Finasteride side effects?

[Unclethud]

At age 48 PSA numbers started to rise. Biopsy 12 samples taken, one returned A typical.what every that means. Was started on Finasteride. From what i read drug is testosterone blocker also used to slow hair loss on head. Ie male pattern baldness. It never helped the hair on my head. It did shrink prostate and caused incomplete erections.
But i my question is, I was a hairy guy wife loved running her fingers through. Shortly after starting Finasteride I was sheading worse the Golden Retiver. Anyone else experiance this?

[Vvs111]

It’s an enzyme blocker to DHT and other hormones. That will mess up the hormone equilibrium so everyone’s body seems to react differently.

You should probably do a complete thyroid panel. I guess your testosterone could be off but you didn’t provide any info on HRT.

[Unclethud]

Thank you for your respoce. I stop taking that drug 13 years ago. Stopped sheading with discontiuation of drug some regrowth sice then but it will never return to what it was. Funny how it effected arms legs chest belly and back and not my head. Have heath screenings every year. Libid panel is included, but i will have to look at my records. Testosterone has beem checked but not every year. Will have to work on it.
Thank you again.

[Vvs111]

Thank you for your respoce. I stop taking that drug 13 years ago. Stopped sheading with discontiuation of drug some regrowth sice then but it will never return to what it was. Funny how it effected arms legs chest belly and back and not my head. Have heath screenings every year. Libid panel is included, but i will have to look at my records. Testosterone has beem checked but not every year. Will have to work on it.
Thank you again.

Are you concerned with hair growth or other side effects? It’s a nasty drug. I’d check your thyroid and DHT, You can order these tests w/o a doctor in the US.

Finasteride blocks DHT and that is the other “manly” hormone that makes men hairy. You could try a DHT based steroid if you’re not worried about the prostate effects.

[Unclethud]

Thank you Vvs111
Thyroid screen TSH w/Reflex to FT4 as of 2/4/24. 1.53. As far as boosting the DHT I think I will let that sleeping dog lie, I still have a prostat although cooked. I can live with some return of body hair, theres one aspect I do not miss and thats trimming by backside.

[Flavio]

I took finasteride daily for 20+ years. It preserved my hair but there were minor sexual side effects: e.g. watery semen, maybe some loss of libido. Fin stopped working, now I'm on dutasteride.

[Unclethud]

Hi Flavio

Finastride was not well recieved here. It delivered on a number of the side effects that are listed. Rapid weight gain, gynecomastia.
Slowed the growth of my facial hair. Cannot tell if it help the hair loss on top, one would never know to day. The watery seamen bit I never connected hat to the drug.

[Flavio]

Yes, weight gain is a strong possibility. Finasteride stopped working for me four years ago, I'm now taking dutasteride.