Recent Finasteride ED/fatigue

[Futuredoc]

Hi everyone,
Started on finasteride at 1.25mg/day about a month ago. No side effects until last week when my libido and erections were gradually becoming weaker. 4 days ago i had complete impotence. I woke up the next day completely fatigued and decided to stop the pills for the time being. The last 3 days were defined by complete impotence, fatigue, zero libido, and brain fog. Then i got a rush of energy from the increased DHT. I instantly felt alive, had libido, and could achieve/maintain an erection. I woke up this morning with decreased libido/no erection/brain fog so i took about .25mg of finasteride to wean myself off the drug/or hopefully diminish the symptoms. Maybe go .25mg q2days. Any suggestions? This experience will certainly make me connect with my future patients who experience finasteride side effects.

 

[Quantum Cat]

patients? Are you a doctor?

Side effects are more common when you first start taking finasteride but usually go away once your body adjusts to the new DHT level.

Also if you overthink things when you first start, eg. constantly fretting about side effects, you're more likely to experience them. The mind is a powerful thing and the sides we're talking about here - libido, energy levels - are mainly psychological. I've seen this happen to so many people on here - they convince themselves they'll get sides, so they do.

 

[Futuredoc]

In med school right now.

Psychosomatic influences definitely play a part in side effects, but i was hit blindsided by these effects when my mind was completely on my studies/girlfriend. Before the symptoms, I was confident i was going to be side effect free. Great sex one night was followed by feeling asexual the next day with no sign of erection at all. The brain fog has really hit me hard when it comes to studying. Just unfortunate especially when i have important exams coming up.

 

[Quantum Cat]

the stress of exams may be contributing.

by 'brain fog' do you mean you feel like you can't concentrate/ are lethargic?

 

[Futuredoc]

My mind is just not as quick. It feels heavy. Can't concentrate or articulate as well. It's unique. Much different feeling than if i was depressed after a relationship break up. It came suddenly at a time when i was happy and relaxed.

 

[VICREP]

If they continue I suggest you look into getting a blood test on your hormonal panel. If estrogen is in the high end or above of the normal range it could be the culprit.

I once had low libido, poor concentration, depressive symptom etc even though my Test/free Test levels were high. But my bloodwork consistently show elevated E2 (estrogen).

An AI such as aromasin may be in order