Propecia and Arimidex

kc444 · Mar 21, 2012

Hello,
I got gyno from Propecia, so I began taking ~0.3mg of Arimidex every other day because I'm not going to quit Propecia without a fight. This has eliminated my gyno problem, somewhat surprisingly because of the low dose, and also helped with the sexual side effects. However, I now notice that my skin and hair are producing so much oil that you may soon see $2/gallon gasoline again. I'm also getting a bit of acne on my back. I used to have it every now and then before starting Propecia, but since being on Propecia, it seemed to have cleared up. Now, it is slightly worse than even before I started finasteride. Since acne/oil production and hair loss seem to be correlated in many cases because of the similar mechanisms, is there any reason to suspect that this will make finasteride ineffective? I've seen it discussed that estrogen may have a protective effect on the hair, but I've never really seen any evidence for it. I'll accept a slightly less effective regimen if I have to, but I don't want to completely give up on the benefits of finasteride.

I will be experimenting with lowering the dose until I can get a proper balance and also will be getting a blood test every so often to make sure that my estrogen isn't too low and blood profile is normal.

Bob Chylan · Mar 21, 2012

where are you getting arimidex from? I've never tried it, but my mother is prescribed it due to breast cancer and i hear her complain of the side effects a lot. I am sure she is taking a higher dose than you (for obvious reasons). Seems like a lot of toying around with hormones

berserker69 · Mar 23, 2012

Adex can be really useful, i think that alot of people experience estrogen related side effects from finasteride use which could be prevented by minimising excess aromatisation.

IME it does take some listening to your body as you tweak your dosage to find the level of inhibition that keeps libidio on track....

EG, there was a world of difference between 0.5mg and 0.25mg for me....

I can't comment on sebum production as have always had very dry hair, and whilst prone to occasional greasy skin on my face haven't noticed a correlation with e2..

brsrkr69

MJUK · Mar 27, 2012

I use arimidex to boost my natural testosterone level. It can be prescribed as an off label treatment for hypogondism and is safe to use so long as you don't cut estrogen levels too much. They should not go below 15 pg. Mine were about 30 pg before taking 1mg arimidex EOD and are now about 20 pg which is the sweet spot.

You got gyno because you have high estrogen levels not due propecia. If anything propecia has done you a favour by highlighting the issue early on as high estrogen is very detrimental to male health long-term. Arimidex cut your estrogen level substantially. The reason you have more acne and oil is estrogen is the main feedback to lower testosterone production. By reducing this feedback, your natural testosterone will be up a lot maybe 30-40%. This is good for your overall health, sex life and work outs but bad for your skin as there is more testosterone to convert to DHT in the skin which is the other type of enzyme that propcia does not inhibit. dutasteride inhibits both though. I have had the same problem and am going from propecia to dutasteride which may be something you could try.