How common is the gyno side effect of finasteride?

[PappinAce]

I just started taking finasteride and my dermatologist mentioned that some men come back after 10 years of use with cases of gyno. I would imagine that we don't have much data on this because it would have to be such a long-term study; has Propecia and the like been that common in the past decade?

This one is kind of freaking me out. Gynecomastia won't just go away if you discontinue the drug. I could be fine for 6-7 years of taking it, but to keep my hair I will have to continue, and the possibility of eventually having this condition will always be at the back of my mind. You are messing with your hormonal balances by taking finasteride, so eventually SOMETHING has to happen, right? Or are there any patients who take finasteride long-term with none of these extreme side effects?

Also, is gyno something you notice gradually? Like, you don't just wake up one morning with man boobs; I would assume that you notice some tenderness there and puffy nipples. If something like that happens, it would theoretically not get any worse if you immediately discontinue the drug, right?

PS: I'm using generic finasteride from the wal-mart pharmacy. Hard to believe that such a tiny thing can have such an effect! After cutting it into fourths, it's like a speck of dust. I feel like I'm swallowing nothing :wow:

 

[g.i joey]

I'd say the amount of gyno u get can vary from person to person on finasteride. This is all due to the 15% hike in estrogen you get from taking finasteride at the 1mg dose. Some people will get solid gyno tissue and some may get just a bit of fat storage in the chest area which may become. Very stubborn to burn off. I personally got gyno from the 1mg dose(given I am about 220 pounds and don't always eat the healthiest, but luckily followed a protocol a month after and quit finasteride for 2 months , dropped about ten pounds and managed to lose the extra fat and tissue. Unfortunately I am left with 2 little glands under each nipple about the size of a pea, but there is no cosmetic difference of how my chest was pre-finasteride. I now take .75 eod with no problems whatsoever.

The amount of side effects and the severity of the ones listed on the
Panphlet really vary from person to person.

My opinion is that people who get gyno years after finasteride have a sudden lifestyle change (less eccercise, more junk food etc) which could just tip the scale with finasteride and result in gyno.

You shouldn't worry though you'll definitely feel strange in the chest area before you develop any real tissue. I was in denial for 2 months until I treated my gyno. Also, one thing thay just helps is keep yourself active and in shape, it is definately a preventative measure. Good luck!

 

[Dench57]

Hard to believe that such a tiny thing can have such an effect! After cutting it into fourths, it's like a speck of dust. I feel like I'm swallowing nothing :wow:

I used to think that myself. Felt completely harmless at the time!

 

[thedarkcolor]

I used to think that myself. Felt completely harmless at the time!

Until it wreaks havoc on your endocrine system and sends you into a hyper-androgenic state where you were worse off now than previously....

 

[abcdefg]

Until it wreaks havoc on your endocrine system and sends you into a hyper-androgenic state where you were worse off now than previously....

Although evidence suggests the vast majority of the time that does not happen. There are men on propecia for 15+ years that are still keeping hair and have no major issues. It is possible though yes.