This post will be updated regularly as I continue my oral minoxidil journey. I’ll be sharing progress photos, side effects, milestones, and honest updates along the way.
Hair has always been a big part of how I saw myself. Whether it was styling it for photos, trying new products, or simply enjoying a good hair day, I never imagined there would come a time when I would dread looking at my scalp in the mirror.
Yet that’s exactly what happened when I started noticing the signs of androgenic alopecia.
What Is Androgenic Alopecia?
Androgenic alopecia, often referred to as female pattern hair loss, is a genetic condition that causes progressive thinning of the hair over time. Unlike temporary hair shedding conditions such as telogen effluvium, androgenic alopecia doesn’t usually happen overnight. Instead, it develops gradually, making it easy to dismiss the signs in the beginning.
For women, it often presents as:
- A widening parting
- Reduced hair density on the crown
- Increased scalp visibility
- Hair becoming finer and thinner over time
Finally Getting Answers
Looking back, the signs were probably there for years.
I spent a long time convincing myself that my thinning hair was caused by stress, changing hormones, or simply getting older. While those things can certainly contribute to hair shedding, they weren’t the whole story. Then life threw me a particularly stressful period, and the resulting shed hit hard. My hair never seemed to bounce back the way it had before. What was once easy to disguise suddenly became impossible to ignore.
After years of worrying and one major stress-related shed later, I finally went looking for answers and was diagnosed with androgenic alopecia.
Receiving a diagnosis was a strange mix of emotions that goes hand in hand with PCOS. On one hand, it was upsetting to learn that my hair loss wasn’t something that would simply correct itself. On the other, I finally had answers. More importantly, I had a treatment plan.
Why I Chose Oral Minoxidil
When most people think of minoxidil, they think of the topical version that is applied directly to the scalp. While many people see excellent results with topical minoxidil, I knew that applying a treatment once or twice a day for years wasn’t something I would realistically stick to.
After discussing my options with my doctor, I decided to start low-dose oral minoxidil instead. I began taking oral minoxidil on 9 February 2026.
Like many people starting treatment, I had a lot of questions:
- Would it actually work?
- How long would it take to see results?
- Would I experience side effects?
- Was the infamous shedding phase really as bad as people claimed?
The Dreaded Shed
If you’ve spent any amount of time researching minoxidil, you’ve probably come across stories about the dreaded “minoxidil shed.”The idea is simple enough. As minoxidil encourages new growth, older hairs are pushed out of the growth cycle to make way for stronger hairs. Understanding the science behind it didn’t necessarily make it easier emotionally.
When you’ve already been struggling with hair loss, seeing even more hair shed can feel incredibly discouraging. There were definitely moments where I questioned whether I was doing the right thing. One thing I’ve learned throughout this journey is that hair growth requires patience. Unfortunately, patience isn’t always easy when you’re checking your hairline and parting in the mirror every day.
My Experience So Far
Since starting oral minoxidil, I’ve been paying close attention to changes in my hair and scalp. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that progress is rarely dramatic from one day to the next. Hair growth happens slowly, and sometimes it’s only when comparing photos months apart that you realise things are actually improving.
Some things I’ve been monitoring include:
- Changes in shedding
- New baby hairs and regrowth
- Hair density around my parting and crown
- Overall hair thickness
- Side effects and general wellbeing
There have been moments where I’ve felt hopeful and moments where I’ve felt frustrated. I think that’s a normal part of any long-term treatment journey.
Side Effects I Experienced
One of the biggest concerns people have when considering oral minoxidil is the possibility of side effects. Everyone’s experience is different, and what one person experiences may be completely different from someone else’s.
Some commonly reported side effects include:
- Increased body hair growth
- Water retention
- Changes in heart rate
- Headaches
- Dizziness
For me, the most noticeable side effect has definitely been increased hair growth in places other than my scalp.
I’ve developed a lot more peach fuzz on my face, and my chin hairs have decided they’re now on an accelerated growth programme. If I thought I could get away with ignoring them for a few days before, oral minoxidil quickly taught me otherwise.
There was also what I jokingly refer to as the “dread shed down there.” Nobody really talks about this, but when you’re taking a medication designed to influence hair growth, you’re likely to notice changes everywhere, not just on your head. Along with some increased shedding initially, I’ve also noticed more hair growth in that department. Honestly, if the trade-off for healthier hair on my head is a little extra maintenance elsewhere, I’m perfectly okay with that.
On the positive side, there have been some unexpected beauty benefits too.
My eyebrows have become noticeably fuller, and my eyelashes seem longer and thicker than they were before starting treatment. As someone who spent years worrying about thinning hair on my head, fuller brows, better lashes, and hopefully healthier scalp hair feel like a pretty fair trade-off.
For me, the side effects have been manageable and well worth it if it means giving my hair the best chance of recovery.
Of course, everyone’s experience will be different, and it’s important to discuss any concerns or side effects with your healthcare provider.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
Hair loss has taught me a lot about patience, consistency, and managing expectations. If you’re considering treatment for androgenic alopecia, these are some of the lessons I wish I’d known earlier:
Progress Takes Time
Hair grows slowly. It’s easy to become discouraged when you’re not seeing immediate results, but meaningful changes often take months rather than weeks.
Take Photos
Photos have been one of the most valuable tools during my journey. Day-to-day changes are difficult to notice, but comparing photos taken several months apart can reveal progress you might otherwise miss.
Don’t Compare Your Journey to Someone Else’s
Social media is filled with incredible before-and-after transformations, but everyone’s hair loss pattern, genetics, and response to treatment are different.
Consistency Matters
Hair loss treatments generally require long-term commitment. Staying consistent gives you the best chance of seeing results and understanding whether a treatment is working for you.
Where I Am Today
My oral minoxidil journey is still ongoing, and I plan to continue updating this post as time goes on.
While I don’t know exactly what my hair will look like six months or a year from now, I do know that finally seeking help gave me something I had been missing for a long time: hope. Hair loss can impact confidence, self-esteem, and mental wellbeing in ways that people who haven’t experienced it often don’t understand.
If you’re currently dealing with androgenic alopecia, researching treatment options, or considering oral minoxidil, know that you’re not alone.
For me, taking that first step toward getting answers was the hardest part. Everything after that has been a journey of learning, patience, and trusting the process.
