Any Way to Stop Hair Loss Without Messing with DHT?

Dear Doctor I was just wondering : isn’t there a way you can stop/reverse hair loss without affecting DHT serum levels? I was on propecia for a short time and, due to sides, had to quit. My dermatologist explained that since propecia lowers your body’s dht levels it may also cause side effects in some people. He also said I could try a topical formulation of spironolactone and progesterone. Have you had any experience with those two products in your practice?

Alternatively what medication would you put me on ?(I am a NW 2-3V ; 30 years old) Should I just wait for new powerful medications to come out,but in this case how long before something new and possibly revolutionary appears? thanks in advance for your help

DHT is one of the causes for male pattern hair loss (androgenic hair loss). Drugs such as Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and minoxidil are the only medications scientifically proven and approved by the FDA for the treatment for male pattern hair loss. Drugs such as spironolactone and progesterone have not been studied extensively or have shown variable response for clinical effectiveness on slowing or reversing hair loss. As such, I do not prescribe those medications in my practice.

You can keep waiting for the next treatment to come out, but there is no telling when the next great drug will be available. Dutasteride is currently in clinical trials for treating hair loss, but I do not know when that will be completed.