Hair shedding seems to have suddenly increased after higher Finasteride, should I decrease dose?

Question

Hi, I have been diagnosed with female pattern hair loss. I've been taking 200 mg of spironolactone for 6 years and 2.5 mg of finasteride for 2 years. 2 months ago we increased my finasteride to 5 mg. Over the past 2 weeks my hair shedding seems to have suddenly increased. Is this normal or should I consider discussing a decrease back to my original dose? Thank you!

Ross Kopelman, DO · Answer

I understand how frustrating it can be to see increased shedding, especially after you've been on a stable regimen for so long. When increasing the dose of finasteride, it’s pretty common to experience more shedding, as your hair follicles may be transitioning into a new growth cycle. This can push out older hairs, which is why you're seeing more shedding. While it can be alarming, it’s usually a temporary phase that should settle as your hair adjusts.
If you’re worried or if the shedding continues for more than a few weeks, it might be worth discussing with your doctor whether going back to your previous dose would be best. Sometimes, it's just a matter of giving your hair a little more time to stabilize, but I get why you'd want to keep a close eye on things.

Hair shedding seems to have suddenly increased after higher Finasteride, should I decrease dose?

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Hair shedding seems to have suddenly increased after higher Finasteride, should I decrease dose?

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.