Androgenic Alopecia, Saw Palmetto and other options.

[Coffee.and]

I've been diagnosed with Androgenic Alopecia. All the doctors I've seen said that I should start Minoxidil, but I'm only 28 years old, and it is said that once you start, you can't stop Minoxidil- new growth will fall out. Also, I've read about women who were on it and got baggy eyes and darker circles around the eyes and wrinkly skin.

So, I've started Saw Palmetto. I've had some light bleeding at the first few days, and have been trouble sleeping, but the sleeping issue might be connected to stuffed nose and asthma (wondering if there's a connection),I am waiting to see a doctor and check the issue.

I've also wanted to order Emu oil from the web, but it's gonna take awhile.

I'd like to hear stories, about Saw Palmetto, Androgenic Alopecia, Minoxidil and other treatments for Androgenic Alopecia. I'm really scared, my hair got very thin at the scalp area and I just want it to stop, but all the treatments I've read about aren't very promising. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[Coffee.and]

Up (would really like to hear what you have to say).

[Quasiquixotic]

I have nothing concrete and science based to add. You might look into black seed.

Hugs and I'm sorry you are going through this.

[renia22]

Sorry to hear about your alopecia, Coffee.and. Did the doctors give you an underlying cause? It might not be a bad idea to start there. People on this board have reported mixed results with minoxidil. My experience with it wasn't good, but I was able to get my shedding under control when I addressed my nutritional/ underlying medical causes for it. There are some threads on hair loss on this board, maybe you'll find some info that will help. Here's an article on underlying causes of androgenic alopecia and some natural remedies, perhaps there is another treatment that you might feel more comfortable with:

http://www.thealternativedaily.com/natural-treatments-hair-loss-androgenetic-alopecia/

[Coffee.and]

Thank you.
They didn't find any underlying cause, but I'm not sure if they were really looking (and I've paid quite a lot to go a specialist who did mainly nothing). I did the blood tests, but nothing abnormal was found. I'm kinda lost, really would like to hear stories of others with Saw Palmetto (or something that is not Minoxidil).

[renia22]

Sorry to hear that, that must be very frustrating not to have answers. I'd be careful with the saw palmetto, however. It will effect your hormones, so unless you have an underlying hormonal imbalance that a qualified herbalist is prescribing this for, it might be best to skip it. Does your scalp look okay, has a doctor checked that out? I personally have had good luck with plain sulfate containing shampoos, and applying pure aloe with a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil, nightly.

[Coffee.and]

Sorry to hear that, that must be very frustrating not to have answers. I'd be careful with the saw palmetto, however. It will effect your hormones, so unless you have an underlying hormonal imbalance that a qualified herbalist is prescribing this for, it might be best to skip it. Does your scalp look okay, has a doctor checked that out? I personally have had good luck with plain sulfate containing shampoos, and applying pure aloe with a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil, nightly.

I've paid quite a lot to see a specialist, she did mainly nothing, so yeah, I'm kinda playing with that stuff. I'm just really scared. Are you diagnosed with Androgenic Alopecia

[renia22]

The worst is when they don't listen or help. It is in fact terrifying when you are losing your hair and you don't know why, and it just compounds it when doctors try to put you on something that can have bad side effects. I'm not diagnosed officially with alopecia, but have had some serious shedding over the years for various reasons. About 5 or 6 years ago it was really bad and I brought it to the attention of my primary care physician and gynecologist, and like you, they pretty much brushed me off.

So I went back to my Naturlopathic physician who I had seen back in 2005, and she's helped me a lot. She did very thorough bloodwork, examined my diet and whatever else I was putting in my body, and basically helped me sort out underlying causes and how to address them. I'm lucky to live in a state where Naturopathic physicians are licensed and not too hard to find. My hair has been a lot better the past couple of years. Not quite as thick as it once was, but a lot better. Hope you find someone who can help you too and that you get your hair loss under control soon.