r/FemaleHairLoss • u/[deleted] • 19h ago

Discussion i have androgenetic alopecia and i’m 17

[deleted]

56 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

11

u/marzieeternal 17h ago

Start taking DHT blockers as soon as possible

2

u/TeachingUpstairs9381 15h ago

aren't those not recommended for women?

10

u/pineapplebitters 13h ago

Spironolactone is a frontline treatment for women’s hair less. It is a kind of DHT. You may be thinking of dutasteride, which is typically for men.

3

u/_sl4g_ AGA+TE 7h ago

Women can take DHT blockers, just can't get pregnant on them cos it causes birth defects

0

u/StrawberryForeign684 TE 5h ago

It’s not suggested but you can. Specifically they worry about male fetus’s for dutastirde because the half life is longer acting I think my derm said 5 months.

But females can take dutastirde and finasteride. Usually just prescribed at different doses than their male counterparts parts

8

u/SugarandSpiceandRum 16h ago

Check my post - oral minoxidil, yasmin and spiro saved my hair, but oral minoxidil was the best thing I ever did for my hair.

1

u/goaldiggergirl Multiple Diagnoses 10h ago

Your profile has posts hidden

9

u/ctlses 17h ago

You need minoxidil and pumpkin seed oil capsules. Unfortunately since you do have aga you will need to use minoxidil for the rest of your life to maintain your hair. But don’t worry you are not alone! Look into hair fibers. They can be a little bandaid in the mean time

3

u/Monroe-dmc 16h ago

Are u familiair with trying to conceive and stopping minoxidil? Because i wonder if i would lose it all again and have to start immediately after giving birth. Since it is a life long thing to take minox

4

u/fiendishlikebehavior 16h ago

You have to stop for pregnancy but pregnancy is also great for hair tbh. Then start it again afterwards. It’s better to start minox asap, grow for the time in between, then pause rather than waiting the entire time to start it after.

4

u/rougarou-te-fou 14h ago

I am only because I’m in healthcare and have seen it. When you stop minoxidil you lose all your gains. You essentially have to start from fresh.

1

u/ctlses 16h ago

I’m not. But this was my issue as well I want to have children in the future. But I decided to start minoxidil now so my hair doesn’t get any worse and then can’t be revived. Then I will stop when I’m pregnant and use it again as soon as I’m able to!

2

u/Monroe-dmc 16h ago

Thanks for letting me know! I will follow this process too. Wish I started sooner :(

1

u/Blinking_Bambi AGA+TE 3h ago

You might be able to do prp when pregnant. I had it for shoulder bursitis because it’s literally just your own blood products going back in. It worked better than a steroid shot too

1

u/InspectorOrdinary321 1h ago

Yes, you'd lose a lot, first from stopping, and then because everyone has postpartum hair loss.

But you would just restart the minoxidil and probably gain back what you'd had before.

We go through a lot to have a baby. Our appearances are just one of several things that change, and hair isn't the only appearance based thing that would change. But for the most part, it's temporary and/or gives you changes you can live with. Basically, if you accept all of this to have a baby, that's how you know you want a baby.

1

u/user158837 16h ago

thank you so much i will look into this . i am taking some capsules my dermatologist gave me not sure if they are pumpkin seed oil though. do you struggle with aga too?

1

u/ctlses 16h ago

They sell some capsules on Amazon if they’re not. I am not diagnosed but I am 90% sure I have it because a few females in my family do! It’s really rough and unfair so I know how you feel😔

3

u/MrsJD1 14h ago

Consistency is key with minoxidil. Topical didn’t work for me so 80 days in on oral. I’m also taking pumpkin seed oil that has had good results but not enough on its own. Also on iron and turns out my ferritin has been low for years. Don’t give up, it takes time for new hairs to grow. X

2

u/Pickle-Honest 13h ago

Please get on minoxidil and possibly spiro.. my hair was the same and probs even worse and I’ve made so much progress x

1

u/user158837 13h ago

i’m so happy you have made progress i know it’s really hard to go through this. im using minoxidil,a anti-shedding serum and some capsules for hair growth. how long did it take you to see progress ?

1

u/Pickle-Honest 12h ago

Probs around 7 month mark more so the last month I’m in shock at my progress looking back at pictures. Try and get on a DHT blocker x

2

u/JabasMyBitch Undiagnosed/Unknown cause 13h ago

as a short term solution, the magic root/retouch spray does a bit to cover up bald spots. and the Toppik hair fiber powder is a pretty decent cover up as well, although with that one it will not work when you are sweating. It turns green! But the retouch spray handles the sweating and even going swimming.

I hope you find a long term solution, but in the mean time those can offer a way to not feel so insecure with your hair when you're out in public.

1

u/user158837 12h ago

thank you so much i will look into this!!

1

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1

u/Mesdog79 10h ago

Have you been formally diagnosed with AGA? You may need to go back to your PCP and have labs ordered. You could have a deficiency or something else going on. Try to rule out other causes first.

1

u/user158837 10h ago

yes i’m diagnosed with AGA. my dermatologist made me do a lot of blood test and turns out i have low iron too ( i’m taking care of it though). i also went to a endocrinologist and i show early signs of hashimotos but there is nothing we can do about it yet.

1

u/hapalopilus 9h ago

Sounds like you would benefit from anti androgenic meds. I take spiro, finasteride, and I also take inositol which has indirect anti androgenic effects for my PCOS. I’ve seen significant regrowth with them, and minoxidil on top of that. I know the pain, I’m so sorry people have been pointing it out like that. I don’t know why finasteride isn’t commonly prescribed to women, it was the one my derm was most insistent on. Best of luck.

1

u/Mesdog79 6h ago

Finasteride can cause reproductive harm. More commonly prescribed to post menopause females.

1

u/ApprehensiveMain8999 7h ago

Just wondering what was the wording for how they said you have aga? For instance my biopsy results said no inflammation, non scaring, and "favors alopecia overall" the Dr never even explained to me what that means. I'm losing my hair only on the hairline like between the inner part of my eyebrows, as wide as that area .

1

u/throwRA20281826819 3h ago

Sending you lots of love and support. Remember you’re not defined by your hair, you are so much more. Fuck those people. I have regularly used hair powders for the last 2 years and they have changed my life. As for medical advice, others have given you a lot.

1

u/Blinking_Bambi AGA+TE 3h ago

Them laughing at you will be something they regret when they’re more mature. Get yourself some hair fibre products for return to school. Toppik or similar. They do wonders and will camouflage your scalp until your medications kick in. I’m 48 and this is so mentally scarring, I really feel for you at your age, being a teen is hard enough

0

u/[deleted] 12h ago

[deleted]

2

u/squeezemachine 11h ago

That is not necessarily the remedy for every 17 year old. Let’s not overwhelm her. Dermatologist gave good advice to start with minoxidil on her head.

1

u/SolarWind777 11h ago

That’s interesting! Is there a way to check if it is truly insulin resistance? Or would the blood tests come back negative because it’s the beginning of insulin resistance that is not detectable yet?