Dutasteride results, month by month: what 418 people reported
Dutasteride (Avodart) blocks both forms, type 1 and type 2, of the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone behind male pattern hair loss. This page collects 531 progress reports by 418 people on r/tressless (2016–2026) who posted their own results after a stated time on dutasteride, 168 of them with photos, and counts what they said about it. First: what its US label and the published trials say.
One thing to know first: 166 of the 418 people said they switched from finasteride. People who move on to dutasteride are often the ones finasteride didn't satisfy, so these reports aren't a fair head-to-head with the finasteride results.
What the label says
AVODART (dutasteride) 0.5 mg capsules: US prescribing information
Waylis Therapeutics LLC · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2025 · The manufacturer's US label (SPL version 4, effective 2025-03-12). Approved only for an enlarged prostate (BPH) in men; it does not mention hair loss at all. Side-effect rates come from three 2-year placebo-controlled trials in over 4,300 men with BPH aged 47 to 94 (mean 66), so they may not match younger men taking it for hair loss. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.
- In the US, Avodart is approved to treat an enlarged prostate (BPH) in men, not hair loss. “AVODART is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate”
- The most common side effects, more frequent than on placebo, are impotence, lower sex drive, ejaculation problems and breast changes. “The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥1% of subjects treated with AVODART and more commonly than in subjects treated with placebo, are impotence, decreased libido, ejaculation disorders, and breast disorders.”
- In the first 6 months, impotence was reported by 4.7% on Avodart vs 1.7% on placebo; in later half-years the rates were close to placebo (1.4% vs 1.5%, 1.0% vs 0.5%, 0.8% vs 0.9%). “Impotencea AVODART 4.7% 1.4% 1.0% 0.8% Placebo 1.7% 1.5% 0.5% 0.9%”
- Decreased sex drive in the first 6 months: 3.0% on Avodart vs 1.4% on placebo. “Decreased libidoa AVODART 3.0% 0.7% 0.3% 0.3% Placebo 1.4% 0.6% 0.2% 0.1%”
- Ejaculation problems in the first 6 months: 1.4% on Avodart vs 0.5% on placebo. “Ejaculation disordersa AVODART 1.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.1% Placebo 0.5% 0.3% 0.1% 0.0%”
- Breast disorders (breast tenderness and enlargement) were reported by 0.5% to 1.1% on Avodart per half-year vs 0.1% to 0.3% on placebo. “Breast disordersb AVODART 0.5% 0.8% 1.1% 0.6% Placebo 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1%”
- The label says these sexual side effects may continue after stopping, and that dutasteride's role in that is unknown. “These sexual adverse reactions are associated with dutasteride treatment (including monotherapy and combination with tamsulosin). These adverse reactions may persist after treatment discontinuation. The role of dutasteride in this persistence is unknown.”
- In the placebo-controlled trials, 4% on Avodart and 3% on placebo stopped because of side effects. “Trial withdrawal due to adverse reactions occurred in 4% of subjects receiving AVODART and 3% of subjects receiving placebo in placebo-controlled trials with AVODART.”
- Dutasteride's half-life is about 5 weeks. “The terminal elimination half-life of dutasteride is approximately 5 weeks at steady state.”
- Because of that long half-life, blood levels stay detectable for up to 4 to 6 months after the last dose. “Due to the long half-life of dutasteride, serum concentrations remain detectable (greater than 0.1 ng/mL) for up to 4 to 6 months after discontinuation of treatment.”
- Men on Avodart should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their last dose, so it can't reach a pregnant woman through a transfusion. “Men being treated with AVODART should not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed following their last dose. The purpose of this deferred period is to prevent administration of dutasteride to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.”
- Women who are or may be pregnant should not handle the capsules: dutasteride is absorbed through the skin and can harm a male fetus. “AVODART capsules should not be handled by women who are pregnant or may be pregnant. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and could result in unintended fetal exposure and potential risk to a male fetus.”
- Avodart roughly halves PSA (the prostate-cancer blood test) within 3 to 6 months. “In clinical trials, AVODART reduced serum PSA concentration by approximately 50% within 3 to 6 months of treatment.”
- For a man on it 3 months or more, a single PSA value should be doubled before comparing it with normal ranges. “To interpret an isolated PSA value in a man treated with AVODART for 3 months or more, the PSA value should be doubled for comparison with normal values in untreated men.”
- In a 4-year trial in men aged 50 to 75, high-grade prostate cancer was found in 1.0% on Avodart vs 0.5% on placebo. “there was an increased incidence of Gleason score 8-10 prostate cancer compared with men taking placebo (AVODART 1.0% versus placebo 0.5%)”
- Depressed mood is listed among the label's post-approval reports. “Depressed mood.”
- After 1 and 2 weeks on 0.5 mg a day, median blood DHT was down 85% and 90%. “After 1 and 2 weeks of daily dosing with dutasteride 0.5 mg, median serum DHT concentrations were reduced by 85% and 90%, respectively.”
The label's side-effect rates come from prostate trials in men aged 47 to 94, not from young men taking it for hair, and it says nothing about hair loss. If your mood changes on any medication, talk to a doctor.
What the trials found
A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia
Gubelin Harcha W, Barboza Martínez J, Tsai TF, Katsuoka K, Kawashima M, Tsuboi R, Barnes A, Ferron-Brady G, Chetty D · J Am Acad Dermatol, 2014 · Randomized phase III trial: 917 men aged 20 to 50 with male pattern hair loss got dutasteride 0.02, 0.1 or 0.5 mg a day, finasteride 1 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. Three of the nine authors are from GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development (GSK makes Avodart); funding is not stated in the abstract. Only 24 weeks long. Abstract only (the full text on jaad.org blocked automated fetching).
- 917 men were randomized to one of three dutasteride doses, finasteride 1 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. “Men aged 20 to 50 years with androgenetic alopecia were randomized to receive dutasteride (0.02, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/d), finasteride (1 mg/d), or placebo for 24 weeks.”
- Hair count and thickness rose with the dutasteride dose. “Hair count and width increased dose dependently with dutasteride.”
- Dutasteride 0.5 mg beat both finasteride 1 mg and placebo on hair count, hair width and a panel's rating of frontal photos at 24 weeks. “Dutasteride 0.5 mg significantly increased hair count and width in a 2.54-cm diameter and improved hair growth (frontal view; panel photographic assessment) at week 24 compared with finasteride (P = .003, P = .004, and P = .002, respectively) and placebo (all P < .001).”
- The number and severity of side effects were similar across the groups. “The number and severity of adverse events were similar among treatment groups.”
- The authors note the study lasted only 24 weeks. “The study was limited to 24 weeks.”
- Three authors list GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development as their affiliation. “(7)GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. (8)GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. (9)GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, Singapore.”
The importance of dual 5alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride
Olsen EA, Hordinsky M, Whiting D, Stough D, Hobbs S, Ellis ML, Wilson T, Rittmaster RS; Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team · J Am Acad Dermatol, 2006 · Randomized placebo-controlled dose-ranging trial: 416 men aged 21 to 45 got dutasteride 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg, finasteride 5 mg (the prostate dose, not the 1 mg hair-loss dose) or placebo for 24 weeks. Funding and conflicts are not stated in the abstract. Abstract only (the full text on jaad.org blocked automated fetching).
- 416 men were randomized to four dutasteride doses, finasteride 5 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. “Four hundred sixteen men, 21 to 45 years old, were randomized to receive dutasteride 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg, finasteride 5 mg, or placebo daily for 24 weeks.”
- Hair counts rose with the dutasteride dose; the highest dose (2.5 mg) beat finasteride at 12 and 24 weeks. “Dutasteride increased target area hair count versus placebo in a dose-dependent fashion and dutasteride 2.5 mg was superior to finasteride at 12 and 24 weeks.”
- Scalp and blood DHT fell, and testosterone rose, with higher dutasteride doses. “Scalp and serum dihydrotestosterone levels decreased, and testosterone levels increased, in a dose-dependent fashion with dutasteride.”
- The authors note the study lasted only 24 weeks. “The study was limited to 24 weeks.”
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily in male patients with male pattern hair loss: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study
Eun HC, Kwon OS, Yeon JH, Shin HS, Kim BY, Ro BI, Cho HK, Sim WY, Lew BL, Lee WS, Park HY, Hong SP, Ji JH · J Am Acad Dermatol, 2010 · Korean randomized, double-blind phase III trial: 153 men aged 18 to 49 got dutasteride 0.5 mg or placebo daily for 6 months. Funding and conflicts are not stated in the abstract. Only 6 months long. Abstract only (the full text on jaad.org blocked automated fetching).
- 153 men were randomized to dutasteride 0.5 mg or placebo for 6 months. “A total of 153 men, 18 to 49 years old, were randomized to receive 0.5 mg of dutasteride or placebo daily for 6 months.”
- After 6 months hair count rose by 12.2 hairs per cm² on dutasteride vs 4.7 on placebo, a statistically significant difference. “Mean change of hair counts from baseline to 6 months after treatment start was an increase of 12.2/cm(2) in dutasteride group and 4.7/cm(2) in placebo group and this difference was statistically significant (P = .0319).”
- Patients themselves, investigators and a photo panel all rated dutasteride better than placebo. “Dutasteride showed significantly higher efficacy than placebo group by subject self-assessment and by investigator and panel photographic assessment.”
- Side effects did not differ much between the groups. “There was no major difference in adverse events between two groups.”
The efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhou Z, Song S, Gao Z, Wu J, Ma J, Cui Y · Clin Interv Aging, 2019 · Meta-analysis of three randomized trials (576 men) comparing dutasteride with finasteride over 24 weeks; two of the three are the Gubelin Harcha and Olsen trials above. Short-term only. Full text read. No specific funding; authors report no conflicts of interest.
- Three trials with 576 men were pooled. “Three articles including 576 participants which compared dutasteride with finasteride were selected for our analysis.”
- Dutasteride produced a larger rise in total hair count than finasteride (pooled mean difference 28.57; the paper does not state the unit). “the MD was 28.57 and 95% CI was 18.75–38.39 (P<0.00001). Hence, this result suggested that dutasteride showed significant increase in the total hair count compared with finasteride.”
- On sexual side effects (libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation) the two drugs did not differ significantly. “Considering possible sexual dysfunction, mainly including altered libido, ED, and ejaculation disorders, the dutasteride group showed no statistical differences compared with the finasteride group.”
- The authors say they cannot judge long-term efficacy or tolerability. “We could not infer the long-term efficacy and tolerance of dutasteride and finasteride, and selection bias and publication bias may affect the final results of our study.”
- No specific funding. “This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.”
- No conflicts of interest declared. “The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.”
Relative Efficacy of Minoxidil and the 5-α Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment of Male Patients: A Network Meta-analysis
Gupta AK, Venkataraman M, Talukder M, Bamimore MA · JAMA Dermatol, 2022 · Network meta-analysis of 23 studies of minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride monotherapy in men, comparing treatments partly through indirect comparisons rather than head-to-head trials. Outcomes are hair counts at 24 and 48 weeks. Authors report no conflicts of interest. Abstract only (PMC holds only the abstract).
- 23 studies were included. “23 studies were eligible for quantitative analyses.”
- At 24 weeks, dutasteride 0.5 mg a day gave the biggest increase in total hair count, 7.1 hairs per cm² more than finasteride 1 mg. “The greatest increase in total hair count at 24 weeks (ie, first end point) was with 0.5 mg/d of dutasteride, which was significantly more efficacious than 1 mg/d of finasteride (mean difference, 7.1 hairs/cm2; 95% CI, 5.1-9.3 hairs/cm2)”
- At 48 weeks, finasteride 5 mg a day gave the biggest increase in total hair count. “The greatest increase in total hair count at 48 weeks (ie, third end point) was with 5 mg/d of finasteride”
- No conflicts of interest reported. “Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.”
Comparison of oral minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride for treating androgenetic alopecia
Gupta AK, Talukder M, Williams G · J Dermatolog Treat, 2022 · Narrative review (not a new study). One author is affiliated with the Farjo Hair Institute, a hair transplant clinic; funding and conflicts are not stated in the abstract. Abstract only.
- Oral dutasteride is not FDA-approved for hair loss but is used off-label; Japan and South Korea have approved 0.5 mg a day for male pattern hair loss. “While oral finasteride (1 mg/d) is an FDA-approved treatment for male AGA, oral minoxidil and oral dutasteride are not approved yet. However, clinicians have been increasingly using these two drugs off-label for hair loss. Recently, Japan and South Korea have approved oral dutasteride (0.5 mg/d) for male AGA.”
- The authors' probable efficacy ranking puts dutasteride 0.5 mg first, ahead of finasteride and oral minoxidil. “A probable efficacy ranking, in decreasing order, is - dutasteride 0.5 mg/d, finasteride 5 mg/d, minoxidil 5 mg/d, finasteride 1 mg/d, followed by minoxidil 0.25 mg/d.”
- Finasteride and dutasteride are associated with sexual dysfunction and neuropsychiatric side effects. “oral finasteride and dutasteride are associated with sexual dysfunction and neuropsychiatric side effects.”
- Dutasteride's half-life is about 5 weeks, against about 4.5 hours for finasteride. “The average plasma half-lives of minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride are ∼4 h, ∼4.5 h, and ∼5 weeks, respectively.”
Mesotherapy With Dutasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Study in Real Clinical Practice
Saceda-Corralo D, Moustafa F, Moreno-Arrones Ó, Jaén-Olasolo P, Vañó-Galván S, Camacho F · J Drugs Dermatol, 2022 · Retrospective multicentre review of 541 men and women given dutasteride scalp injections (mesotherapy) in clinical practice, with at least 6 months of follow-up. No control group, and response to mesotherapy alone could be judged in only 86 patients. Funding and conflicts are not stated in the abstract. Abstract only.
- 541 patients were included; injections were most often given every 3 months in the first year. “A total of 541 patients were included. The commonest approach during the first year was to perform the treatment every 3 months.”
- Response to mesotherapy alone could be assessed in only 86 patients (15.9%) after a year; most improved, and 33 of them (38.4%) markedly. “Response to the mesotherapy in monotherapy could be assessed in 86 patients (15.9%) after one year. Most of them presented clinical improvement, being a marked improvement in 33 patients (38.4%).”
- Pain was the most common side effect (45.5%); no serious or sexual side effects were detected. “Pain was the most frequent side effect of the treatment (246 patients, 45.5%). No serious or sexual adverse events were detected.”
Quotes are copied from the abstracts (PubMed) and open-access full text (PubMed Central), checked 17 Oct 2026. Things to weigh: the hair trials ran 24 weeks to 6 months, so they say nothing about the long run; the 2014 trial has authors from the maker's company (GlaxoSmithKline); most sources here are abstracts only. The injection study had no comparison group.
How people described their results, by time on dutasteride
Each person counts once per time bracket (their latest report in it). 226 of the 418 people also used minoxidil and 59 still took finasteride alongside it, so many of these are not dutasteride-only results; the next section splits them.
- saw regrowth or thicker hair
- said their hair was holding (no further loss)
- said it was still getting worse
- didn’t say, or asked others to judge
Read with care: these are people who chose to post, in a hair-loss community. People who see regrowth like to show it, and people who gave up often stop posting, so the shares are not success rates. From 6 months on, a larger share describe their hair as still getting worse here than on the finasteride page; with so many switchers, that says more about who takes dutasteride than about the drug.
By what else they used (6 months or more)
One report per person, their latest at 6 months or more on dutasteride.
| What they used | People | regrowth | holding | worse | unclear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutasteride capsules (or form not stated), no minoxidil | 109 | 21% | 9% | 44% | 26% |
| Dutasteride capsules (or form not stated) + minoxidil | 108 | 25% | 10% | 31% | 34% |
| Switched from finasteride (any form) | 100 | 19% | 11% | 45% | 25% |
This compares groups of people who posted, not treatments in a trial: who adds minoxidil, or chooses a different form, differs in age, hair loss and how long they had been losing hair.
Side effects people mentioned
Share of people whose progress report mentions having it (latest report each). People mention side effects when they matter to them, and people who stopped early because of side effects rarely post a progress report, so these are not frequencies from a study.
| Mentioned | Everyone (418) | Capsules or not stated (376) | Topical (38) |
|---|---|---|---|
| shedding (the “dread shed”) | 22% | 23% | 16% |
| sexual (libido, erections, ejaculation) | 5% | 6% | 0% |
| other (tiredness, skin, testicular ache, etc.) | 3% | 3% | 0% |
| mood (low mood, anxiety, brain fog) | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| breast tenderness or swelling | 1% | 1% | 0% |
The same people, later
16 people posted an early report (under 6 months) and a later one (9 months or more, at least 3 months after). Early on, 25% described regrowth; in their later report 31% did, 13% said it was holding and 31% said it was getting worse.
People happy with their progress are more likely to post an update, so this group leans positive.
“Since adding dut I have recessed much faster than before, but there has been no shedding.”
4 months in (reddit, May 2025)“my hairline is still continuing to thin and recede”
Same person, 18 months in (reddit, Jul 2026)“Im 5 minths in and making good progress everywhere else”
5 months in (reddit, Aug 2025)“Ive been on dut and topical min for about 9 months and have seen some decent improvement.”
Same person, 9 months in (reddit, Jan 2026)“4 months ago started dutasteride, and my hair is just getting thinner and hair fall more intense”
4 months in (reddit, Jun 2024)“no 5ar blocker has made significant change at all, hairloss keeps going at the same rate, or even faster now”
Same person, 2 years in (reddit, Oct 2025)“Up to now I was experienced normal rate of recession which I had on fin.”
3 months in (reddit, Oct 2024)“Towards the last few months on dut hairloss accelerated significantly”
Same person, 9 months in (reddit, Feb 2025)“I started oral min about a month after dut, and it definitely grew baby hairs which have since thickened”
5 months in (reddit, Nov 2022)“Hair has filled in more on the top but particularly the crown, surprised about that.”
Same person, 9 months in (reddit, Mar 2023)“has the switch from topical min and oral fin to dut and oral min obliterated my hairline ?”
5 months in (reddit, Jun 2022)“It slows down the loss for awhile, but eventually it catches back up”
Same person, 3 years in (reddit, Feb 2023)“my hair is definitely thicker and that has contributed to it looking darker”
5 months in (reddit, May 2022)“Overall tho, no complaints - much better than it was this time last year.”
Same person, 11 months in (reddit, Nov 2022)“sadly, my hairline has been straight up massacred by Dutasteride”
5 months in (reddit, Dec 2020)“my hairline went back considerably and my hair is overall so much thinner”
Same person, 10 months in (reddit, May 2021)
When people stopped
6 people posted about their hair after they stopped dutasteride, too few to say much: 3 said they lost hair or their gains, 0 that it held, 1 that it was still fine or better, and 2 didn't say. 0 of them mention sexual side effects and 0 mood side effects they had had.
“So after being on dut and oral min for 4_5 months i just switched back to 1mg fin and 5ml 5% topical min daily and it's been almost 6 months and no improvement”
6 months after switching back to fin and topical min (reddit, Oct 2025; used it 5 months)“I could already start seeing/feeling my hair gain more volume”
(Update) 1 week later after switching back from Dutasteride to Finasteride (reddit, Jan 2025)“I took 0.5mg every day, I did not sleep or otherwise I woke up several times in the night”
Blood test on duta vs blood test 2 month after stopping duta . (reddit, Jun 2023)“after 8 months I started getting testicular pain and I stopped it.”
25 years old and fin and min are not stopping hair loss. Should I go for RU vs pyri vs topical dutasteride? (reddit, Mar 2023; used it 8 months)
In their own words, by time on dutasteride
under 2 months
“I’ve noticed my hairline looks worse, especially at the front”
My hairline is getting worse on dutasteride. I’ve been on dutasteride 0.5mg for about 1 month (reddit, May 2026; 4 weeks, with minoxidil; worse)“Been on dutasteride for 1.5 months and i am shedding like crazy”
Been on dutasteride for 1.5 months and i am shedding like crazy (reddit, Apr 2025; 7 weeks, with minoxidil; unclear)“Then out of nowhere noticeably more comes out.”
Shedding after 2 weeks on dutasteride? (reddit, Feb 2025; 2 weeks; unclear)“I lost a HUGE amount of hair in the last 2 weeks”
Please help I’m freaking out. Switched from 2.5 years on topical finasteride to topical dutasteride and lost a massive amount of hair in 2 weeks. (reddit, Sept 2024; 2 weeks, topical, with minoxidil; worse)“I’m now 1 month into dutasteride 0.5mg/day and my hair has thinned significantly on my scalp”
1 month on dutasteride and my hair has thinned all over. Did anyone else experience this? Did you eventually see positive results? (reddit, Apr 2024; 4 weeks; worse)“now just 5 weeks on 5 mg oral minoxidil and 1 mg oral dutasteride and i can see 100s of baby hairs around a full 0.5 cm below hairline”
i got more results 1 month 5 mg oral minoxidil and 1 mg dutasteride then i did 6 months on finasteride and topical minoxidil (reddit, Feb 2024; 5 weeks, with minoxidil; regrowth)
2–3 months
“I swear my actual hairline is improving but now have noticed an equal shed over most of my melon”
3 Month Shed from .5 Dut update (reddit, May 2026; 3 months; regrowth)“now dut and fin for 2 months at 2.5 mg of dut a day and maybe 99% stopped shedding”
No hair shedding after 2 months on DUT (reddit, Sept 2025; 2 months; holding)“I do have new vellus and a smaller amount of terminal/dark hairs at the temples, even the front (near forehead).”
[30M] Regenera Activ (7 Weeks) + Topical Dutasteride/Minoxidil (12 Weeks) (reddit, Sept 2025; 3 months, topical, with minoxidil; regrowth; photos on reddit)“On dut 0.5 and min 2.5 every day for 3 months and I have lost a lot of density and thickness”
3 month update of dutasteride- shedding (reddit, May 2025; 3 months, with minoxidil; worse)“Now, I feel like my hair is going downhill slowly since last winter”
3 months on dut after ~2 years of fin. Advice needed. (reddit, May 2025; 3 months; worse)“Now I noticed roughly shedding and I’m terrifying from losing results”
22 years old, Male losing the progress. (reddit, Apr 2025; 3 months, with minoxidil; worse)
4–5 months
“I noticed a lot of regrowth and improvement especially around my hairline”
5 months on dut and topical min, great early results but progress slowed down recently (reddit, Jul 2026; 5 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)“Hair loss is still consistent. Getting so much thinner.”
Am I just cooked? Fin for like 6 years and now 4 months on dut absolutely no change. (reddit, Jul 2026; 4 months; worse)“I have seen some roots turn black and alot darker giving me some confidence”
5 months on dut Needing advice on timelines any advice appreciated (reddit, Jul 2026; 5 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)“all the hair that’s falling out is weak but long, and the ends are white”
I’ve been using topical dutasteride for 5 months but still have a problem (reddit, May 2026; 5 months, topical; unclear)“Ive been on dut for 5 months now and haven't seen any regrowth or thickening.”
Regrowth or more loss? 5 months on dutastride (reddit, Jan 2026; 5 months, with minoxidil; unclear)“the only noticeable progression I've had so far is the increase on density alone”
Normal progress on 5 months of dutasteride ? (reddit, Oct 2025; 5 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)
6–8 months
“I stopped shedding completely around months 3 and 4 but have started shedding again.”
I've been on Dutasteride at x3 a week for almost 7 months now and have started shedding again. I this normal? (reddit, Jul 2026; 7 months; unclear)“Dut had turned off all my shedding before month 5”
Suddenly shedding lots of short hairs?? 7 months on Dut (reddit, May 2026; 7 months; unclear)“I saw some improvement initially, but now the progress seems to have slowed down”
I started using topical minoxidil along with dutasteride 8 months ago. I saw some improvement initially, but now the progress seems to have slowed down, even though I continue derma rolling every weekend. Should I switch to oral minoxidil, or should I take oral minoxidil in the morning and topical m (reddit, Apr 2026; 8 months, with minoxidil; unclear)“i have experienced shedding basically throughout the full time”
8 months on dutasteride and currently worst shed yet (reddit, Apr 2026; 8 months; unclear)“My hair is worse now than it was before I was using it.”
It's over- 8 months in & I've got 0 progress from Dutasteride (reddit, Feb 2026; 8 months, with minoxidil; worse)“I’m 6 months on dut but still losing hair everyday”
6 months on dut, is this normal? (reddit, Jan 2026; 6 months; worse)
9–11 months
“have just been consistently losing hair the whole time and my hair has never looked so terrible”
anyone go below baseline and not recover until ~12 months on Dut? (reddit, May 2026; 9 months; worse)“You can visibly see my hair is healthier”
Dutasteride 1mg + oral min 2.5 mg for 10 months (pics in replies ) (reddit, Apr 2026; 10 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)“Ive been on dut and topical min for about 9 months and have seen some decent improvement.”
Does switching from topical min to oral min cause a shed? Im like 9 months on topical and considering switching to oral but Im concerned. (reddit, Jan 2026; 9 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)“I tried fin for 13 months then switched to dut and its been 9 months on dut but lost a lot of ground on the hairline”
“I think that my left corner is starting to get denser.”
9 Months in w Dut and topical min 5% and finaly some improvements?! (reddit, Apr 2025; 9 months, with minoxidil; regrowth)“Towards the last few months on dut hairloss accelerated significantly”
9 months and no result on dut -still receding (reddit, Feb 2025; 9 months, with minoxidil; worse)
1–2 years
“my hairline is still continuing to thin and recede”
Still receding on dutasteride after 18 months (reddit, Jul 2026; 18 months, with minoxidil; worse)“my hair has become DRASTICALLY thinner”
Has anyone seen progress on their first regrowth on after 1 year on dutasteride? (reddit, Jul 2026; 12 months, with minoxidil; worse)“Been on it nearly for a year and worse than baseline, 0.5 mg daily”
Is 1 year on dutasteride enough? (reddit, Jul 2026; 12 months, with minoxidil; worse)“I've been on Dutasteride for a year, and I've gotten a decent amount of regroth in the crown area”
Anyone on Dutasteride only for 1-2 years, then added Minoxidil - big difference? (reddit, Apr 2026; 12 months; regrowth)“Almost 2 Years Dutasteride, Still Worsening”
Scalp Biopsy Results - Almost 2 Years Dutasteride, Still Worsening (reddit, Aug 2025; 23 months; worse)“Norwood 3 and hairline is still receding, but I’ve got enough coverage to comb it forward”
Blood Results - 2 years on Finasteride, 1 year on dutasteride (reddit, Mar 2025; 12 months; worse)
2 years or more
“I really thought dutasteride and minoxidil would at least regrow a little bit but I’ve gotten absolutely nothing.”
Horribly depressed: On dutasteride and topical minoxidil for two years, crown balding not stopping or reversing (reddit, May 2026; 2 years, with minoxidil; worse)“my hair seems to still be losing density at an alarming rate”
Dut and topical min for 8 years, losing ground even after adding oral min 6 months ago and no more shedding (reddit, Apr 2026; 8 years, with minoxidil; worse)“3 year DUT + oral Min update (very fine hair structure). Super happy!”
[M40] 3 year DUT + oral Min update (very fine hair structure). Super happy! (reddit, Mar 2026; 3 years, with minoxidil; regrowth; photos on reddit)“after that I had lots of stabilization and small regrowth on the hairline”
Been on Dut for 2 1/2 years. AMA (reddit, Nov 2025; 2.5 years; regrowth)“Starting to notice diffuse thinning after being on DUT for 5 years”
Starting to notice diffuse thinning after being on DUT for 5 years... (reddit, Oct 2025; 5 years; worse)“I kept losing ground (slow, but still losing)”
Still losing ground on dut daily 3 years (reddit, Oct 2025; 3.9 years; worse)
Recent progress posts with photos
- Results after 1 year of treatment (21 M) (May 2026; 12 months; unclear)
- [M40] 3 year DUT + oral Min update (very fine hair structure). Super happy! (Mar 2026; 3 years; regrowth)
- Progress over 3 years of thinning (Mar 2026; 3 years; unclear)
- 6 months on Dut and a year on Oral Min (Oct 2025; 6 months; unclear)
- M21, 2 months on dutasteride 0.5mg after finesteride 1mg didn’t work for 1.5 years of use (Oct 2025; 2 months; unclear)
- 3 years of dutasteride results (red shirt = before / black shirt = after). Opinion on results? (Sept 2025; 3 years; worse)
- [30M] Regenera Activ (7 Weeks) + Topical Dutasteride/Minoxidil (12 Weeks) (Sept 2025; 3 months, topical; regrowth)
- 1 year year update (.5 mg Dut, 2.5 mg OM) (Feb 2025; 12 months; regrowth)
- 3 Years on Fin, 1 Year on Dut. (Nov 2024; 12 months; unclear)
- Before was on finasteride 1.25 + minoxidil 2.5; last 2 months dutasteride .5 + minoxidil 5. Believe I see increased thickening at cowlick??? Is there still hope. (Nov 2024; 2 months; regrowth)
- 1.5 Year Update: 18 Months of 1mg Dutasteride Daily and 2.5-5mg Oral Minoxidil Daily on Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (Oct 2024; 18 months; unclear)
- 9 months progress looks good to me (Aug 2024; 9 months; regrowth)
- 7 months with (0.1%fin, 5%minox topical) and 5 months 0,5mg dut. I dont know it work for me or not . I’m still shedding and i fill my hair is thinner than before (Jul 2024; 5 months; worse)
- 5 months Dut. Update. Regrowth happening slowly. Pic#1 is 1 month. Pic#2 is 5 months (Jul 2024; 5 months; regrowth)
- 1 month hairline results using min and dut (extreme responder) (Feb 2024; 4 weeks, topical; regrowth)
- 13 month update - dut, min, niz, 1.5mm roller (Nov 2023; 13 months; holding)
- 9 month update: Dutasteride 0.5mg and Oral Minoxidil 2.5mg everyday (Nov 2023; 9 months; unclear)
- 2.5 months update (Oral Minoxidil & Dutasteride) (Nov 2023; 3 months; regrowth)
- Shaved hair due to excessive oily and itchy scalp. Been on dutesteride since 2/3 months. Oily/itching is still there. (Sept 2023; 3 months; unclear)
- 20M. 3 months on dutasteride EOD for mainly preventative reasons, slight regrowth, couldn't be happier with my decisions (Jul 2023; 3 months; regrowth)
How this page was made
We took r/tressless posts whose title reads like a progress report with a stated time (“6 months on dut”, “1 year results”), that mention dutasteride in the post or the poster's own comments, and left out transplant posts. Each post was read to note whether it is the poster's own result, how long they had taken dutasteride, capsules, topical or scalp injections, whether they came from finasteride, what else they used, how they described the result and any side effects they said they had. Posts about finasteride or minoxidil results that only mention dutasteride were left out. Posts that mention suicide or self-harm are counted but never quoted or linked. Photos were not judged: the verdict is the poster's own words. Each quote is copied word for word from the post or the poster's comment it links to. Removed posts are left out and usernames are not shown. Data as of Oct 2026.
Next: finasteride results, minoxidil results, minoxidil vs finasteride, the receding-hairline self-check, mature hairline vs receding, the Norwood stages, or, if a transplant is ever the question, the independent doctor directory.
SaveMyHairline is an independent hair transplant doctor directory: published prices, checked credentials and real patient reports, with sources — and no clinic can pay to appear.