Hello, I'm new here and this seems like a really great board. I really appreciate the openness of the members here, it's very helpful!!

I started to notice my hair thinning around where I part it on the side when I was 21, about 9 or so months ago. My hair has always been uncharacteristically thick from people of my nationality (German). The kind of thick where it wouldn't stay spiked without mega-hold Elmer's Glue!! My father has a full head of hair at 56 and his father didn't lose his until his 50's, and my Grampa on my mother's side is 86 with a minor bald spot and a receding hairline. My Uncles on my mother's side lost their hair later in life, around mid-thirties, and I just found out that one of them had Hair Transplants. So, I always thought I was pretty set when it came to my hair, and I always appreciated it and enjoyed it.

Everyone thought I was crazy when I'd ask if it looked thinner, and until very recently did a close friend finally confess that yes, she could tell a difference. With outside confirmation, and finally not thinking I was crazy, I went to my doctor and he confirmed that my WHOLE CROWN was thinning. He then prescribed me Propecia, and I'm aware of the side affects and haven't experienced any and it's been almost a month. BUT I was starting to notice A LOT more scalp in the back of my head, at first (before Propecia) it was just the top I was concerned with. Now, I've read some stories on shedding, is this true?? I don't have anyone else to ask about this so I'd greatly appreciate some help!!

Thanks!!

Glad to hear you caught MPB at an early stage. If the Finasteride (Propecia) works well for you, maybe you'll maintain and thicken what you have.........maybe even regrow some .

Don't worry about a shed even if you experience it...........I'd venture to guess more than 50% do not experience it. A shed, is merely a more than normal amount of your hair entering the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle. At any given time, 10% of the hair you have is in telogen. Sometimes, Fin kicks in say up to 25% or more in telogen at once thus a "shed" is perceived. Telogen lasts 6 weeks so even if you shed it will start coming back in short order, hopefully stronger and thicker since the Fin will be blocking the DHT attacking the MPB-susceptible hair.

Peace,