I'm scared to use Rogaine because people say it makes your hair fall out?

Dear emcfalls3,
Thank you for posting this question. When starting a therapy to stop hair loss, whether it be rogaine, low level laser therapy, PRP, finasteride, etc, on occasion patients will have an initial but reversible shedding. This happens as the hairs synchronize their cycles a bit and so a steady-state is again achieved after a month or three and the hair that was lost is recovered. So don’t be concerned about a brief period of shedding when starting treatments that are effective in stopping hair loss. Also note that if you don’t do anything to stop the progress of hair loss, there is a 100% that more hair will fall out. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Kind Regards,
Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Rogaine can cause an initial increase in hair shedding and it will take up to 6 months to see positive regrowth. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate and go over your condition and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question. This is a very common concern among patients.Hair goes through a defined cycle of growth (Anagen), rest (catagen), and shedding (telogen). Any treatment option that promotes growth (Rogaine, Propecia, laser therapies) will cause the hair in rest and shedding phase to be accelerated through those phases so that the follicle is in growth phase.Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) results in premature disruption/termination of growth phase. This is accumulative process, such that the end result over time is serial miniaturization (thinning) of hair, and ultimately hair loss. The goal of non-surgical treatment options is to maintain growth phase for a longer time to lessen (and in some individuals) miniaturization.In short, the shedding you are concerned about is a normal physiologic process which is necessary to allow hair growth.Best of luck!

I understand your worries. But keep in mind that everything that helps genetic hair loss causes hair loss, including Rogaine, laser, hormone blocking medications. Anything and everything that works has a risk of shedding. Things that don't work don't cause shedding. I often advise patients that not doing anything also leads to hair falling out. 

If it made your hair all fall out it wouldn't be used for hair loss! Some people describe mildly increased shedding for the first few months of using it regularly, but after that there should be a significant change for the better, with a positive net change to your hair.

Rogaine (Minoxidil) sometimes produces a shed for up to three months, but the shed will stop and then you get the benefit of the drug. Most people do not experience this shed

initially when starting to use rogaine, some people report they have noticed increase shedding. However, this should stop and eventually help with preventing future hair loss.