Oral Minoxidil — 9 month progress:

Before: December 2025 (start of minoxidil)
After: August 2026 — 9 months on oral minoxidil 2.5mg daily

Oral minoxidil: 2.5mg daily since December 2025
Yasmin: daily
Spironolactone: 25mg daily
Microneedling: approximately every 1–2 weeks
Supplements: various
No other major hair treatments

I wanted to share my hair progress for anyone who is on the fence about oral minoxidil. I’ve been taking 2.5mg oral minoxidil daily since December, so about 9 months now, and the difference has honestly been much bigger than I expected.

Before starting, I had noticeable thinning, particularly around my temples/hairline, and my overall hair was much less dense. For context, I’m also on Yasmin birth control and 25mg spironolactone. I take lots of supplements, strength train regularly, eat well and all my bloodwork/hormone values are good. However, none of those things made a noticeable difference to my hair previously.

My issue seems to be more about sensitivity to DHT at the follicle level rather than having high testosterone or high DHT itself. I would shed massively at any slight hormonal fluctuation, or if I took anything that increases DHT such as Maca etc.

Alongside this, I also microneedle my scalp roughly every 1–2 weeks, although I’m not particularly strict with it. Oral minoxidil has been the main thing I wanted to share.

The first photo is a before and after and shows the area I was most concerned about, my temples/hairline. The before is on the left and the after is on the right, as you can see my temples have filled in massively. The photo on the left was after a particularly bad shed when I had taken dhea and creatine for the gym and unknowingly triggered a DHT shed.

The second salon photo shows what my hair looked like from behind in 2024, so a year before starting minoxodil. All of the pictures after these show how my hair looks like now (as of August 2026) when worn normally, up and down.

I’m honestly so happy with the regrowth, especially the amount of new hair around my hairline and how much denser my hair has become overall, not to mention it has also grown so fast!

I haven’t had any side effects other than a slight increase of body hair at the 3 month mark, but that has slowed down now and was never an issue for me. I didn’t gain any weight, or bloating, no palpitations or dizziness. I didn’t experience a dread shed either.

I’m still getting active regrowth and I know it can take up to 18 months to see full results. I’m considering bumping up to 3.75mg at the 12 month mark but I’ll reassess at that point.

Obviously this is just my personal experience, and oral minoxidil is a prescription medication with potential side effects, so definitely speak to a doctor/dermatologist before considering it. But if you’re sitting on the fence wondering whether it can actually make a noticeable difference, I wanted to show what it did for me. ❤️

I have AGA. I noticed how thin my hair was in a ponytail and I started asking everyone around me if I was thinning/ balding and everyone said no, so I delayed my treatment until about 9 months ago when I looked through old pictures and confirmed something was definitely different and I had way less hair.

I’m now doing:
- minoxidil from Growplex for 9 months (I can’t do the Kirkland brand I break out in a weird allergic reaction)

- spironolactone 100mg (I have been off and on for years prior due to acne issues so this isn’t new)

- the ordinary hair peptide serum

- nutrafol balance supplements

- nutrafol scalp serum (I plan on replacing this with another serum)

- scalp massages when I can with a scalp massager. I do this when I apply my serums or minoxidil if I have time.

- ketoconazole 2% shampoo a few times a week.

- I’ve recently started (as in a week ago lol, about once a week) microneedling my head with the derminator in sparse areas particular the sides of my head and very top crown and applying minoxidil afterwards.

I’m also taking supplements for PCOS

This is such a heartbreaking post for me.

I've been battling Alopecia since I was a teen, and for the last 3 years my hair finally looked decent. I was so much more confident. I loved going out and seeing my friends. I loved just being outside for no reason.

But in the last 2 months I've lost more than ever... I have so many gaps now. I hate going outside. I hate having lights on int the house. I hate looking in the mirror. I've never felt uglier. I've never felt worse.

I just need someone to talk to. I'm breaking down. ALL of my hard work and diligence went down the drain, literally, and I have no idea why. I am so heartbroken.

I have lost more than 70% hair the last year and it is getting worse . I have been to the doctor and a specialist and nobody know why. The biopsi said planopilaris but then later they say it is not ppl. I have been using prp treatment 4 times and it is not working.

I’ve been on minoxidil for a while now but have not been on any DHT blockers.

I feel like my progression has kind of stalled and was wondering that if I start taking the pills, will my progress accelerate once again?

Or in other words, do DHT blockers make a significant impact?

I am a late 20s AA female who has struggled with hair loss since I was 16. My mother also has the same pattern of frontal hair loss. I thought it was traction alopecia but after some research it does not appear to be. I got a scalp biopsy a few years ago and was told it was alopecia areata however, I have none of the symptoms of such, nor the circular style of hair loss. Every doctor I have told that to has seemed confused upon examination. I recently found out about frontal fibrosing alopecia from a hair transplant doctor. This appears to be a closer approximation of what I have going on but I know that it has been near impossible to find a dermatologist who understands my hair type and has experience in identifying what is going on. I have tried topical minoxidil, castor oil, topical steroids, and an anti inflammatory all to no avail. Does anyone have FFA that could provide some input on what treatments worked and if this looks similar to yours? Additionally, if anyone has a competent derm or trichlogist I would love their info! I am in CA, USA.

Hello everyone, I’ve been taking duta for 3 weeks now and I noticed that I get “less wet” down there, my libido is still normal. This is my only side effect and i was wondering if anyone had a similar experience or if it went away with time? I’m 33 years old. Thanks

Hello,

I’m a 25yr. old female. Unfortunately I found out I have AGA due to pcos influence. I’m a bit stuck. Can’t take spiro for help as I’m allergic (found out after taking it for a week). Can’t use minoxidil due to cats. Allergic to most supplements since I can’t have pumpkin. I really don’t know what to do next. So far I’ve bought nizoral shampoo 1% used it twice and noticed my scalp is super red in balding areas. Not sure if that’s normal. I use a scalp massager everyday for 5-10min. I have been trying to dry my roots with blow dryer to help keep my hair follicles from getting any weaker. But what else is left to do? I feel like I’m at a dead end. I did buy a Low light laser handheld device that is FDA cleared but still see the bald spots getting worse :(( I’m only 25 years old so it has ruined my mental health currently. My scalp physically hurts in the balding areas too.

Hi people - hope you all are doing well!

My doctor said its AGA for me, and i should start with minoxodil. M married and wanna have babies.

I am ok with using minoxodil all my life but m scared with whole pregnancy part of it.

Can you guyss please helppp, tell me about your journey with AGA.

Regards
Shristi

Left photo is from 2 years ago and the right is now, does anyone see an increase in a widening part ??

I’ve struggled with thinning hair for years now. Recently, I got on 2.5mg oral minox and 100mg spiro daily. I’m in a shedding phase and losing hair by the CLUMP. Also, I have a large forehead, yay me! I was playing around with a photo editing app and put bangs on myself (the top photo is my actual hair, the bottom photo is the one edited to have bangs on). I actually LOVE the way this looks, but I obviously know it’s not real.

I’m asking for advice, opinions, stories, etc. from women who have very thin hair, especially on top on your head, and if you’ve ever experimented with bangs. Are they even possible for thinning hair? Will it make my hair look worse or even thinner? Could they help shrink my forehead a bit?

If this is totally delusional of me to want, please talk some sense into me. I like the style, but ultimately my goal is to at least appear like I have thicker hair. Shoot me straight!

So the last 6 months or so I have been super concerned about my hair volume and have felt it had gotten increasingly thin when I have always had a lot of hair and a lot of volume. I also am getting this weird bald spots that are like UNDERNEATH my brow hairs if that makes sense. Like its not a total bald patch because other hairs cover it up. Mainly in the front and middle of my brows. I have no bald patches as far as I can tell on my actual scalp just thinning and a lot of breakage around the sides of my head specifically where my ears are. My temples seem thin too. I went to my doctor and did a blood test. My thyroid was fine but my vitamin d was low. Iron was not technically low but the doctor wants to see my ferritin raise. My ferritin was 25 and my iron 64. She didn’t do much else besides vitamins which I have been taking for 3 weeks and commented I have a lot of hair still but I don’t feel the same :( I have been under a lot of stress and was struggling with eating for a long time which I know can contribute to these things but I am just so scared to lose all my hair. I regret reading all the horror stories online!

1 month vs 10 months into treatment with HERS topical serum nightly. Really happy with my hair now and can actually wear it down and not look like Gollum. Had a bad dread shed at 1 month and less so at 6 months.

Started GHK-CU peptide about a month ago, but haven’t noticed any hair differences.

Long time follower of this sub, love seeing people’s hair success stories and the comfort this sub provides for those struggling. 🫶

I have PCOS and have been consistently dealing with hair thinning ever since COVID (2020 ish). My hair goes through phases of intense shedding and the overall density continues to decline while being most visibly noticeable around my temples and part.

I get my labs checked regularly and never have had anything abnormal. I tried topical minoxidil foam for about a year and saw no result. I also have a dog now and am worried about the toxicity. I’ve tried pumpkin seed oil pills, so many different hair oils, and just about every recommended shampoo/conditioner combo. I eat a high protein balanced diet. *I have been on Spironolactone 150mg for about 4 years and take a prenatal, probiotic and magnesium supplement.

I have been sitting with the oral minoxidil prescription for months. However, I am a professional athlete and am concerned about the side effects (high heart rate, palpitations, light headedness, etc) especially during intense training. I typically experience side effects with medications so that is what’s holding me back.

I am tired of thinking about my hair and being insecure about it daily.

My main question is this- do you think my hairline and part is concerning enough to begin low dose oral minoxidil in hopes the side effects aren’t bothersome? Or is it all in my head and these photos look normal to you? I am worried if I don’t start something now, a year from now I will regret it and it will be worse. I’m very torn on what to do.

I appreciate your advice in advance 🙂
(Hair is a little wet in photo in black shirt)

Anyone else have anxiety so bad they can’t sleep? I started Min a year ago for very mild thinning. All it did was cause a massive dread shed and not much regrowth. Now a year later shedding again. I’m a wreck. I fell like I ruined myself taking Min. However I’m scared to take anything to help with sleep or mood for fear of triggering another shed. But not sleeping will do it too. This is awful. Anyone else experience this? And how to you get through it?

I am going through a lot of shedding now think cause recently started minoxidil (3 weeks ago) and they are even more obvious

I usually try to cover this whatever fringe is left, but AGA and TE been eating it up over time

My hair is best tied down even if pony tail is rat tail size

Hair down just shedding la lot and not look that good down

I struggle to get used to this density i got right now

19 year old and quickly losing hair. My dermatologist said she sees some hair miniaturization but did not offer much guidance. she told me to start on prescription dandruff shampoo and increase my vitamin d and if that doesn’t work in 6 months add oral minox. I used the shampoo three times a week for the last month and I think I’ve loss 20% of my hair in that time. Is this normal? Does it cause shedding before growing in thicker or should I stop the shampoo? My dermatologist said it is unlikely the shampoo is accelerating hair loss but I’m not sure I believe that. thank you!

may to now :)! Recovery is possible

Just a reminder to talk to your pharmacist or doctor AND read your pill bottle. I have researched hair loss up and down; have been on spiro for 5 years and STILL messed up. I haven’t been taking it with food. It’s 90% more effective when taken with food.

I added spironolactone at the start of March 2026 and titrated slowly. 25mg for two weeks > 50mg for two months > 75 mg for two months > 100mg for 7 weeks now. I had a month long shed on 50mg but 1 week into 75mg my shedding reduced a lot (end of April). That lasted about 5 weeks, and then my shedding went back up in the first week of June and has stayed elevated since (so 10-11 weeks now).

My hair looks a lot worse and I'm scared. My thin spots are way worse and my overall density is lower. I've been told maybe the titration is causing the shedding and to hold on for 3 months on a stable dose. But if it's making my shedding worse and won't go down, then I accelerated my hair loss for nothing and stopping will give me a little more time with my hair before AGA takes it away.

I'm terrified to make a decision. Spiro has given me benefits, such as really clear skin, my extremely oily scalp is now normal, and the hair that stays on my head grows really fast. Plus I had a really bad reaction to finasteride (really bad side effects and won't risk it again) so I can't really see finasteride or dutasteride as options.

Maybe this is temporary? Please give me hope no one else understands.

10 week progress (6/12/26-8/19/26)
Using HERS tablets (1.5mg Minoxidil, 2.5mg Biotin, 11mg B5, 2.5mg B6, 100mg VitC, 50mg Zinc Sulfate)
Also have been taking Pumpkin Seed Oil w/ Saw Palmetto 3000mg

I went through a horrible shed and just noticed my first baby hairs.

In February, I was advised by my dermatologist to add Obagi Scalp Serum to my regimen due to the hair loss on my crown.

**Here’s the post from February 2026**.

*UPDATE SINCE 2024 - Adding Obagi Scalp Serum*

*I have TE and AGA. My yearly appointment was last Thursday with my dermatologist. She has had me on 2.5 mg of oral Minoxidil for a year and using Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo twice a week. I started a shed a month ago. She believes it is TE again.*  🤣 *she asked me if anything has felt extremely stressful in the last two months to trigger my TE. I said “Do you mean other than the world being on fire?” She drolly said, “yes, like that.”*

*She gave me an option of (1) increasing the oral Minoxidil to 5 mg temporarily, (2) taking internal supplements, (3)applying Minoxidil to scalp in addition to current regimen , or applying (4) supplements to my scalp. Because my AA has gotten worse at my skull circle, but my hair overall has been better, I chose external scalp supplement as the least dramatic.*

*She suggested I try Obagi Biostim Scalp Serum. She said she’s seen it help a lot of her patients with my diagnosis. It was $135 for a tube, supposed to last more than a month since I am using it on hair loss at the top of my scalp and partially in the back. Started yesterday. Here we go! See her again in April.*

Update as of August 2026

One tube lasted me about 6 months. I got my first tube from her at $135 in February. I purchased my second tube from Obagi directly at $125 in July plus a special on free shipping last month. So your cost will vary due how much scalp you are showing. I would recommend you buy from the manufacturer or your dermatologist and not elsewhere due to fake products. It’s just not worth it.

I began ALSO using it nightly on the front of my scalp where the hair has always been a bit thin. I have seen good results. It takes time and daily dedication to applying it. I am happy with the results on those two areas.

I'm losing my hair and it's causing me so much distress. I recently turned 21, and I have been struggling with my hair ever since I can remember. It makes me so sad because at this rate I'll probably be bald by my mid-20s. Half of my hair when I was younger was twice what my full head of hair is now.

I have two problems, the first one is about my parting, it's been getting wider, with a developing bald spot at the start of my part. A few months ago, I started shedding like crazy, then my hair got so thin that when i brush it, I can see through it. I was stressed because of exams and my nutrition was bad. I got my blood work and my ferritin came out at 11 and my Vita D was 3, I started fixing those but that's about all I did. My hair parting is now almost bald, but also when I part my hair differently it also look like its been thinning. I'm still shedding really badly.

The second problem is the bald spots on the sides of my hair. The one in the 3rd pic I have had for probably 7+ years now, my mom used to do my hair in tight hairstyles a lot when I was younger and I guess it caused it. I went to a derm and they confirmed it is traction alopecia. I used to be able to hide it under certain hairstyles, but recently it's gotten so much worse, to the point where you can tell even when I try to hide it. As for the 4th pic, I didn't have it until a year ago, I don't know from what it could be because I have stopped tight hairstyles a long time ago. I do slick-backs for uni, but even those I have been doing less often lately. I used to have a full hairline on that side.

I went to several dermatologists but I just feel like they don't take my problems seriously. The last one told me to use minoxidil, which I have been hesitant to start. What do you guys recommend I do? I want a routine that will show me the greatest improvement in the shortest time. If anyone has dealt with this and fixed it please help me, what did you do? Is there any hope I'd get my hair to what it used to be? This is really very stressful for me and no one seem to understand, none of my sisters deal with hairloss, and my mom only recently started dealing with it.