Androgenic alopecia and medication

[Spudnik21]

I have androgenic alopecia with stage 2 hair loss.

I have an nhs dermatology appointment in October when they will prescribe spironolactone. I was on the waiting list for 2 years.

This appointment has been prosponed once already as I am breastfeeding a cmpa baby and spironolactone cannot be taken whilst breastfeeding.

I am torn and don't know what to do.

Spironolactone can have some nasty side effects and I would have to stop bf. Baby would be 13 months at time of appointment.

It has approximately 50% success rate according to the dermatologist.

It will not grow new hair it will only thicken existing hair I would still need to "style" ( dermatologists words) the hair to disguse the thin parts.

Do I go for it or not ?

Oh, difficult one. Is it any good trying minoxidil- I don’t know if the side effects are similar?

I have been on it for six years now for Androgenic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium. (Happens to a lot of women in my family with menopause. Yay….) I have since had a diagnosis of heart failure which is from another genetic disorder, and they titrated the medications around the spironolactone. I was a bit thirsty for a day or two when I started, but have had no ill effects.

@Fraaances has it worked for you ? How much styling do you need to do ? I suppose I was hoping it would bring my hair back to how it was , thin and fine but a covered head.

@RobintheNun when I first started loosing my hair the Dr recommended minoxidil while waiting for a dermatologist appointment. I did it for 18 months taking pictures every month and there was no change. It just didn't work for me.

I would say that my hair is… almost where it was. It was always fine, but I had a LOT of hair. Now there isn’t as much of it and it doesn’t grow as long or as quickly. I was diagnosed with heart failure a year ago, and after being on meds for this, my heart function is better and my hair is looking fuller and growing a bit longer now. My scalp is covered and there are no hair creatures in the bottom of the shower. (I would say that my peripheral circulation is better everywhere, tbh.). MyTE/AA diagnosis (biopsies, hair count, etc performed by specialist derm) has also benefitted my skin. Spiro also eradicated my seborrheic dermatitis and I never get pimples or it how’s anymore too.