‘I can lactate’: Influencers suffer shock side effects from hair regrowth drugs

Influencers are opening up about the unexpected toll of popular hair loss medications, with some reporting depression, mood swings and even lactation as side effects.

The influencer-led boom in hair loss treatments is taking a sharp turn, with some social media stars now opening up about unexpected and unsettling side effects — from depression to lactation.

Aussie fitness influencer Adam Sullivan, who has 757K Instagram followers and founded Evidence Based Training, said he would never touch hair loss medication again after it impacted his mental health.

“I’m not touching them again,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Some people are sweet, some people aren’t. I’ll look at other options.

“I’ve been so consistent with my work, training and mental state the past 10 weeks but this has been absolutely f*****. Feel like I’m on a constant comedown.”

Fitness entrepreneur and founder of Evidence Based Fitness, Adam Sullivan. Picture: Instagram

Sullivan hasn’t specified which medication he took or whether he was paid to promote it, but has been contacted by Confidential.

While flying to Turkey for a hair transplant has become a booming trend, it’s medications that have many men in a chokehold.

Josh Sawyer, a 21-year-old fitness TikToker with 17K followers, said he began lactating after starting a drug.

“I haven’t had any mental side effects,” he told Confidential.

“Physically, there’s only been one. I can lactate. It’s not a listed side effect, but it started when I began taking it.”

Fitness influencer Josh Sawyer has experienced lactating since starting hair loss medication. Picture: Instagram

Sawyer says doctors found no underlying health issues, and despite the strange reaction, he continues to take the medication.

The fitness guru also admitted he would consider a paid promotion, but only if it allows him to be transparent about potential risks.

Fitness influencer Josh Sawyer has experienced lactating since starting hair loss medication. Picture: Instagram

Cardiologist Dr Ross Walker said while the recent surge in reported side effects is concerning, it is important to consider the broader context, particularly how individual biology plays a critical role in how medications affect people.

“Ninety per cent of people can tolerate medications like this with no side effects,” he told Confidential.

“Ten per cent will have some. That doesn’t mean everyone will.

“It’s about your genes interacting with the environment. I see this across the board with many drugs. There’s always a small group who will react badly.”

TikTok fitness creator Jack Clark, who has more than 176K followers, also said he would never take hair loss drugs again, after his own troubling experience.

“I would rather be bald than feel like shit,” he said in a TikTok video.

“Having no libido, being depressed, those things don’t appeal to me. I got off it and slowly started to feel better.”

Clark clarified he is neither pro or anti-drugs, but encourages others to do their own research.

“It’s not for me. I want to feel healthy and feel like a man.”

Clark attributed his hair loss to past steroid use, which is widespread in the fitness community and has clearly impacted many wellness influencers.

After a hair transplant, he is open to another in the future but draws the line at medication.

“If I have to go bald, I’ll go bald. But I’ll cling on to my hair as long as I can.”
NOTE: This article discusses personal experiences and commentary related to hair loss treatments. It is not intended as medical advice. Prescription medications should only be used under the care of a qualified health professional.