Finasteride - real world experiences?

[scutty brown]

Just come from a meeting with my GP where we discussed prostate problems, and he suggested me stopping using Tamsulosin and instead switching to Finasteride.
This seems to come with a whole gamut of risks - lethargy, depression, suicide, reduced libido for starters.
Problem is the Tamsulosin is knocking my blood pressure through the floor when combined with other drugs I'm on, so I've got problems either way

I'm not asking for medical knowledge here but do any of you have any practical experience of making this change? Or simply of taking Finasteride? Just how bad are the side effects?

FWIW the NHS crib sheet is at
External Link/Members Only

[RandomGuy99]

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External Link/Members Only - seems like ED is a common side effect

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on the positive side it might make your hair grow longer 

[Thephoenix]

Just come from a meeting with my GP where we discussed prostate problems, and he suggested me stopping using Tamsulosin and instead switching to Finasteride.
This seems to come with a whole gamut of risks - lethargy, depression, suicide, reduced libido for starters.
Problem is the Tamsulosin is knocking my blood pressure through the floor when combined with other drugs I'm on, so I've got problems either way

I'm not asking for medical knowledge here but do any of you have any practical experience of making this change? Or simply of taking Finasteride? Just how bad are the side effects?

FWIW the NHS crib sheet is at
External Link/Members Only

I was also prescribed tamsulosin and finasteride for enlarged prostate prior to my TURP prostate surgery.
I wasn't able to tolerate tamsulosin for very long as it was exacerbating my reflux problems.

I continued with the finasteride.
I had no psychiatric ill effects whatsoever.

As regards to issues of ED etc, I'm probably not the best subject to compare with, as I was already experiencing age related problems.
I can however say that they didn't make my symptoms appear any worse,  and I was able to carry on punting as normal other than the retrograde ejaculation would sometimes confuse the masseuse.

As a plus, the solar panel in the centre of my scalp was almost re-covered in hair.

[RandomGuy99]

Finasteride is a medication primarily used to treat:

- **Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)** at a dose of 1 mg/day.
- **Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)** at a dose of 5 mg/day.

It works by inhibiting **5-alpha reductase**, the enzyme that converts testosterone into **dihydrotestosterone (DHT)**—a hormone involved in both hair loss and prostate enlargement.

---

Common Side Effects (generally occur in 1–10% of users):

- **Decreased libido (sex drive)**
- **Erectile dysfunction (ED)**
- **Ejaculation disorders** (e.g. decreased volume)

These often appear early in treatment and may resolve with continued use or upon discontinuation.

---

Less Common/Rare Side Effects:

- **Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia)** – <1%
- **Depression** – exact incidence is unclear but reported.
- **Testicular pain**
- **Skin rash**

---

### **Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)** *(controversial and not officially recognized by all medical bodies)*:
Some users report **persistent** sexual, neurological, and physical side effects **after stopping** the drug. These include:
- Ongoing ED or low libido
- Fatigue, brain fog, or anxiety
- Muscle wasting

This is **rare** and still under investigation.

---

Long-Term Use:

Finasteride is generally well tolerated for long-term use, especially in the context of hair loss treatment. Some side effects may diminish with time.

[RandomGuy99]

User experiences with finasteride, a medication commonly prescribed for male pattern hair loss, vary widely. While some individuals report positive outcomes, others experience significant side effects. Here's an overview based on recent reports and user reviews:

---

### **Positive Experiences**

- **Hair Regrowth Success**: Many users have reported noticeable improvements in hair density and thickness. For instance, one individual noted that after six months of use, their hairline had returned, and the hair was thicker. Another user mentioned that combining finasteride with minoxidil led to reduced hair shedding and new growth.

- **Minimal Side Effects**: Some users have taken finasteride without experiencing adverse effects. A 52-year-old man reported that after five years of use, he experienced no significant side effects and found the medication effective for both hair retention and urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.

---

### **Negative Experiences**

- **Sexual Dysfunction**: A significant number of users have reported issues such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced semen volume. One individual described transitioning from a healthy sex life to experiencing erectile difficulties and reduced sexual desire.

- **Mental Health Concerns**: Some users have experienced mood changes, including depression and anxiety. For example, a 26-year-old man reported feeling emotionally numb and disconnected from his usual activities after taking the medication for about six weeks.

- **Persistent Side Effects**: There are accounts of side effects continuing even after discontinuing the drug. One user mentioned experiencing brain fog, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction that persisted for months after stopping finasteride.

---

### **Regulatory and Medical Perspectives**

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued warnings about the potential risks associated with finasteride, including sexual dysfunction and mood disturbances. Some online pharmacies have been criticized for not providing adequate consultations or safety information before prescribing the medication.

---

### **Summary**

Finasteride can be effective for treating hair loss, but its use is not without risks. While many individuals experience benefits, others may encounter side effects that impact their quality of life. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting treatment and to be aware of the potential risks involved.

If you're considering finasteride or are currently using it, it's advisable to monitor any changes in your health and discuss them with your doctor to make an informed decision about your treatment plan.

[Omadon2001]

I'm taking Tamsulosin. I used to take Finesteride.

Tamsulosin - I go through phases where I feel dizzy when standing up. I sometimes take it every other day - rather than every day. My GP was fine with this.

Finesteride - started taking it. Around a month later I became very tearful. I wanted to cry all the time. Not depressed. Not suicidal, I just wanted to cry (and I did, by the bucket load). A few days after stopping it I felt good again.

There's also Dutasteride - the brother to Finesteride. I took it and got a burning sensation on my penis around 3 weeks later. I never linked the burning with the tablet. I feared I'd got an STD. The burning spread to my stomach and then my chest. Sometimes the left half of my face felt like it was on fire. I thought I was having a stroke.

I eventually realised that it could be the tablets. There was no info on the packaging. A pharmacist said it wasn't a side effect and I did speak to my GP. The GP agreed with the pharmacist but said the only true easy to know was to come off Dutasteride and see if the burning stopped. It takes 6 months to come out of your system.
Gradually the burning subsided, became less intense and less frequent. 5 months after stopping Dutasteride the burning had gone. I restarted and the burning came a few weeks later.

There's also an implant you can have but my GP was very reluctant to give me that as I can stop a tablet but I'd be stuck with an implant.

Basically I need to put up with my symptoms until I can't pee anymore. Then they'll operate

[JontyR]

Took finasteride for its impacts on reducing the risk of losing hair.

It may have had other causes but whilst i took it my mood was lower. Correlation or causality I wouldn't wish to say.

If I was presecribed it for other issues then I would take it but would monitor this more closely.

[PepeMAGA]

I haven't got direct experience, but my dad takes it. He didn't seem to have negative side effects from it, but he's on so many other tablets it's hard to say what is doing what.

I have looked into taking it myself for hair recession, obviously at a lower dose.
My uninformed opinion is that it's prescribed at too higher dose.
In the case of hairloss, 0.2mg has 70% the potency of 1mg ( in reducing DHT).
If you're getting on in years, I don't see why your body would be producing extraordinary amounts of DHT, with DHT coming from testosterone.
1mg may be enough to alleviate symptoms without causing severe side effects, particularly if you're already taking tamsulosin.

[shiptonlad]

I took had very low blood pressure whilst taking other blood pressure meds. I took solifenacin until I had my TURP with no ill effect.

[Dark Vader]

So I came across a YouTube video in my stream about zinc and masturbation relating to prostate health and thought I'd mention it in a No Fapping thread. Just went to the guys page and he happens to have a video on the topic you are discussing. His accent is a bit strong and I don't even know if he is a real doctor. Does he know what he is talking about on this subject? If so I will pay attention to more of his stuff. External Link/Members Only

[Strawberry]

Just come from a meeting with my GP where we discussed prostate problems, and he suggested me stopping using Tamsulosin and instead switching to Finasteride.
This seems to come with a whole gamut of risks - lethargy, depression, suicide, reduced libido for starters.
Problem is the Tamsulosin is knocking my blood pressure through the floor when combined with other drugs I'm on, so I've got problems either way

I'm not asking for medical knowledge here but do any of you have any practical experience of making this change? Or simply of taking Finasteride? Just how bad are the side effects?

FWIW the NHS crib sheet is at
External Link/Members Only

I know of a couple of men who used Finasteride short term for prostate issues without experiencing side effects, but there have been articles in the press about some who suffered serious mental health disturbances as a result of their use for hair loss. I am not medically qualified but I suspect for you it has to be an on balance, pros and cons decision. At least you are educating yourself, many just take whatever is offered assuming it's 'safe' because it's prescribed by their GP or other medical professional.

[simon07]

I stopped taking Tamsusolin because of side effects and have been alright with Finasteride.
I guess 50% reduced risk of urinary obstruction as well as other benefits like helps with hair though dosage is higher.

My main impact is that libido (mojo) is reduced and almost zero ejaculate.
I get up less at night to wee now.

[PepeMAGA]

I stopped taking Tamsusolin because of side effects and have been alright with Finasteride.
I guess 50% reduced risk of urinary obstruction as well as other benefits like helps with hair though dosage is higher.

My main impact is that libido (mojo) is reduced and almost zero ejaculate.
I get up less at night to wee now.

Would be interesting to see what your hormone levels are like. If it's just a drop in total testosterone, you could do something about that

[scutty brown]

Would be interesting to see what your hormone levels are like. If it's just a drop in total testosterone, you could do something about that

But surely if you try to reduce the testosterone drop you're reversing the very effect by which the Finasteride works?

[PepeMAGA]

But surely if you try to reduce the testosterone drop you're reversing the very effect by which the Finasteride works?

Not necessarily. Testosterone converts to DHT and oestradiol. If you're blocking conversion to DHT and your lifestyle limits aromatisation to oestradiol, then you could be in a better position with exogenous testosterone. Blocking the DHT might cause an initial rise in free testosterone, but the body reacts to this by cutting production, which may be why the libido had dropped off. Or it could be aromatising. But as I say would need to see what is going on with his hormones and get advice from a doctor with experience of trt.

[simon07]

Good news is my testosterone is above normal maybe with regular weight lifting as well as eating foods that help raise testosterone levels.

[PepeMAGA]

Good news is my testosterone is above normal maybe with regular weight lifting as well as eating foods that help raise testosterone levels.

Good stuff 
Is your estrogen levels normal? If too low that can impact erections also