Oral minoxidil might be fake, unsure of how to proceed
M46, thinning since mid 30s and with a family history of bald men on mother’s side.
For almost a year I’ve been on oral minoxidil from Minoxidil Express, 5mg/day.
I’ve continued shedding through this whole time and lately it’s become apparent that my hair loss have progressed. Mostly hairline, but the crown is also thinning a lot now.
I feel unsure if I’m a non-responder or if I’ve been scammed. Now weighing my alternatives:
Try to up the dosage? Feels unsafe, especially since I can’t verify what’s in the tablets. Also 5mg is already considered a high dose, isn’t it?
Find a legal source of oral minoxidil? Already tried and it seems very hard to get a prescription in my corner of the world (EU).
Try topical one last time? Expensive, since my skin doesn’t tolerate the liquid and I’ll have to order the foam from outside my country. But I could stomach it if it has a chance of actually working.
The nuclear option? I’m getting close to feeling it would be a relief. I’m very sad to lose my hair, but I also know there are more important things to worry about and enjoy in this life.
Anyone with experience from Minoxidil Express tablets?
Anyone who’ve had better results from topical than oral?
Any other last resorts before I commit haira-kiri?
(Finasteride is off the table, tried it and it wasn’t for me.)