u/Ok-Box-6604

I’ve been on oral minoxidil a year. Had a horrible dread shed which finally tapered down. Btw I had no shedding or real hair problems before just felt a little thinner. I’ve still not had much regrowth. I regret this medicine. I’m scared to try any of the DHT blockers for fear of another dread shed. Although I am now second shedding or stress shedding. I really want to quit Minoxidil and let my hair reset back to normal. Is it possible? Has anyone done it?

Here’s my recap.
*51 yo old female
*Started Minoxidil July 2025
*Started HRT oral E and P Aug 2024
*Got an IUD in July 2025 to control spotting
*Prior to Min/IUD no shedding just felt hair was duller or maybe thinner
*Massive dread shed for 4-6 months
*Hairdresser could see lots of regrowth
*Year later he doesn’t see anymore regrowth
*In total I feel like I’ve lost 50%+ hair
*Now shedding again

What could be going on here? My dermatologist won’t prescribe Fin yet because I’m going to get the IUD out. She feels it will be too confusing to know what’s working.

On 6/11 I had a surgery for frozen shoulder. Maybe it’s from that? But I’ve never had TE before.

I did get bloodwork done and everything is normal.

Also of note, I have an identical twin sister who’s had CTE since pregnancy years ago. She didn’t wait for it to recover and has been on thyroid meds and progesterone all these years. My dermatologist suggested the progesterone could be causing the shedding. Maybe that’s been her problem and I triggered the same thing and am now stuck with CTE. She hasn’t stopped shedding on Min either.

Suggestions?

I started HRT in August 2024. Issues with spotting. Stop and started a few times. By July 2025 my doctor suggested an IUD. It has stopped the spotting. At the same time I was feeling like my hair wasn’t getting thinner. But absolutely NO noticeable shedding. I talked to the dermatologist and she said take Min. This was also in July 2025. Biggest mistake ever. So IUD and Min were started a week or two apart.

I started shedding massively a week or two in to Min and it lasted till near the end of the year. It finally stopped. I did continue shedding more than before Min but it was reasonable. But I’ve not grown any hair back yet. It’s been a year. Now I’m shedding noticeable again. Not a dread shed but I don’t have hair to spare.

My thoughts are it’s the IUD. But then why did the shedding improve? Or it’s a shed some get a year in on Min. Or it’s from a surgery I had on 6/11 for frozen shoulder. I’ve never had any TE before.

Other theory. I have an identical twin sister who’s had CTE since pregnancy years ago. She didn’t wait for it to recover and was on thyroid meds and progesterone all these years. My dermatologist suggested the progesterone could be causing the shedding. So it’s that or I triggered the same thing as my twin and I’m stuck with CTE. She hasn’t stopped shedding on Min either.

It’s all new to me. I’m scared. Any thoughts? Oh I did have bloodwork. Thyroid, D, B12, all iron and ferritin all good.