need help figuring out what to do - balding on T?

[lionmien]

Hi there. My name is Sage. I use they/them pronouns.

I wasn't really sure where to put this, because I'm nonbinary trans. But I've taken testosterone HRT via injections for 6 months/ stopped because I was experiencing hair loss and I felt self-conscious about it. I've been off for almost a year now (and the balding has stopped, thank god) but I eventually want to go on T again. There's a couple things I'd like to ask, if anyone's got advice on it.

1.) How do you deal with male pattern baldness? I've heard some of my friends using rogaine for it, but does it actually work? are there cheaper alternatives?
2.) If I took oral testosterone or T gel (estrogen blockers etc), does it make the balding happen slower since oral hormones / gel tends to be slower?

I just don't know how to deal with my self-confidence if I were to start balding a second time, but I'd eventually really like to go on T again. I'm caught with this irritating catch 22, it seems. :\


me when I was on T (I had shaved my head and noticed the top was a bit thinner)




me now:


(still got acne from T, that's what decided to stick around... lol)

help! I want to keep my hair and continue taking T... but I don't know what to do.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I have moved your post to Testosterone where you will receive more responses to your post. Many of the FTMs have your concerns about T and will be far more aware of the solutions to your questions. There are several solutions to balding involving various medications so you should receive some quality information in a day or two. If there is anything I can help you with, let me know.


We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Things that you should read

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Reputation rules
  
• News posting & quoting guidelines
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

[lionheart]

Personally, I don't think it looks like you had a whole lot of hair loss, but it's kinda hard to tell just based off those pictures. I don't have any experience with rogaine/minoxidil, but I know a lot of trans guys use it to encourage facial hair growth and it seems to work pretty well in most cases so I don't see why it wouldn't do the same for its intended purpose.

As far as a different method of T goes, it's really difficult to find a doctor that will prescribe oral testosterone and IIRC it's just a myth that gel works slower than injections. I'm on the gel myself, although I just switched to it a few months ago but if I notice any significant difference in hair loss I'll let you know. My hairline hasn't receded too drastically in the past 2 years, but based off every male on both sides of my family it's all downhill from here.

[FTMax]

Agree, it's difficult to tell with the pictures chosen. As far as your questions:

1) You could try Rogaine or Minoxidil. The issue with these is that you have to continuously use them in order to maintain. I believe I've heard of some FTMs getting a prescription for Finasteride to deal with it.

2) Oral testosterone isn't available in the US. Gel and injections work about the same. I can't say based on data that any of the available options would help with a balding issue. You could maybe look into pellets. Since they're extended release, maybe that would help? I'm not sure though, and I'd be hesitant to encourage you to get something implanted that will need to be in there for 3ish months if you're not sure.

[lionmien]

FTMs getting a prescription for Finasteride to deal with it.

You could maybe look into pellets. Since they're extended release, maybe that would help? I'm not sure though, and I'd be hesitant to encourage you to get something implanted that will need to be in there for 3ish months if you're not sure.

What exactly is Finasteride? Also how expensive is it? My main issue as of right now if my hair were to start falling out again is my budget. I'm pretty poor so finding a good solution might be kind of tough, since stuff like rogaine is considered a luxury by medical standards. haha

I've never heard of pellets. Are they like arm implants or something?

[FTMax]

Finasteride is a prescription medication for male hair loss. You could mention it to your doctor when you go to see them about T. I'm not sure what the cost is like without insurance. You could look it up on GoodRx and use that as a reference.

Pellets are implanted into the butt. They contain an extended dose of T. Depending on what kind of dosage you're on, they're usually good for somewhere between 3-6 months. It's sometimes difficult to find a doctor who will implant them though. My doctor had said that after I was on T for a year and had found a stable dose that we could talk about pellets, but she actually doesn't implant them. We'd have to find a doctor that does and get me a referral to see them.