps the MPB too.

[l0nghairdontcare]

@jaimeD
Thanks for the response, but i know how they work chemically in the body. I want to know peoples experiences with it personally and results they have had as I described in the original post above.

[l0nghairdontcare]

@Jill thanks
I am really happy for you and I hope you continue to have further regrowth 

[Riley Skye]

I took minoxidil for six months and I have been on finasteride for a year. Before I began I was really losing my hair, had some bare patches after about four years of thinning and losing it. Now a year later I completely recovered my hairline and my hair is really thick. I personally believe that regrowth depends on how long you have been losing it because for a short while the hair follicle remains dormant before dying off. You need to block DHT which causes balding and since you won't be producing any T and with the help of estrogen you should recover your hairline.

Here is my one year before and after:

3rd January, 2013


3rd January, 2014

[Ms Grace]

That is utterly amazing, Riley! Congrats on recovering your hair, another year and it will be long, lush and even more beautiful

[Thylacin]

I took minoxidil for six months and I have been on finasteride for a year. Before I began I was really losing my hair, had some bare patches after about four years of thinning and losing it. Now a year later I completely recovered my hairline and my hair is really thick. I personally believe that regrowth depends on how long you have been losing it because for a short while the hair follicle remains dormant before dying off. You need to block DHT which causes balding and since you won't be producing any T and with the help of estrogen you should recover your hairline.

Here is my one year before and after:

3rd January, 2013


3rd January, 2014

Ah! So there's hope!
Mine is pretty thin up top, been on minoxidil for about 4 months, looks like it's starting to work. Started E/spiro a few weeks ago. I really hope I can recover my hair !

[Riley Skye]

Ah! So there's hope!
Mine is pretty thin up top, been on minoxidil for about 4 months, looks like it's starting to work. Started E/spiro a few weeks ago. I really hope I can recover my hair !

Also add finasteride because it will specifically block DHT which causes hair loss in men. I will take some more time but I'm sure it will. Also get haircuts every couple months to keep your bangs evened up

[Thylacin]

Yeah my doctor said we could add finasteride at any point, seeing him Monday for our 2 week follow up to starting hrt so I will ask him then. From what I've read, finasteride is so useful in reducing the masculinizing effects of DHT alongside spiro.

[Riley Skye]

Also the estrogen may change your hair texture. When I grew my hair out 4.5 years ago it was just really straight, thin and wispy. Estrogen not only thickened but has made my hair extremely wavy, I love it!

[Ms Grace]

Also the estrogen may change your hair texture. When I grew my hair out 4.5 years ago it was just really straight, thin and wispy. Estrogen not only thickened but has made my hair extremely wavy, I love it!

That happened to me first time round too!

[l0nghairdontcare]

@Riley
Your results are absolutely amazing! I am literally FLOORED! I know you were using Minox as well but still this gives me MUCH NEEDED hope for my situation. You have become so feminine as well the changes are like night and day, you are a very beautiful girl   

The changes in hair texture seem very exciting too! I hope mine gets thicker than the "finer" texture i've heard some MTF mention. I also hope I get more density throught my scalp and recover as much as I can.

I hope others post their experiences and pictures with regrowth of scalp hair they have gotten since beginning HRT!

I almost want to start another thread just for hair regrowth results to give others hope. I beleive that the loss of your hair from MPB is such a devastating event for a natal male, nevermind a MTF who is trying to live and pass as a woman on a daily basis. It is one of the most damaging things that have happened to me in my entire life, its actually more traumatic to me than the shape of my male body. Which is truly saying something.

Anyone else have encouraging pictures of scalp hair regrowth to give us all hope?

[Riley Skye]

Thank you! It has to be the most exciting part of my transition to have hair and be able to grow it out. I hope everyone else can get long luscious hair!