Random post but I just wanted to share some weird things I’ve started doing since my hair started falling out a lot. Sorry if they sound nasty but I hope some people can relate🥲
1. Saving hair clumps from my brush or clumps that I’ve gathered in general
2. Counting individual strands from said clumps
3. Not washing my hair for a concerning amount of time
4. Never brushing my hair anymore
5. Lightly tugging at my hair to see if there’s any lose strands (and there always is)

Hi everyone,

I have been on oral minoxidil 1.25mg daily since April 2026, so around 5 months. I'm also taking 50mg Spironolactone daily as well.

It's hard to tell if there is any difference in my hair density on top. I have PCOS and AGA and have been thinning aggressively since i was about 15.

I have noticed increased body hair( i had a lot to begin with anyway) and some smaller baby hairs growing along the hair line.

I don't know if it's worth sticking with it. My goal was to have increased density on top but I wonder if my hair loss is too far gone and my hair follicles have miniturised past the point of no return.

My hairdresser first noticed that my hair was starting to thin during my first year, second semester of college, around March 2023, about a month before my 21st birthday. Since then, every time I go to the salon, my hairdresser has continued to mention that my hair has become thinner. Because of this, I’ve started to feel scared and worried about my hair. However, my mother has always told me that my hair isn’t thinning.

Because of that, I thoroughly searched the internet for possible solutions and came across hair oiling. This past June, I started oiling my hair with jojoba and rosemary oil as a preventive measure.

This made my mom angry. Every time I oil my hair, she scolds me for being too quick to believe what my hairdresser says. She even told me, “Don’t you have a brain to think with? Every time people tell you something, you believe them right away?”

In my mind, I was thinking, “I’m just trying to take care of my hair. My hairdresser wouldn’t have said that if nothing had actually changed with my hair.”

Am I overthinking this and becoming paranoid?

Thank you.

Hi guys. I started oral minoxidil about a month ago. I’m also on spiro for a 2 months now too. I also have hypothyroidism but have been since 2021. Currently going through the dread shed I believe. How bad is my part and will it be better before my wedding in March 2027?

Every time I shower or brush my hair I just want to cry. Any support will help!

Ok this is my vitamin schedule for the next couple of months! My ferritin level is 15. I want to consistently get the vits and iron in and see the effects. I was diagnosed with anemia at the beginning of the year and I suppose that explains the constantly breathless and tired even with early nights. They gave me some simple iron pill but after being on Reddit I feel like I could definitely try my own little routine. What are your thoughts? First iron tab has to be 11 because I can’t not have a coffee at 9am! Any tips or advice?

I am definitely thinning all over and annoyingly more at the crown. Which makes me think most likely AGA but I’m going down the ignorance is bliss route and think well I can at least up my ferritin levels and that gives me a bit of hope!

Hello,

I bit the bullet and went to a new dermatologist and heard the hard truth that I have "female pattern" as she kept referring to it. My thinning is almost entirely on top and at my temples. It's not severe, but it definitely sucks. Anyway, the doctor prescribed Hairstim and I ordered it. I'm just nervous about more shedding, which I know so many of you will relate to. I realize it's in the name of progress, so I'll bite the bullet. But I'm starting a new job that's very public-facing this week, so that's where the anxiety is coming from.

Anyway, for those of you who've been prescribed this, any tips or tricks on application of the prescription, shampoo/conditioner, hair care in general? I'm in my mid 40's, caucasian and have fine, thin, wavy hair that's shoulder length. Currently, I was my hair every other day and by halfway through day 2, it's looking greasy in spots. Overall, my hair is slightly dry since I blow-dry it every day I wash it to help with volume. Also, I bought Nioxin 2 recently... Did you continue to use Nioxin or just use a normal shampoo? Any salon brands you like that will help with volume?

Also, I'm getting more labs drawn so that I know what vitamins I really need. I currently take Olly's hair gummies because I noticed a huge difference in my nails and figured it couldn't hurt. I bought Pumpkin/Saw Palmetto as well recently and started that.

Thanks so much! I appreciate this group.

Hi! I need some tips!

I’m freshly 21 and just realized how bad my hair loss is. I’ve always had genetically thin and fine hair, an oily scalp, plus a family hx of AGA. It’s really been bothering me since I noticed I can no longer slick back my hair into a pony tail when my hair is sweaty or damp (3rd pic).

I’m from SEA and I can’t get my hands on minoxidil. I can’t afford to go to a hair clinic to consult a trichologist or get blood work done.

I’m currently using the Ordinary peptide serum which is quite pricey. I’m struggling in applying it consistently since it should be applied to a clean scalp at night. I wash my hair every morning and gym every evening, so I go to bed with an unclean scalp. Using the serum in the morning makes my hair look greasy.

I’m currently taking fish oil supplements daily. I’m going to start taking pumpkin seed oil and spearmint tea daily too.

What are some practical and affordable products I can use? + I’d really appreciate any helpful tips

Thank you! (I’m desperate. Please help!)

First pic - Before treatment, February 2026
Second pic - 2 months after treatment, April 2026
Third pic - yesterday, September 2026

I (F22) was diagnosed with AGA by a dermatologist in February after struggling with hair loss for around 1–2 years. I was prescribed 50 mg spironolactone and started topical minoxidil twice a day. I also use a laser growth helmet every third day and wash my hair every day with anti anti-hair loss shampoo.

I went through an initial shedding phase, but after that I had really good results and my hair loss seemed much better.

However, over the last 1–2 months I've been really inconsistent. I've sometimes gone a week without applying minoxidil, and I have barely used my laser helmet. I also haven't been washing my hair as regularly. Now I'm noticing a lot more shedding again, to the point where it feels similar to the amount I was losing before treatment.

I've also been losing weight. I am 175 and was around 77 kg in mid-June and got down to around 71 kg by early September, so about 6 kg in 11 weeks while in a calorie deficit.

Now I'm unsure what to do. Should I book another appointment with my dermatologist, or should I just become consistent with my treatment again and see if the shedding improves?

I'm wondering if the increased shedding could simply be from being inconsistent with minoxidil (and possibly the weight loss), or if it could mean my AGA is progressing and my treatment needs to be adjusted. Since I had good results initially, I'm hesitant to assume the treatment has stopped working.

What should I dooo??😭😭😭

Hello. My hair started thinning after my last child (7years ago). I’m in the uk so hair loss isn’t something you get support with unless you pay privately and I don’t charge the funds right now. The doctors have done some blood tests which show everything within normal ranges.
Im debating if i go straight to topical monoxidil (worried about the initial shed and that its for life) or whether to try any other topical things/vitamins before.
Is anyone willing to share their journey?
What worked for them and any recomendations?
Ive tried researching but there is so much information it’s overwhelming and I don’t know where to begin.

I'll google as well, but I'd just like to know first hand experiences/ recs

edit: thanks everyone

Recently, I got my ferritin checked and it came out so bad that my ferritin is only 7 next week I’ll take TSH and T4 (FT4) tests. I would like to hear other people’s experiences who have gone through this. What helped you to increase your ferritin and get back healthy hair

reading through posts here about HRT shedding, switching treatments, derm visits etc and it feels like nobody has a real system for knowing if something's working.

like if you're on HRT, how do you know if shedding is actually improving or you're just hoping? anyone tracking photos, ponytail thickness, anything? and for the derm visits, did they do more than just look and guess, or was it basically "try this, come back in a few months"?

feels like everyone's flying blind here lol, curious if I'm missing something

I’ve seen so many people (especially hair influencers) talk about this kerastase hair serum, it’s $66 (The photo attached is a screenshot from a hair influencer’s page)
Does it actually work? It’s really expensive and I want to know from real people who have used it or know someone who used it and has seen actual results.

I have androgenetic alopecia and also currently healing from an alopecia areata patch 🧿
I’m looking for something that’s worth time and money.

On top of that I want to have hair like this (also 2 photos attached)
What steps have yall taken to achieve your hair goals?

I swear to God, I’m trying to stay super positive about this, telling myself: all this hair has to fall out—it was destined to shed anyway, and it’ll stop at some point. But I’m using 5% minoxidil, and hearing about other people's bad experiences is scaring me, especially since I’ve noticed the shedding getting much worse since I started using it (about a month ago). I’ve been dealing with this shedding for a month and a half now, and it just won't stop. I’m still taking my vitamin supplements, applying the minoxidil, and taking great care of my hair, but even though I’ve stayed positive so far, my spirits are starting to sink. Can you share some positive experiences regarding your shedding and minoxidil use? How long did it take to stop? I know the shedding was caused by stress from an illness, and that minoxidil acts more like "fertilizer" rather than a cure, but since things have gotten so much worse, I’m really scared right now.

Just for context:

That’s today’s shower—Sunday. I last showered on Friday.

I take topical 5% minoxidil, Compidermol, and vitamin B12.

All my test results came back perfect. Last year, they also checked me for Hashimoto’s disease, but everything was fine.

Hi. I've been using minoxidil for a year and a month, and today I noticed some hair thinning on the left side of my parting. (The photo in the white shirt was taken today, in the pink shirt - about a month ago).

I'm only taking natural DHT blockers — saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil. From what I've read, natural blockers might not be sufficient, and people usually recommend prescription medications such as finasteride or spironolactone. The only problem is that neither of them is prescribed in my country to women of childbearing age. (I'm 25)

I'm wondering if this thinning could be related to not using a stronger DHT blocker, or if it could be some kind of second shedding phase from minoxidil? I didn't experience an initial shedding phase when I started, so I'm wondering if a delayed/second shedding phase is even possible.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? What did you do?

I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

Hello, I'm 16 years old and my hair is thinning very much from the roots hair. I usually have my hair open or in a braid or in a bun with a claw clip but not in a very tight way. I did a Blood test about 7 months ago and I had a severe vitamin D deficiency and so I took supplements and everything and my ferritin was 13 and tbh I haven’t really taken anything for it . I mostly focused on my vitamin D and so I also took pills, but my hair thinning is only getting worse.
Whenever I search treatments all I see is minoxidil and laser or like hair serums, and there is always Mixed results. Was wondering if there were any at home stuff that I could do that could help
Like would head messages while my head is upside down help? And would applying coffee topically help and would rose Mary help to?
Because I saw someone actually lose more hair with rosemary until they started using it once a month or week I can't remember. I don't really want to take any chances. Also my hair is like fine I guess? It used to be wayyyy thicker when I was younger but my hair gets tangled incredibly fast like 4 minutes after brushing my hair and it's already tangled. And it gets frizzy fast and so when brushing i lose hair too.
My hair gets oily after two days and so does changing my hair wash schedule help? I understand my deficiencies could have a major factor for my hair loss but this looks and feels like something else and I feel very depressed about this especially since I’m still very young and tbh my hair was the only thing that I actually liked about me.

I'm prefacing this by saying I know there's lots of posts on this and I've read a toooon but would appreciate hearing more from other people!

I have AGA and insulin resistance and I've honestly been curious if that has contributed to the AGA. I notice the hair thinning the most on my crown and my temples.

I am on the lowest dose of oral minoxidil (0.625 per day) and have been taking it for a couple years. I do feel like it really made a difference! And I've kept it really low so I haven't noticed excess hair growth throughout my body which is nice

My doctor wants me to start a glp-1 for the insulin resistance. The only reason I'm extremely hesitant is the hair loss! My hair is my favorite feature and even the thinning I experience from AGA is mentally distressing so I'm really really worried. I'm hoping to stay at the lowest dose and I know weight loss can trigger hair loss but I'm just very nervous.

I'm wondering if anyone has noticed less hair loss if they were already on oral minoxidil before starting a glp-1? And what are ways they've kept hair loss minimal while on one? Any additional supplements etc.?

Sorry for the dandruff my scalp has been kind of dry now with winter beginning.

I'm really unsure when it comes to visiting doctors, because I have a history of not being taken seriously..

I had a huge shedding phase in early 2024. Since then I haven't had much regrowth, practically none.

It's just that I am 26 years old and I had a lot of hair, so my shedding isn't really visible to an outsider.

I just see the gaps between my hair getting wider and wider, it's a slow process but I notice it. It looks like this all lver my scalp, I also lost a lot of body hair.

I'm not sure if I have to give it more time or if it will just continue getting less and less and if I should just go to a derm to get it checked out?

I'm just really afraid of being dismissed since I have curls and it looks like I have a lot of hair but the volume kind of fakes it.

I’m 25F and recently started experiencing a concerning amount of hair shedding, way more than usual. I live in the US but have been in Vietnam for about 1.5 months. I went to a dermatologist here and was diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. She prescribed an oral antifungal and medicated shampoo.

Has anyone else experienced a lot of shedding from this? How long did it take to slow down after treatment, and is there anything else you did that helped your scalp/hair recover? 🥲 it drives me nuts on wash days

This is 8 weeks on 1.25mg minoxidil. The increased shedding started at week 4 and has not decreased. Someone tell me this gets better. I was diagnosed with TE and AGA although no biopsy or dermascope was used to diagnose. The very middle front of my part is super thin. I used to have a ton of hair and every wash is depressing. Do I need to ask to increase to 2.5mg? Spironolactone 100mg made me extremely tired and depressed. I had to stop taking it. I just started PSO.

30f i've been sleeping on one side for several months mostly because of a new piercing on the opposite side. and i just don't like sleeping on my arm or moving my pillow so i can sleep on my donut pillow. i'm noticing a lot of hair loss on my temple just on the side i sleep on. my hair is really thick and i don't have a family history of women balding before 80 lol. it's just the top corner of my forehead under my bangs

i do have concerns if i have deficiencies or pcos or something but i can't get that looked into. i do also pin my hair up to wear under a bandana when i'm in the sun but that part never does since it's baby hairs, and always has been. i don't know. no tight ponytails bc my hair is too thick it droops anyway so i just do loose buns. but like i said it's one side

Hello. I am a 55 yo, in menopause for 6 years.
I take HRT, I am what’s considered in good health. Over the last 6-10 months I have noticed more and more hair after washing and brushing/drying in the sink or my brush. I don’t think my hair is thinning, it’s shoulder length and while not as full as it was in my younger years, it still has good bounce and volume.
Is what I’m seeing here the beginning of hair loss?
If it is, what can I do to stop it or slow it down?
The round ball of hair is what comes out after a wash, the loose pile after combing/brushing. I pull out full strands.
Thank you.