Is taking Minoxidil the worst decision I’ve ever made in my life?
My hair has been thinning around the temples for about a year now so I started taking 0.5mg of minoxidil. After weeks of shedding my hair growth is poor and the hairs are incredibly fine. I’m worried i’ve made a bad situation worse and feel so incredibly anxious. The biggest question is do I stay on minoxidil or cut my losses now? Full details blow - any help on what to do next would be hugely appreciated!!
Here’s the timeline of events:
Jan-Mar 2025: Come back from travelling with terrible IBS and constipation. I try FODMAP and many other things, but in the end found symprove and cutting out dairy to be effective
Apr 2025: There is a picture of me online and hair looks good
Aug 2025: Start to notice hair shed in my brush
Sept 2025: Have unexplained abdominal pain and in A&E for 3 days with loads of tests to rule out appendicitis and kidney stones. Never fully explained but presumed it was a nasty kidney infection which whipped me out for 4 weeks (not linked to the coil). Since that point I’ve also not had a period apart from a couple days spotting.
Feb 2026: Hair loss worsens and I get hit with a Hair + Me ad for oral minoxidil. I’ve been taking 0.5mg ever since.
Mar 2026: Huge hair shed, possibly more than I had before taking minoxidil and my confidence has taken a huge knock.
May 2026: Visit a trichiologist for the first time who uses a camera to look at my scalp. Confirms hair at the back is growing well but hair on the temples is thinned. There are plenty ‘alive’ hair follicles but they aren’t producing any hairs likely due to stress - I don’t feel stressed and I believe this all started before my medical incident in September. The hairs growing in from minoxidil are considerably thinner and he said slower than he would expect to see, but said generally the medication works better for people with genetic hair thinning and not stress related.
My questions are now:
- Can you wean yourself off oral minoxidil a limit more hair shed?
- Will the hairs I shed the first time around grow back?
- Will the shed from coming off minoxidil result in me losing the new hairs PLUS other hairs?
- What can I do to promote hair growth for my situation without minoxidil, if any?
- Should I carry on taking minoxidil? Made my bed now need to lie in it!
Hair History
- Previously I’ve always had fine thin hairs but a decent amount of them
- My scalp is oily and I need to wash my hair every couple of days, and wear dry shampoo in-between washes
- I always use heat protectant, use any hair tools on a low heat, avoid wearing my hair up/scrapped back or leaving it wet for long periods of time (although it dries very quickly now as it’s thinned)
Thank you so so so much in advance!!!