I Asked My Urologist If He's Seen Post-finasteride Syndrome

[Kev123]

I'm 5 weeks into using 1mg Finpecia everyday, some times twice a day, especially in the first weeks I popped two 1mg pills a day. I got loss of libido for the first week and a half, it was hard to get hard. In week 3 the loss of libido stopped completely and so far in week 5 i'm back to normal. Hair shed keeps decreasing every week.

 

[hopeforhappiness]

I'm 5 weeks into using 1mg Finpecia everyday, some times twice a day, especially in the first weeks I popped two 1mg pills a day. I got loss of libido for the first week and a half, it was hard to get hard. In week 3 the loss of libido stopped completely and so far in week 5 i'm back to normal. Hair shed keeps decreasing every week.

I would've been very happy to be in your position.

 

[INT]

I would've been very happy to be in your position.

You never know with finasteride. Just because you do not EXPERIENCE side effects does not mean that there is nothing going on. He might be permanently ruining his body in the long run as we speak but not notice it for the next few years.

I am especially curious what will happen when the big wave of seniors will come that have used finasteride for decades, especially when it comes to Alzheimer's disease.

 

[Murkey Thumb]

You need to cease using finasteride entirely don't even micro dose. Ru is a good alternative although we don't really know the long term affects but we know we have other options like PRP, Botzu (soon) S5 cream.

I stopped finasteride and used Ru and soon got myself back to normal using supplements N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin D, & Barroca. The morning wood came back after 2 months and the brain fog disappeared.

 

[abcdefg]

He said that he's seen "tons" of cases, he sees it all the time. People get permanent sexual side effects and he now aggressively counsels people against taking 5ar blockers.

He also told me that he's presenting research at an upcoming conference on finasteride and dutasteride and the global, aggregate, across-the-board reductions in male fertility.

He said it's interesting that there are resemblances with post-SSRI syndrome.

Can your urologist release an alternative drug we could use instead? That would be a lot more helpful

 

[hopeforhappiness]

You need to cease using finasteride entirely don't even micro dose. Ru is a good alternative although we don't really know the long term affects but we know we have other options like PRP, Botzu (soon) S5 cream.

I stopped finasteride and used Ru and soon got myself back to normal using supplements N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin D, & Barroca. The morning wood came back after 2 months and the brain fog disappeared.

Has Ru helped you achieve any regrowth of the more recent hair you've lost ? Does it help you maintain ? I've heard side effects go away after about two days so people can use the full 5% dose or more and just take days off or use it every other day.

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

Can your urologist release an alternative drug we could use instead? That would be a lot more helpful

He does his job and he reports his findings.

There's any number of people on this site doing well without 5ar inhibitors.

 

[Japnicks India]

I’m glad that you’ve brought this issue up because if you complain about finasteride side on the forum, people come hunting you down with a slogan “its in your head mofo”.

Took finasteride for 3 weeks .25mg, developed mild gyno. Been off finasteride, 1-1.5 months fast forward = flat chest. Also it gave me pain in the eyes.

Started topical finasteride, for the first two week my eyes stayed red as if i had done some drugs. It got fine, almost around 25 days into it. I started experiencing ball ache. Gotta continue & see if he works or goes more systematic before i quit.

Honestly everyone has to face the sides as you’re playing with the most important hormone. Thinking that i can get away is foolish.

I believe your derma is right, the sides are not worth the gain. But balding bothers.

 

[Btg]

I’m glad that you’ve brought this issue up because if you complain about finasteride side on the forum, people come hunting you down with a slogan “its in your head mofo”.

Took finasteride for 3 weeks .25mg, developed mild gyno. Been off finasteride, 1-1.5 months fast forward = flat chest. Also it gave me pain in the eyes.

Started topical finasteride, for the first two week my eyes stayed red as if i had done some drugs. It got fine, almost around 25 days into it. I started experiencing ball ache. Gotta continue & see if he works or goes more systematic before i quit.

Honestly everyone has to face the sides as you’re playing with the most important hormone. Thinking that i can get away is foolish.

I believe your derma is right, the sides are not worth the gain. But balding bothers.

try reducing your dose , the way i understand it is you need low topical doses to just block the local 5ars in the scalp.
btw are u using minoxidil ? i sometimes got eye pain after applying much minoxidil

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Has Ru helped you achieve any regrowth of the more recent hair you've lost ? Does it help you maintain ? I've heard side effects go away after about two days so people can use the full 5% dose or more and just take days off or use it every other day.

I haven't had any sides with RU apart from occasional leg ache which could be down to something else. It absorbs really quickly in about an hour so you can get up put it on have your breakfast then have a shower, same in the evening if you want. I have found that it is better for hairline growth & maintenance not so great at mid-scalp and crown. I lost a bit of ground when coming off the finasteride in the crown area but it has stabilised now. It wont regrow hair its just for maintenance, regrowth comes from Minoxidil. I think it is very good at maintenance and yes i take days off.

 

[hopeforhappiness]

I haven't had any sides with RU apart from occasional leg ache which could be down to something else. It absorbs really quickly in about an hour so you can get up put it on have your breakfast then have a shower, same in the evening if you want. I have found that it is better for hairline growth & maintenance not so great at mid-scalp and crown. I lost a bit of ground when coming off the finasteride in the crown area but it has stabilised now. It wont regrow hair its just for maintenance, regrowth comes from Minoxidil. I think it is very good at maintenance and yes i take days off.

Wow this is super encouraging. Can I dm you with just a few more questions about ru and your regimen ?

 

[Armando Jose]

Endocrine. 2018 Apr 19. doi: 10.1007/s12020-018-1593-5. [Epub ahead of print]
Post-finasteride syndrome and post-SSRI sexual dysfunction: two sides of the same coin?
Giatti S1, Diviccaro S1, Panzica G2, Melcangi RC3.
Author information
Abstract
Sexual dysfunction is a clinical condition due to different causes including the iatrogenic origin. For instance, it is well known that sexual dysfunction may occur in patients treated with antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). A similar side effect has been also reported during treatment with finasteride, an inhibitor of the enzyme 5alpha-reductase, for androgenetic alopecia. Interestingly, sexual dysfunction persists in both cases after drug discontinuation. These conditions have been named post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) and post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). In particular, feeling of a lack of connection between the brain and penis, loss of libido and sex drive, difficulty in achieving an erection and genital paresthesia have been reported by patients of both conditions. It is interesting to note that the incidence of these diseases is probably so far underestimated and their etiopathogenesis is not sufficiently explored. To this aim, the present review will report the state of art of these two different pathologies and discuss, on the basis of the role exerted by three different neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin and neuroactive steroids, whether the persistent sexual dysfunction observed could be determined by common mechanisms.

KEYWORDS:
Dopamine; Neuroactive steroids; Serotonin; Sexual behavior

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Wow this is super encouraging. Can I dm you with just a few more questions about ru and your regimen ?

Sure.

 

[JeanLucBB]

You never know with finasteride. Just because you do not EXPERIENCE side effects does not mean that there is nothing going on. He might be permanently ruining his body in the long run as we speak but not notice it for the next few years.

I am especially curious what will happen when the big wave of seniors will come that have used finasteride for decades, especially when it comes to Alzheimer's disease.

If you go bald your body is permanently ruined regardless. Who gives a f*** about longterm effects on neurosteroids of which no one can give a genuine answer as to what they do in a complex system of a human body. In decade long studies if the vast majority aren’t noticing sides, and almost none get sides they didn’t have after two years then you have to seriously consider the known risk/reward. Without finasteride or risking other drugs and their issues you have to consider the benefit of maintaining your hair too in regards to the risk.

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to be thinking about unknown risks that may or may not arise in your senior years while in your twenties and early to mid thirties. Guaranteed risks vs unknown ultra-long term risks with a lack of evidence to form solid conclusions.

 

[INT]

If you go bald your body is permanently ruined regardless.

Nope, just a part of your appearance.

Who gives a f*** about longterm effects on neurosteroids of which no one can give a genuine answer as to what they do in a complex system of a human body.

Just because it is not clear to you does not mean there is no genuine answer. Do more research into the topic.

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to be thinking about unknown risks that may or may not arise in your senior years while in your twenties and early to mid thirties. Guaranteed risks vs unknown ultra-long term risks with a lack of evidence to form solid conclusions.

Research is showing more and more that those unknown risks you refer to might not be unknown for very much longer.

 

[TONSofBODYHAIR]

Almost 2 months off, shriveled testes, huge increase in belly fat and tender nipples, almost complete ED and no libido. f*** me and the rest of this 2% statistic

 

[JeanLucBB]

Nope, just a part of your appearance.



Just because it is not clear to you does not mean there is no genuine answer. Do more research into the topic.



Research is showing more and more that those unknown risks you refer to might not be unknown for very much longer.

At the present moment, it is indeed only conjecture based on limited evidence. Many men have used finasteride for over 15 years with no issues with side effects. This is the majority of long term users Studies based on what patients themselves claim after years and and up to a decade on the drug suggest long term side effects aren’t serious enough to be noticed, as opposed to hairloss which is most certainly noticeable.

My doctor who prescribed finasteride and another I talked to had never come across PFS despite it being one of their most prescribed drugs, both have been GPs for over a decade. Neither believed there are considerable long term side effect issues. Neither had noticed issues with long term use of the drug. You’re talking about a select minority of research and conjecture that isn’t mainstream.

You can’t argue with the probabilities and statistics set out by the current data. If it takes that much searching and research for criticisms of the drug then perhaps long term issues aren’t as serious as hairloss itself. Most certainly someone like yourself who says hairloss is about “only your appearance” lacks the nuance or interest in complex approaches to research to be taken all that seriously.

You cannot separate the purpose and benefits of the drug to the potential and probabilities of side effects. They have to be considered together.

 

[Btg]

Like it or not finasteride is still the best option for hair loss if you consider : effectiveness , cost , how much it interferes with your routine , availability and years of research.
Side effects are definitely possible and in the end it is a matter of weighing the risks and benefits and making your choice .
However persistent pfs sides reported are similar to post SSRI syndrome,afaik hormones always go back to pre finasteride values when stopping so it is possibly a neurosteroid issue , so tapering off finasteride slowly like people do with ssris can reduce the risk

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

My doctor who prescribed finasteride and another I talked to had never come across PFS despite it being one of their most prescribed drugs, both have been GPs for over a decade. Neither believed there are considerable long term side effect issues. Neither had noticed issues with long term use of the drug. You’re talking about a select minority of research and conjecture that isn’t mainstream.

Given that we know that finasteride sides are common, that likely reflects poorly on your doctor. He may not be able to recognize and/or diagnose the symptoms, like a lot of doctors. I will give you two supporting examples to substantiate the plausibility of my argument.

The first is with myself. I've dealt with erectile dysfunction for over ten years. I saw at least 4 doctors, 3 urologists, 5 mental health workers in that span, and ordered at least 5 blood panels meant to be analyzed. Their collective conclusion was that nothing was wrong with me, they were often reluctant to discuss anything, and they would give me irrelevant advice like "use saw palmetto" or "try these v**** tablets". They simply did not know how to recognize ED even though in some cases this was their job. I even saw some of the top sex therapists in the world, at one of the world's top five hospitals, who specialize in this and have for decades, they said that this was due top trust issues or stress or something, I followed their advice for a year and nothing improved. Finally, I was referred to another ED specialist, mentioned in the opening post. I pushed hard for a specific blood test and a specific ultrasound. Both came back mildly positive. I had my penile doppler ultrasound this week and the specialist said "Your issues are not psychosomatic." I am now on two different pills and everything is working fine. All of the previous doctors had no ability to recognize these symptoms because they were dealing from a limited selection of items.

The second is of a female friend of mine. She had issues for years. She was always extremely thin in spite of eating a lot, and she had sleep and heart rate issues. The doctors, multiple doctors, all dismissed her, they told her to relax more. I met her recently and I held her hand for a bit because she was drunk and could not walk in a straight line. Her hand was boiling, literally, it was the hottest hand that I had ever held. I mentioned this to her, and she told me that after TEN YEARS AND COUNTLESS DOCTORS (sound familiar?) she had finally found one willing to test for ... *drumroll* ... thyroid levels. Hers were sky high, she was on a collision course with premature death of heart failure in her 30s. She ended up having her thyroid removed.

So given this objective reality, that the overwhelming majority of doctors have a very hard time with issues similar to PFS, I have no trouble assuming that they cannot recognize PFS itself.

 

[sunchyme1]

f*** doctors

Useless c****