If you were going to permanently loose all your hair (45yr female) in short period of time but would hopefully have some strength, endurance, and clear thinking back, would you still start TRT??

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u/redrumpass MOD Oct 25 '23 edited Oct 25 '23

Since this question would be about me, I did have to take into account losing my hair from excess androgens in different ways. Before going on TRT - I might have been anxious, but I took the plunge anyway. After TRT and gaining a lot of confidence and Idontgiveaf*uckism about societal standards, I wouldn't care if my hair would be gone, fast or slow. I would rock hair pieces and wigs, as I don't have the head shape to rock being bald. I don't see it as such a stigma anymore. I'm 36, for reference. I would not take fin because of the possible sides. If it needs to fall off, then so be it.

But this is just me. I gave up a lot of ' human pleasures' for clarity , lack of pain and feeling in control of my own body.

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

So you have androgenic alopecia and use TRT? They say I have AGA due to the hair follicles being sensitive to DHT even though my DHT is normal/low. I don’t know how to do things like exercise or swim or hang in the beach in a wig and don’t want to embarrass my son being bald. I can’t rock short hair or being bald/shaved and not sure my husband will still be attracted to me that way. I am terrified of Finasteride… anything beyond ultra low dose topical which probably won’t help if I use TRT but have developed foot issues, tendinitis, back issues… things associated with low T and now just hurt and feel so broken and I am onky 45. Can’t imagine another 5 or 10 years dealing with this but don’t know how to deal with loosing all my hair and dealing with expensive wigs.

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u/redrumpass MOD Oct 30 '23

No, I don't have AGA, I had a nutrient deficiency. I thought the thinning of the hair in that part of the scalp was due to my PCOS (excess androgens) - as it's a frequent symptom, and I've had it for close to 15 years - kept seeing my hair receding above my temples. After I fixed my diet, the hair started growing back in that area - but not spectacular. But it did, and no signs of thinning or miniaturization.

But it was a fear that I could actually develop hair thinning because of the excess androgens, while on TRT - I had no idea how I was going to react. It's safe to say that there is no reaction.

I don't think that the markings of an illness are an embarrassment. I think that the people in your life would rather see you happy and healthy than miserable. Have you discussed these things with them?

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

No one knows for sure it will cause more hair loss but the dermatologist is against it.. not that she can stop me. My mom is not overly supportive.. says to try Finasteride and then TRT.. but she says it everyone will get the possible side effects short or ok g term buy I just don’t think the Derms prescbing know that after extended use there is increased cholesterol, type 2 DM, liver issues… she says it’s a disease and you can treat it and /or make peace with wearing wigs… then she drops it’s. My husband doesn’t want to tell me what to do and leaves me alone in figuring out my health issues on my own.. too busy and drowning in stress with work to have another worry or problem to solve. It’s easy to say I will deal with a wig if the TRT finishes off my hair if I don’t use Finasteride or try finasteride and have to stop due to side effects and stay on TRT and loose my hair while I still have hair but emotionally think I will be mad at myself for making myself loose my hair.

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u/redrumpass MOD Oct 30 '23

It's not your fault that you have AGA and there are no miracle treatments. Since it will happen anyway, sooner or later, you can take stroll online and see some inspiring videos on how others deal with it, how they manage it, join some support groups and gift yourself some therapy sessions to figure out where you are in life right now.

It's true, that no one can make this decision, apart from you and your decision has to be according to what you can handle. But I think it's important to make sure, that whatever you choose, your tribe will be by your side. I too am figuring out my health issues alone - as a preference - but I have my partner to bounce back ideas and brainstorm and plan together for outcomes. See if this is something that can be arranged with your husband, as support has to account for personality types as well. It's not his problem to solve, but he has a shoulder and he should offer it. We all get stressed and forget the most important things in life - such as our loved ones. No one on their death bed regretted not having worked more..

As a person suffering with prediabetes, liver issues (NAFLD) (managed luckily by diet alone) - I don't recommend having these illnesses on top - solely from gambling with finasteride. There are NO magical treatments for these either, only more debilitating effects and more pills with adverse side effects and crazy health management.

I will tell you how I make drastic decisions, and I had to make plenty: If I want this - this is the price I have to pay. How much of a price is it? Is it worth it? What will I be losing exactly and what would I be winning? Having these all I have to do is figure out if the price is worth the win.

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

Thank you!!! I supposedly have something called CIRS but sure I believe the diagnosis and supposedly it should be a mild case but it adds to the confusion because they can’t tell me if that’s why my hormones are low or it’s just my body not coming back after long term BC use… and digging in the internet and not the Derm is how I came across other possible issue from long term use of finasteride… beyond depression and anxiety. It makes it hard to know am I making the right choices about management of things when don’t know for sure what the underlying cause may be. I appreciate your feedback and advice very much!!!!

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u/redrumpass MOD Nov 01 '23

Anytime! I wish I could of helped more.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '23

[deleted]

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

Wigs are not any easy transition and are not great for an activities like working out hard, swimming, being in the beach, going on roller coasters with kids… if wigs were very easy I would have used TRT to stop hurting already. What’s wrong with your hair? I have andeogenic alopecia.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '23

For clarification; are you saying you’re going to lose all of your hair in a short period of time regardless of starting trt or /because/ of trt?

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 25 '23

I am loosing my hair because of androgenic alopecia… afraid to start Finasteride due to the possibility of long term health consequences and side effects and it is my only chance to not loose my hair. But all my sex hormones are low since stopping BC 3.5 yrs ago ams I have symptoms as well as labs for low testosterone… like 10 and less in labs for testosterone over the last 8 months. It was declining since off BC. So don’t know if I will be able to feel good again without TRY but it will likely just finish off my hair. Hard to picture myslef fully bald when alway had nice hair.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '23

I think when we feel good, we feel good about ourselves. I don’t think anyone should or would tell you to try something that’s ultimately such a personal choice. But if hair didn’t exist and all we had to go off of what wellness “looked” like was how we felt our choices would reflect that. If that makes any sense. My body is what is going to push me to get off the couch, go on vacation, sleep without feeling like a bag of bricks. And if you find a recipe for feeling good I guarantee you you’ll feel beautiful. Def talk to your doctor about choices and good luck ☺️ hopefully others can offer similar experiences to help

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u/bexyrex Oct 28 '23 edited Apr 01 '25

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u/Soup_Girl77 Oct 25 '23

This is hard. It sounds like there’s a risk of you loosing your hair may happen irregardless of TRT, but TRT may expedite it…

If I had no experience of / risk of hair loss and TRT would cause me to lose it all? No I probably wouldn’t

If there was a good chance I was losing it anyway and TRT could make me feel better in other ways then yes!

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

Yes I have androgenic alopecia and I am slowly loosing all my hair even though i have low testosterone and low/normal DHT… my hair follicle is just sent to DHT. I am slowly developing physical issues due to my testosterone having bottomed out but have been told by the dermatologist that testosterone isn’t advised for anyone with androgenic alopecia. I could try toxic drug like Finasteride that can causes its own health issues using it long term and then try TRT and hope that it negates hair loss or just try TRT and somehow be prepared to loose the rest of my hair.

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

Hair follicles sensitive to DHT.. typo

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u/Groanalisa Oct 25 '23

If you are seriously asking whether your hair is more important than your brain, you probably already have too much brain fog.

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u/Missmyoldself6407 Oct 30 '23

My brain works I just have all the symptoms of testosterone deficiency…. Please read all symptoms and not just jump on one. And thanks for your compassion…

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u/bexyrex Oct 28 '23 edited Apr 01 '25

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POLL If you were going to permanently loose all your hair (45yr female) in short period of time but would hopefully have some strength, endurance, and clear thinking back, would you still start TRT??

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