Minoxidil for thinning hair - how bad is the initial shred?

[Decisionsdecisions1]

If you’ve tried it or are on it currently…..am worried about making an existing problem worse…

Iron, vit b etc levels all very good - I have regular blood tests. Collagen and biotin did nothing - took them for over a year.

It’s menopausal I expect (no periods for over a year) but I don’t really want to go on HRT in the hope it will give me thicker hair when I’ve minimal other symptoms. The evidence for HRT improving hair is mixed at best.

Been using Nioxin for years which has definitely helped reduce the thinning but over the last year it’s got much worse and I now have a bald bit above one ear.

A poster on another thread said they were fed up always being the person in the room with the worst hair - exactly how I feel.

I'm older than you, in my 70s, and nioxin did help for a few years. It doesn't help that I had fine hair to start with. Been using minoxidil for 3 months. I haven't had a problem and am just starting to see some baby hairs coming through.

Thanks Theign - did you get any shedding at all? or any other side effects? Watching with interest....

I didnt shed, but it also sadly hasn't really helped- neither did biotin, or HRT. However, I have just found out my ferritin is low, so I am now trying iron and am hopeful!

I’m coming to the end month three and have just started to notice shedding the last few days I think. Hoping it doesn’t get too bad.

I’ve never tried either of those, but I have had fine hair all my life which has thinned dramatically since menopause. I’ve recently started using rosemary oil once or twice a week (massage in before bed and leave overnight) and I can see less scalp and more hair growth. At my last appointments, my hairdresser commented unprompted that it is looking
denser. Might be worth a try. 🙂

I’ve been taking it for nearly 3 months now. Was worried about the shed but haven’t experienced it. I’ve also been using Nixon and dermarolling so hopefully all 3 things are helping!

I have used it for two years. Noticed very little shedding. It’s made a huge difference.

Should add, I haven’t taken it orally. Just the topical foam.

I didn't notice a shed at all

I’m about 2 months in, I am in the second week of the shed. Tbh it’s not that bad, it’s just slightly more hair coming out in the shower, it’s started to lessen off now. I read that a shed is supposed to be a good sign you will respond to the treatment. Since the shed I can see hairs stating to come through at the front.

When I started I also bought a shampoo that is a DHT blocker. The hair in the plug hole now is a tenth of what it was. And my parting isn't as wide. This has taken 6 months but I got no shredding and hope to have a ponytail bigger then a 5 pence piece in another 6 months

Thanks all, this all sounds encouraging.

I also use Alpecin and Nizoral shampoo and dermaroll twice a week. And I use an hair serum with aminexil in it. Basically throwing the kitchen sink at it lol.