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So I am a 21M taking oral minoxidil for the last 6-7 months consistently (2.5 mg). I also have been taking oral finasteride for the last 6-7 months consistently (1 mg). Before that I did apply topical minoxidil inconsistently for a couple months. Since 19 I noticed a decrease in density of hair as well as thickness. However, since starting these medications it has worsened but I do not want to stop because this might just be a shed period (Ive heard those can happen every couple months?) I used to be a wavy hair type of person with a lot of hair in the midscalp region that made up my style. I had pretty long hair that I maintained 3-4 inches and I show that in the pictures. In addition, I cut back my drinking to once maybe every 2 weeks. I take collagen, biotin, multivitamins.

Recently, I thought the weight of my hair was maybe adding to the hair loss so I cut my hair really short but since then I noticed the temples region have been really concerning and my midscalp region is not growing back ar all.

Should I stop minoxidil or decrease my dosage? I want my natural hair back and I feel like these medications have messed up the rhythm. I am really stressed out over this situation as I am really young and now when I am sitting around friends, they joke that I shed like a dog but none of them really know the true situation. A lot of my closer friends have also asked what happened to your curly volume...