HRT and rogaine.

[Autumn]

So it seems that a great deal of people do see some results from rogaine (typically 5%, in foam, sometimes with retin-a) for the front of the hair line, despite it not being marketed for as such. I realize that any product you're using to prevent hair loss has to be used continually, or things go back to normal, but...

if you're on HRT, so that you aren't actually experiencing male hair loss at all any more, if you stimulate new growths from using rogaine for several months, does it remain necessary to continue using it, or does your body take over once the follicles get the oomph? I've had a smattering of little tiny blond hairs on either side of my M for years now, through finasteride, dutasteride, and now HRT, and I'd really like the little bitches to actually grow. I even tried dying them before but they were too fine to take on the color.

[Tammy Hope]

this might be an interesting thread, I'm getting more and more concerned about receding hairline myself.

[BrandiOK]

While Rogaine may grow hair when all others options have stalled it also comes with some nasty side effects for TS women.  Assuming you are on HRT and no longer sustaining hair growth in the typical male areas you will very likely regrow hair in those areas using Rogaine. I assumed it would work only on the areas where it was applied but it didn't quite work out that way. I've not had growth on any of those area for many years  but within 1 month of Rogaine use it was sprouting up like some kind of horror movie *shudder*. 

I suppose if you aren't on HRT and are shaving those areas anyways it's not an issue but it's pretty upsetting to regrow that hair after seeing it go bye bye on blockers.  Just wanted to let you know of a potential pitfall.  As far as 'jump starting' growth on HRT with Rogaine I would probably lean towards no.  I couldn't say for sure because I stopped using it fairly quickly due to the side effects. 

The foam is pretty expensive too...I still have 3 unopened canisters I'll never use to remind me of what a bad idea it was.

[Autumn]

I'm sorry, can you be more specific? Where did growth resume? Did it continue after you stopped using the rogaine?

One reason I didn't use the generic stuff I bought last year was because of the side effect of getting in your blood and causing hair growth of the face and other male areas - yeah.

[BrandiOK]

Hair growth resumed everywhere I had it pre-hrt.  I imagine wherever you had hair pre-hrt is where it can regrow. Can't really say if it stimulated facial hair growth but everywhere else, yeah.  The effects lasted about 2 months after stopping the Rogaine which was pretty upsetting but after that it disappeared again.

[jesse]

so on hrt will hair already lost be regrown or do we have to transplant this because i would rather jump start them with rogain then stop it then have to undergo anouther 2-3000 dollar hair transplant on the parts already reciding

[Chrissty]

Hair growth resumed everywhere I had it pre-hrt.  I imagine wherever you had hair pre-hrt is where it can regrow. Can't really say if it stimulated facial hair growth but everywhere else, yeah.  The effects lasted about 2 months after stopping the Rogaine which was pretty upsetting but after that it disappeared again.

I always wondered why it said "Not For Use By Women" on the side of the 5% bottle...

I'm not sure we will all suffer from such clear sypmtoms but certainly something to be aware of...Thanks Brandi

I do notice however that some of the lower % versions are being targeted at the female market.

One reason I didn't use the generic stuff I bought last year was because of the side effect of getting in your blood and causing hair growth of the face and other male areas - yeah.

I really doubt that the improved formulation of Rogaine would make it any less likely to cause this type of side effect than generic Minoxidil..

It's easy to see where the extra mark-up goes, with the huge marketing campains for the stuff.... I'd stay generic and save the money for more critical meds. 

so on hrt will hair already lost be regrown....

I think the consesus is your hair quality will improve and you will get "some" regrowth. 

The less time that has passed since you first lost the hair, the more likely it will grow back..


Ooooh...this topic is making me feel itchy...



Chrissty

[Suzy]

so on hrt will hair already lost be regrown or do we have to transplant this because i would rather jump start them with rogain then stop it then have to undergo anouther 2-3000 dollar hair transplant on the parts already reciding

First of all, where can you get a transplant for that little?   Most places in the US will do a minimum of 1K transplants at about $4 each.  I did mine in Mexico at a much lower cost, but still the travel for a small transplant job would not be worth the savings.

In theory, once you do transplants, those will be permanent.  They are taken from the part of the scalp where your follicles are not sensitive to DHT.  Now, will you still lose more hair in other areas?  It depends on how successful your regimen is are at blocking DHT formation and and how sensitive to it you are in the first place.  None of the meds will remove it all.  The best remedy for that is an orchiectomy, or beyond.

I do know that I started seeing real improvement with the combination of Finasteride + Minoxodil.  I use the generic lotion.  $18 last me three months, usually more, since I am applying it to only one spot.  One transplant doc told me he had seen no difference in effectiveness between Rogaine and the generic.  Good enough for me.  This girl is on a budget.  But I am about to stop and only time will tell if my hair in that spot stays in place.  I am hopeful.

What side effect, specifically, has bothered you?  These are the ones listed:

Burning or irritation of the eye; itching; redness or irritation at the treated area; unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body.  Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swollen hands or feet.

Kristi

[BrandiOK]

I never experienced any of the other side effects other than "unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body".  For me, the gain wasn't even close to being worth the side effect.

I've seen the lower percentage variations being targeted towards women as "safe" but I'm not willing to take the chance again.  I suppose it comes down to what is most important for each individual.  My hair loss is very minor and not really noticeable so going without is the lesser of the two evils, so to speak. 

I imagine that, in the future, I will go the transplant route to fill in the thinner area.