View Full Version : I'm losing hair again! - please help
Hi,
I'm M25 and I've been losing hair for the past 2 years. It wasn't of much concern until I recently noticed that my scalp is visible--especially when I don't comb it sideways--under illumination directly above my head. It started getting into my head; I started reading articles in net and decided--without any medical advice--to use Minoxidil 5% solution (known as Mintop, here in India). After 3 months of usage, I noticed hair fall gradually and visibly reduced and I even started recommending the same to my similarly-affected-friends.
But what made me write this post is that my hair started falling again even though I religiously used the solution daily, mostly 2 times a day. And again it has become a worry for me, and I'm seeking the forum's help on the following questions. I highly appreciate if I could be answered.
1) This time around, I noticed that only--and mostly--thin hairs fall out. Does this mean that I'm growing new hair which are falling out at the end of it's cycle, and probably grow back as healthy ones? My thought is that their cycle started all together with my application of Minoxidil and hence reached end-of-cycle together too.
2) I masturbate, on an average, 2-3 times a day :o . Would this have an effect on my hair fall--I mean the Testosterone stuff?
3) I came to know about Propecia. And I also came to know that people who take them have erection problems; and that it usually goes away if one continues the course. But if I wanted to take Propecia, what kind of doctor should I consult - Tricologist, Sexologist or a skin specialist?
4) How expensive is Propecia, compared to that of Minoxidil?
Please help! :(
Thanks
Xit0
Hi,
I'm M25 and I've been losing hair for the past 2 years. It wasn't of much concern until I recently noticed that my scalp is visible--especially when I don't comb it sideways--under illumination directly above my head. It started getting into my head; I started reading articles in net and decided--without any medical advice--to use Minoxidil 5% solution (known as Mintop, here in India). After 3 months of usage, I noticed hair fall gradually and visibly reduced and I even started recommending the same to my similarly-affected-friends.
But what made me write this post is that my hair started falling again even though I religiously used the solution daily, mostly 2 times a day. And again it has become a worry for me, and I'm seeking the forum's help on the following questions. I highly appreciate if I could be answered.
1) This time around, I noticed that only--and mostly--thin hairs fall out. Does this mean that I'm growing new hair which are falling out at the end of it's cycle, and probably grow back as healthy ones? My thought is that their cycle started all together with my application of Minoxidil and hence reached end-of-cycle together too.
It's normal for people to lose an average of about 100 hairs a day, so the fact that you're seeing some hairs falling out does not necessarily tell us anything. The best way to find out what kind of hair loss you're suffering from is to do a miniaturization test on yourself and compare your donor area to the rest of your scalp. That should show you what your normal hair density looks like (from the donor area), compared to what your hair looks like on other portions of your scalp.
2) I masturbate, on an average, 2-3 times a day :o . Would this have an effect on my hair fall--I mean the Testosterone stuff?
Masturbation does not have any effect on hair loss. You can read what Dr Rassman has written about masturbation and hair loss with a search on the baldingblog.
3) I came to know about Propecia. And I also came to know that people who take them have erection problems; and that it usually goes away if one continues the course. But if I wanted to take Propecia, what kind of doctor should I consult - Tricologist, Sexologist or a skin specialist?
Problems with libido and the ability to achieve erections is a side effect of propecia, but it does not effect everyone that way, only a small percentage. Less than 2%. And yes, if you discontinue the use of propecia, the side effects will go away as well.
I don't know the law with regard to prescribing medications in India, but if it's anything like the United States, any medical doctor should be able to prescribe it. A general practitioner should be able to help you out, as would a dermatologist. But I'd avoid going to a tricologist, as they aren't really doctors. I don't know what a "sexologist" is.
4) How expensive is Propecia, compared to that of Minoxidil?
The price of it differs all over the globe. You'll need to see what the price of it is in your area. I know Dr Reddy's (an Indian pharmaceutical company) makes a generic version of Propecia that may be available to you, but I'd contact a doctor in your area to get the exact info about it.
Please help! :(
Thanks
Xit0
Hope that helps out some.
-Mark
Thank you very much for the reply!
It's normal for people to lose an average of about 100 hairs a day, so the fact that you're seeing some hairs falling out does not necessarily tell us anything
I had read a study about this 100-hair thing. Unfortunately I lost the link to it. But this is what I can recall: 100 hairs per day is an over-estimated number, they say. The test that particular study suggests to know if you're losing more hair than normal, is, to comb hair after daily shampooing. And the normal number of hairs that you shall lose, according to them, is 6 to 7!
I don't mean to start a debate; rather I thought of putting this here just in case you're aware of anything similar.
Coming back to the subject, I never lost more than, say 10-20, hairs until 2 years back (as I mentioned in my first post). But now I see more hairs when I take bath; more hairs when I run fingers through my hairs. And above all, I started seeing that wax-like thing on my scalp (not just oil), which, I've read, is a by-product of DHT reacting with scalp tissues (another myth?).
Masturbation does not have any effect on hair loss. You can read what Dr Rassman has written about masturbation and hair loss with a search on the baldingblog.
I see how many times this question has been raised in the blog. But I would like to add that I noticed my large-scale hair fall, 2 years ago, only after I started masturbating too frequently.
I don't know the law with regard to prescribing medications in India, but if it's anything like the United States, any medical doctor should be able to prescribe it. A general practitioner should be able to help you out, as would a dermatologist. But I'd avoid going to a tricologist, as they aren't really doctors. I don't know what a "sexologist" is.
The reason why I asked this question is that, since Propecia is an uncommon drug (at least in India), I wouldn't want the doc asking me back - "Propecia? What's that?". And if you're wondering whether a doc would ask that, then welcome to India! Most docs are like that. They don't pay much attention to what your problem is; they are largely money- and business-minded (in cities like Bangalore). Most of them tries to get rid of you ASAP without even waiting for your explanation and gives you loads of drugs. So I thought I better be more specific on a doc I visit.
While I understand what your signature says--that you're not a doc--I would like to ask you whether you're aware of any tales of taking Propecia without prescription and landing in trouble?
Thanks
Thank you very much for the reply!
I had read a study about this 100-hair thing. Unfortunately I lost the link to it. But this is what I can recall: 100 hairs per day is an over-estimated number, they say. The test that particular study suggests to know if you're losing more hair than normal, is, to comb hair after daily shampooing. And the normal number of hairs that you shall lose, according to them, is 6 to 7!
I don't mean to start a debate; rather I thought of putting this here just in case you're aware of anything similar.
If you can find me a link to that study I'd like to see it. The thing is, you lose hair all day long. The wind can hit your head and some hair will come loose. It's just a natural thing. To say that you should see an exact number of hairs every time you comb your hair seems a bit specious to me.
When I was a kid, I used to dye my hair all the time and sometimes I'd dye it black. I would always think that I was losing my hair after I dyed it because I'd see all these really black hairs coming out when I'd shampoo my hair, but when I look back on it now I think I was just noticing them more because the black hair had such a contrast with my skin.
Coming back to the subject, I never lost more than, say 10-20, hairs until 2 years back (as I mentioned in my first post). But now I see more hairs when I take bath; more hairs when I run fingers through my hairs. And above all, I started seeing that wax-like thing on my scalp (not just oil), which, I've read, is a by-product of DHT reacting with scalp tissues (another myth?).
Substances on your scalp can be caused by any number of things. I literally look at photos of our patients all day long and I've seen all kinds skin on scalps. Some people have a lot of dandruff, some people have scalps that are as smooth and shiny as a polished cue ball. You really may be over thinking this.
As I mentioned before, the only way you can really get a good idea whether you're balding or not is to do a self miniaturization test.
I see how many times this question has been raised in the blog. But I would like to add that I noticed my large-scale hair fall, 2 years ago, only after I started masturbating too frequently.
It's probably just a coincidence.
I found this post on the blog and the Dr is pretty clear about it I think. (http://www.baldingblog.com/2006/01/03/masturbation-and-hair-loss/) I wouldn't worry about masturbation and hair loss being intertwined.
The reason why I asked this question is that, since Propecia is an uncommon drug (at least in India), I wouldn't want the doc asking me back - "Propecia? What's that?". And if you're wondering whether a doc would ask that, then welcome to India! Most docs are like that. They don't pay much attention to what your problem is; they are largely money- and business-minded (in cities like Bangalore). Most of them tries to get rid of you ASAP without even waiting for your explanation and gives you loads of drugs. So I thought I better be more specific on a doc I visit.
Well, there are a few different names it goes by. Dr. Rassman wrote a blog about the different brands of finasteride out there. (http://www.baldingblog.com/2008/12/10/actavis-makes-generic-5mg-finasteride/)
I don't know how easy it is to change doctors in India, but I hope you can find one that will treat you right.
While I understand what your signature says--that you're not a doc--I would like to ask you whether you're aware of any tales of taking Propecia without prescription and landing in trouble?
Thanks
Sure, I've heard of people ordering generic Propecia online and they don't really get into trouble for it. I'm sure it's probably illegal here in the United States since you have to have a prescription to obtain it legally. It's probably just a matter of priorities; they're more interested in people importing drugs like Vicodin and Xanax and other habit-forming drugs that people use recreationally.
I don't really see too many people trying to get high off Propecia, so they're not terribly interested in it.
HOWEVER, I'm just describing my personal experience here in the United States. I don't know the laws in India so I don't know how regulated the sale of finasteride is over there. You may be able to buy it over the counter, or you might be busted by the police for trying to do that. You should likely consult an attorney or a doctor in your area for any definitive answers.
As a footnote, I should say that I don't advocate breaking any laws.
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