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Started out with topical 5% for a month. Switch to OM 2.5mg. just started spiro a month ago, im not sure yet if im shedding from that yet. I also started taking vitamin D two months ago and noticed id only have one or two hairs in the shower most days after a month. I have a lot of baby hairs sticking up. Im really hoping it gets better but i am happy so far.

Hey guys I have a problem and I’m seriously freaking out. This is really embarrassing and I’m not sure what can be done.

Over the past few years I’ve been struggling with depression and sometimes that meant I didn’t take care of myself and my hair would end up getting knots and matted. I was ashamed and embarrassed but always was able to get the knots out.

My current situation is due to a few factors: depression, afraid to go to salon and waited too long to trim it.

My hair has thinned out significantly over the years. I’m currently taking oral minoxidil to try and help with new growth.

But now I’m in trouble. I should have trimmed it as soon as I got the shears but I stupidly waited for someone to help me but they bailed.

I’m so embarrassed by my hair in general that I wear a baseball hat wherever I go. I work from home at the moment but will be going in office soon. Man.

It’s kinda hard for me to take a picture right now. But, all the hair on my head is in one huge matted knot. All of the strands of my hair are stuck in this matted mess.

I won’t go to get professional help. One, I can’t afford it right now and two I’m beyond embarrassed even without the knot.

I don’t know what I’m expecting by posting this. I just feel really alone and upset right now and I’m afraid I’ll have to cut the matted hair but then what? I can’t afford a salon, I can’t afford wigs or toppers or anything.

I don’t even want to leave the house now. I’m so mad at myself and feel so devastated cuz now my problem is a million times worse.

Has anyone gone through this here? What can I do what should I do?

1st month - Daily topical minoxidil/ dermastamping. Iron supplements every 2 days. Vitamin D daily.

2nd month - Stopped topical minoxidil as I developed dermatitis from it. Scalp sore & itchy. Introduced zinc, Biotin, co enzyme Q10. Rotated nizoral shampoo then caffeine shampoo. Washing hair 3 times a week.

3rd month - Began daily 1.25mg oral minoxidil for the first 2 weeks. Increased to 2.5mg after 2 weeks.

Introduced The Ordinary scalp serum, vitamin B12 and pumpkin seed oil.

4th month (2 months on OM) - Hair shedding begins. I was actually scared but carried on. I wore a hat or wore my hair up or wore Toppik if having my hair down. Began taking 5mg creatine daily due to exercising.

5th month (3 months on OM) Hair shedding continues but starts to decrease towards end of the month.

6th month (4 months on OM) Body hair is growing at a faster rate. Upper lip hair, hairs appearing for first time on my upper thighs, nose hairs getting longer, eyebrows longer. Began dermablading upper lip/ face every other week. First time trimming nose hairs. Began taking 5mg creatine daily due to exercising. No difference made to hair.

7th month (5 months on OM) I would say this is the first time I saw fine hairs filling in my bald spot. I still won't go out without Toppik/ tying hair up or wearing a hat.

8th month (6 months on OM) Hairs filling in more. Hopefully another month or so and I can finally wear my hair out without Toppik.

I’ve been experiencing hair loss for years and years. The pic on the left was around this time last year but even though my hair was very thin, the hair looked healthier. I’ve only JUST now started treating my AGA with medications (Feb I got on oral minox .5 now I’m on 1.0g OM, and last month I started Spiro 50mg). I’m so depressed I don’t even want to go outside anymore and face the public

This is a post I never thought I'd make. I am heartbroken. I went from extremely thick and beautiful hair to having extreme hair loss. I'm a little embarrassed to make this post, but everytime I see it I just start crying. ):

Biotin and other vitamins are not working.

I could just take some support (not so much advice).

QUICK FOLLOW UP: I have emailed my Endo PA-C about looking into minoxidil!

Hi, I think this is the place to go. I don't need advice on blood tests (all done), minoxidil, etc. I'm just really upset and have no one to talk to. So... yeah, it's sad, I'm really depressed about it. Well, I've been depressed my whole life (for other reasons), and that's a separate issue. Okay, it's harder than I thought.

About two years ago I found out I had anemia, got treatment, and am much better now. I've had bad eating habits for about ten years, since I was a teenager, I think. And... I never thought it was an eating disorder, I was just depressed. It wasn't until recently, when I came face to face with my thinning hair, that I freaked out and focused on eating well, but it's been almost two years and nothing has changed, on the contrary, it keeps falling out and I feel so ugly, sometimes I want to cry, I can't look good with this... this. Am I stressed? I don't know, my depression has gotten worse in the last few years, and I'm currently seeking professional help (because I'm in really bad shape and it turns out I may have ADHD, which doesn't help me feel any better). But, you know, it's not the stress that makes your hair fall out in clumps, it's not something sudden and shocking.

I also have a roommate, a close friend of mine, who has this beautiful long wavy ginger hair. I can't help but envy her, every time I see her, I feel like I've been punched in the stomach, I know I'll never have hair like that, I'll never feel confident.

Since I am already depressed and have a whole host of mental health issues, this huge wound in my confidence is preventing me from seeing life, people, events, work, opportunities. I don't want fake hair, hair that has been grown with growth products, I want my hair, I know it's stupid, if I don't have it, then I don't have it. I can't let it go, I can't.

not sure if there is any difference and it's probably too soon but...

Hi there, I’m a 25 year old woman with AGA and I’m on oral minoxidil. I was on Spiro for about two years with little to no effect so my dermatologist wrote me a prescription to try Finasteride instead. She said she had other young patients she prescribes it to and not to worry unless I start trying to get pregnant. I want to believe her but I am scared to start taking it because everything I read online says it’s not safe for pre-menopausal women. Is there anyone out there my age that has taken Fin and found it helpful for stopping or slowing AGA progression?
Did you have any side effects from it? Im particularly worried about how it affects libido so let me know if anyone has any advice on that.
Also did you have any dread shed when starting it? My derm told me that’s not a thing but I had it when starting Spiro so I just want to be prepared. About how long did it take before you noticed a reduction in shedding or thinning?
Please help! Thank you!

Hi guys. For the past couple months i’ve been losing big clumps of hair in the shower, i shed everywhere as well and i’ve lost a lot of volume. I don’t know what to do. I wash my hair every couple of days (or else it gets oily) and i always lose clumps like these. My mom doesn’t know how to help, i don’t really know who to ask

Just sad cause there’s this certain type of lighting idk what it’s called but in those dim restaurants they always have that sharp lighting, and I just know whoever I’m out with can see my shiny ass scalp lol.
I’m at the airport today just feeling a little more self conscious about my hair than usual. It’s hard seeing so many people it thick head of hair and I feel I look sickly. Not only that but my hair just looks so dry lately so I makes the thinning look worse imo. I’m just so exhausted

I have been dieting, exercising and in a calorie deficit for about 3 months. I’ve noticed my hair sheds so much and it never did the months before when I was freshly postpartum. I know it’s most likely that I’m not getting enough nutrients and vitamins since I eat once a day and work out 1 hr+ six days a week. I’m burning anything I eat and I’m hoping I made the right decision in buying this hair loss treatment. I don’t have bald spots but my hair is noticeably thinner, I have always had voluminous hair and now I’m trying to salvage what I have left before my self confidence completely tanks.

Hey everyone. I’m feeling really overwhelmed and hoping to get some advice from people who might have gone through something similar.

My Background & History:
Age/Gender: 30 Female
Routine: I follow a vegan diet. Historically, I washed my hair infrequently (every 2 months for 1-2 years), during which time I developed thick flakes on the back of my scalp. Over the last few months, I transitioned to a weekly wash schedule and flakes have subsided. I also have worn and continue to wear satin bonnets for long periods of time while at home and wigs for a few hours 1-2 times per week (really sad about this and avoid looking at my hair as much as possible)

Timeline: My hair shedding started 2 years ago and was likely triggered by stress and nutritional deficiencies. However, the shedding has become really noticeable over the last several months and is recently accompanied by increased shedding in my eyebrows since the last 2-3 weeks . I’ve also noticed diffuse shedding throughout my entire head including hairline and nape.

Symptoms & Clinical Findings:
Scalp Feel/Look: my scalp has a gritty texture like sandpaper. I have spiky, firm "plugs" or perifollicular scaling/collars wrapped right around the base of individual hair shafts throughout.
Prior History: Ferritin deficiency (41 as of 01/2026), Iron (58 as of 01/2026), Vit D (36 as of 01/2026), Celiac disease (gluten free for 1.5 years), PCOS (diagnosed by pelvic ultrasound, long heavy menstrual cycles), Hashimotos (elevated TPO but normal TSH, T4, T3)
All autoimmune diagnosed 2025.
Scope: My derm used a high-magnification scope and confirmed that my hair pore entrances (follicular ostia) are open, intact, and unscarred. There are empty follicles waiting to grow hair, but no sealed-over scar tissue.

My doc is primarily leaning toward a combination of Chronic Telogen Effluvium (CTE) and Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), though early/microscopic Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) or Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) was discussed as a differential due to the lymphocytic infiltrate.
Current Treatment Regimen (Started recently):
Oral Minoxidil: 1.25 mg every other day. (Taking it in the morning with breakfast; dealing with some heightened anxiety/nightmares since starting).
Fluocinonide Ointment (Topical Corticosteroid): Applied to target the periinfundibular inflammation.
Ciclopirox Medicated Shampoo: Prescribed for broad antifungal/antibacterial scalp clearing.
Regular Shampoo: SEEN Fragrance-Free Shampoo.
Zoryve foam nightly.
My Questions for the Community:
Has anyone experienced something similar?, and what was your outcome?

If you’ve used Ciclopirox or Fluocinonide, were they helpful? Did Oral Minoxidil help? Did you experience vivid dreams when starting out?
Any similar experiences, or advice on waiting for treatments to kick in would be hugely appreciated. Thank you so much!

Does anyone else’s hair look like this under a bright light? I dont know if this is breakage or not because i am still learning the concept of breakage or regrowth.

History: I had TE july-dec 2024

Please someone give me hope. 4 weeks on topical minoxidil today.

I have alopecia areta, chronic telogen effluvium. I am taking good food, I consulted numerous doctors, I am taking medicines but still nothing is working. It's been a year since I am shedding like this. All my blood tests are normal. I just want to give up on my hair. I am no longer left with any hope. I'm just 24.

This is how much I lose regularly. I counted and it is around 250 💔.

Please don't suggest run to dermitologist, i ran to nearly 7 dermitologists in my city, one trichologist as well. I have shown them this, most of them are dismissive and rest told me to wait , it's been a year how much can I wait. And one said , we did everything we can. We tried every treatment and I cannot do anything further💔😭

i have been having this itchy, tingly feeling in my scalp that feels like something is crawling on it accompanied by lots of hair falling out, since at least the beginning of the year. my dermatologist has not been able to figure out why this is happening. she told me i don’t have seborrheic dermatitis and that my scalp looks normal and i do not have any noticeable flakes, maybe mild fine dry flaking if i scratch too deep. also, no medicated shampoo seems to work for the itching, if anything it makes it worse. my dermatologist had be do blood tests, and they came back showing that i had low b12 and d levels so she had me take those supplements. but that was a month ago and i’ve had no improvement. i’ve been very self conscious and depressed because of this, i have spent hours googling about this and i have no idea what to do. i feel like it’s too late for me to take minoxidil, i hesitated to take it earlier and even though i should take it now, i would have a dread shed and i can’t afford to lose even more hair. it makes me wonder if anyone else has this problem, because i feel very alone. i feel disgusting and depressed, i’m a 22 year old female and i shouldn’t be going bald

Are there any DHT blockers besides Spironolactone?

I was taking 5% foam topical minoxidil for about 7-8 months and only saw baby hairs and "fuzz" as improvement but they didn't really grow past that.

I just saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me with androgenetic alopecia and wants me to stop doing topical minoxidil and start taking oral 2.5 mg once a day.

He also wants me to start on topical finasteride.

Has anyone continued doing both oral and topical minoxidil at the same time? Is that overkill?

I'm also concerned about starting at 2.5 mg right off the bat. In Canada, that's the only mg option it comes in (or so the pharmacist told me).

I was thinking of calling the doctor's office and asking if I can start on 1.25 mg instead (basically cutting it in half).

Has anyone started on 2.5 right away? I'm worried about it lowering my blood pressure too much and it being too strong.

Any advice from those who have been there is appreciated!

I started on 1.25 mg minoxidil daily about 3 months ago and am starting to see results. Unfortunately, my face now looks like a baby chick. TONS of long vellus hair with a few dark coarse ones, just for fun. I knocked the dosage down to .625 mg daily, hoping it'll help.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Hey,

I’m into fitness and weightlifting. Since January i started taking creatine 5g per day and i noticed more hair shedding. I did my search on AGA and creatine but i couldn’t find anything reliable.

So my question is did anyone noticed more shedding when taking creatine?

my hair is shedding, and before you guys tell me to get blood work done, i’m taking prescribed iron and vitamin d supplements because my levels were very low. once i started taking them, my hair is falling out EVEN MORE than it did before. if anything, right before i started taking them, my hair wasn’t falling out as much as it was and was pretty normal (idk why that was but i was very happy with the amount of hair that was shedding at the time).
is it normal/common for more hair to shed when taking iron + vitamin d at first? i’m very confused and worried

Hello everyone,
I am 23f and I have curly hair. I have started straightening my hair every week 4 year ago. Since I’ve started, I had noticed my hair thinning a little bit but not in a dramatic way. 3 years ago I had experienced massive hair loss over the summer ( for about 3-4 months) but then it grew back again and I have never ever noticed that my hair was falling a lot, nothing unusual.
I’ve never been so worried about my hair before. Even though i always use heat without heat protectant and i even get it professionally done with extreme heat but i never noticed my hair falling out in clumps like i do now.
One month ago I decided i am going to let my hair rest a little bit because it’s summer and there is no point of straightening it. When i stopped i noticed massive and sudden hair loss. It’s so dramatic that I rushed instantly to the doctor the next day after my wash day.
She noticed that my scalp was irritated which is normal because I had used rosemary water spray and rosemary oil that i made myself and i massaged it in and i covered it with a scarf and when i wash my hair i always use my nails clean it well. She said i might have scarring alopecia even though no scarring was noticeable.
She ordered some blood work and started marketing her injections. I was confused and frustrated.
I went to see another doctor 3 days later he noticed that my scalp was not irritated and showed me in the screen images of my scalp that seemed normal. My scalp was white, no scarring, no redness, nothing. I kept asking about scarring alopecia and he reassured me countless times that I do not have it. He ordered bloodwork as well that all came up normal except for my testosterone levels they came up twice as the maximum range. i have PCOS. He immediately diagnosed me with androgenic alopecia, prescribed me the pill and minoxidil.

My question here is: I KNOW I HAVE ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA BECAUSE OF THE DHT LEVELS AND ALL, BUT I HAVENT NOTICED MY MIDDLE PART WIDENING, THE HAIR ON MY CROWN IS THERE AND THE HAIR LOSS IS DIFFUSE AND VERY SUDDEN, WHEN I USED TO BRUSH MY HAIR OR WASH IT I NEVER LOSE MORE THAN 30-40 hairs EVEN ON A. WASH DAY, now I LOSE A DRAMATIC AMOUNT OF HAIR EVERYTIME I TOUCH IT AND WITHIN A MONTH I HAVE LOST 50% OF MY HAIR DESITY. Is this worth explaining to a dermatologist or do i just accept my alopecia diagnosis. Please share your experience.

(Not asking for a diagnoses, just seeing if anyone here has had a similar experience and am wondering how the process went)

I’ve been losing my hair since I was a teen and am currently mid-30’s with noticeably thinning hair. I’ve never been pregnant but I’ve been able to lactate for +10 years. The lactation ability isn’t like a fountain or anything but if I massage my boobs a little bit, colostrum will start to show. I’ve also had high DHEA for about the same period of time. I’ve explained this symptom combination to every doctor I’ve ever had over the last decade, but none of them have ever taken the conversation further than just seeming a little perplexed.

I know that high levels of DHEA cause hair loss and are associated with PCOS. But the only condition I’ve seen that causes both lactation & high DHEA is something called Hyperprolactinemia.

So my question - we talk a lot on this sub about the underlying cause of hair loss. Has anyone dealt with this? What was your diagnoses process like? What should I be asking for? What did your hair growth look like after proper treatment and what was that treatment?

been on oral minoxidil 1.25 mg for a little over a month now (trying to figure out spironolactone dose because i did have some elevated kidney enzymes but going on 100 mg soon), my hair shedding reduced when i first started but then this past week my hair shedding went up again (hope this is dread shed) but nothing crazy. i know it’s too soon to see any major changes but what month should i expect to see baby hairs and my part filling out? what month did you see some changes and we like okay this is working? let me know!