Increased sex drive with finasteride

[begstealborrow]

I started taking generic finasteride in April. Had a few side effects to start (pain in tescticles, thinned ejaculate).

Was pretty sure that for about 3/4 months it seemed to have a positive effect. However lately Im not sure, had a bit of shed, buzzed it and it looks thinner than ever.

However I also have noticed that I have since I started a much higher sex drive.

I know this is a recognised side effect, but im wondering how (if finasteride can raise testosterone levels) this relates to it actually working for hairloss.

I.e. what is the relationship between DHT and general testosterone levels?

Thanks
BSB

 

[threats77]

its all in yer head....ive been taking finasteride for awhile and my sex drive hasnt been affected

as to yer question..i have no clue..i just think its all in yer head..just take the pill and not worry

 

[Bryan]

I.e. what is the relationship between DHT and general testosterone levels?

I have a study in which testosterone and DHT levels were measured in a group of men before-and-after castration for prostate cancer. Interestingly, serum testosterone levels dropped by around 90% - 95%, but serum DHT levels dropped by only about 70% (on average, of course). That would appear to me to indicate that the main limiting factor for DHT production is not the availability of testosterone, but the availablity of 5a-reductase (the enzyme that performs that chemical conversion).

 

[begstealborrow]

Okay - so that study would imply that anything which inhibits 5a-reductase would be successful at stopping hairloss. How big was the study?

Still, my question is how do DHT and normal 'testosterone' interrlate. I was initially under the impression they were effectively the same thing? I.e. if finasteride were to raise my testosterone levels, it must be inherently raising my DHT levels?

Thanks
BSB