Anyone tried minoxidil for hair loss?

[thedogdaysareover2]

I resurrected an old thread on the general health board but haven't received any replies so thought I'd post here too.
I'm getting a bit desperate with my hair loss. I am menopausal-started HRT age 43 and I'm now 48 (on Oestrogel, Utrogestan and testosterone gel) I had covid 3 months ago and I think my hair loss has accelerated since this.
I got my bloods checked by my GP last week and my ferritin was 44 and haemoglobin was 139. I have an underactive thyroid which is medicated and my levels were normal at my blood check.
I've just ordered minoxidil 5% lotion and hoping this will work miracles! I take biotin but haven't noticed any improvement-I've been on this for about 1 year.
My hair is really thinning at the temples and on my middle parting. I'm constantly finding big balls of hair in the shower, on my hairbrush and in the carpet 😭
Can anyone else advise on what else I should do? Thanks

I have found it helpful, for very similar hair loss. I use the 5% and I generally only use it every second day. But you can't skip any more than this! If levels drop in your blood near your scalp then the hair will fall out. It's not a miracle and it takes around three months to show a noticeable difference, but I do now feel more confident.
Apparently, the effectiveness of minoxidal depends on a certain enzyme that some people have lots of and some have very little. You can't tell if you're a good responder until you try. I get the Regaine for Men, and use it even though it says it's not for use by women.

I have but not under the same circumstances as you so I don't know how applicable my experience will be. i wouldn't say it's work miracles, but it helps as long as you use it.

I use Regaine ( the male version), as it's generally cheaper, I price watch on Amazon and stock up when it's a good price. I personally find it leave a film on my hair/scalp so I only apply in the evenings, just before bed.

When I wash my hair I use rosemary water (homemade, just boil fresh rosemary then leave to infuse overnight and add to a spray bottle) when my hair is damp and rosemary has been shown to be as effective as minoxidil. I also use The Ordinary hair loss serum on days I'm just going to be home, as again leaves a film on the scalp.

Using all this product, make me anxious about build up, so I use a scalp acid treatment, look at the Inkey List or Bumble & Bumble, once/twice a week.

Regarding Shampoos, I've tried a few for hair loss. Kerastase one is nice but I'm not sure worth it for the price. Nioxin irritated my scalp, Watermans made existing hair grow but no new growth. Grow Gorgeous was ok. Currently using Mark Hill strengthening which is fine.

I take Viviscal and Sea Kelp as well as B12 and Floradix (only the first 2 are hair related but think the latter help with it too).

Covid led to post-covid and then viral stress, with a bout of Telogen Effluveum thrown in, about 3 months from initial infection (well known after effect). So, covid can lead to temporary hair loss, which is adding to your issue. I hope this helps as to why the extra loss now. I lost an awful lot of hair, like small balls of wool, but it did grow back.

Thanks everyone. I'm really hoping it's temporary post covid. I initially didn't think it was related to covid as I had barely any covid symptoms at all. Strange!
I use rosemary oil-I put some in a little spray bottle with water and apply it while I exercise but I need to wash it off after an hour or so as it stinks. I also use The Ordinary hair density lotion at night. I am using Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and foam but haven't really noticed much difference with any of these. I probably need to give it more time.

Rosemary spray? Wow that is easy to make. Any idea if any studies have been done? goes off to Google!

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll give them a try. I got a bit of a shock when I saw a photo of myself from the side with my hair in a ponytail recently. My sides are definitely receding.😫

Hi @thedogdaysareover2
just come across this thread and wondering how you got on?
i’m 45 and not sure what to do next about my hair loss

Hi @thedogdaysareover2. My hair loss is much improved now thankfully. I started taking ferrous fumarate to increase my ferritin levels as I read that ferritin has to be above 100 for hair growth. I have also been applying minoxidil 5% each night to my hair. Both of these interventions have made a huge difference and I hardly have any hair loss now. I unfortunately have Covid again now, so I really hope my hair doesn't fall out again like it did the last time!

What minoxidil do I buy please; tablets?

@Myotherusernamesafunnyone no I just use the liquid 5% and apply every night or every second night. It's quite greasy so I need to wash my hair the morning after using it but I have fine hair that I wash daily anyway. The tablets are prescription only in the UK and have side effects so I'd rather stick with the topical liquid.