Taking Propecia for Over a Year — Should I Add Minoxidil?

I have a question about medication.

I am a 23 year old male who has been on Propecia for 1.5 years. I am in the very early stages of hair loss with just general thinning at the temples leading back. When I initially began the medication I felt a decreased sex-drive, so I decided to take 1mg every other day. Since then I have just had the same thinning with the miniaturized areas about the same or slightly thinner than two years ago. There was no reversal of miniaturized hairs.

I went to the doctor and he recommended I begin using Rogaine in addition. My question is: do you think changing the dose of Propecia might make a difference? When do you recommend using Minoxidil? Is there any reason not to use Minoxidil other than the fact that it is more difficult to use every day?

Thanks for your time.

The only time I’d say to not use minoxidil with Propecia would be when just starting treatment. If you use both at the start of your hair loss treatment, you won’t know which one is providing benefits and you’ll be stuck using both for life (unless you want to risk losing hair by stopping one). In your case, having taken Propecia for over a year, adding minoxidil shouldn’t be a problem. Some people do experience irritation from minoxidil, and I’ve heard from my patients that Rogaine Foam is easier to apply than the liquid.

Just because you didn’t see the miniaturization reverse with Propecia doesn’t mean it didn’t do anything for you — it could’ve very well just prevented further hair loss from occurring, stopping your loss where it was at. You could try taking just 0.5mg daily (instead of the recommended 1mg) if you experience a decreased sex drive, but check with your prescribing doctor before making any changes like that.