ARE THE SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS WORTH THICK HAIR? After finasteride is discontinued, the body must produce new 5-alpha-reductase molecules to replace the ones that were inactivated by the finasteride. Learn how your comment data is processed. So thankful to have found this article. Ive read about him saying this is pro-fat metabolism and Haidut has an article on how hCG is considered a marker for cancer when it is in fact a promotor of cancer in itself because it trigger cell growth. While this may sound unusual, research backs it up, and even shows that its a specific problem for men who use finasteride. The only problem is that I have an high PROGESTERONE and High colesterol out of higher range both. These abnormal sperm parameters improve dramatically after quitting finasteride. 8600 Rockville Pike I started losing hair about 18 yrs old if that helps, Hi I got post finasteride syndrome like side effects from saw palmettherbal blend of dht natural inhibitors from amazon https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B004PVLWW0/ref=acr_dp_hist_2?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=two_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar and i did blood work (rosch eclia methodology) but endos cant find anything that could cause all the side effects im dealing with. Post-finasteride syndrome is leaving behind a slew of victims in its trail. THC has been shown to increase brain pregnenolone, but this study shows that cannabis users have higher pregnanolone (a 5-metabolite) and lower allopregnanolone (a 5-metabolite) (, Get lots of sunlight, especially in the morning. After 15 years of research i also believe mycotoxins are playing a big role in this, mycotoxins damage the grey matter in your brain which would cause dopamine issues, then a cascade of issues from hpa axis dysfunction, gut issues, hormone issues which wont go away under a complete mycotoxin detox is done. A second factor that may explain the symptoms of post-finasteride syndrome is existing mental illness. It can be reversed yes. HCG monotherapy, when properly run (up to 1000iu per week) is the best treatment bar none, unless one is primary hypogonadal. Im wondering if that Has to do with gut health. Any other advice that would help is greatly appreciated. You can argue with the theoretician but you cant argue with the anecdotal stories of successful recovery. A few top supplements to lower estrogen include: For more a comprehensive guides on lowering estrogen, check out this article: Dopamine, testosterone and DHT go hand in hand with improving cognitive function, creativity, determination, positivity, problem-solving, euphoria, etc. Indeed, delineating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PFS will be of paramount importance to the understanding of this syndrome and to development of potential novel therapeutic modalities. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. Have you tried NGF boosting supplements such as lions mane or even Cerebrolysin? It can and does, although they typically arent common. A: Finasteride, even at low doses, may cause reduced sperm counts, sperm concentration and sperm motility that can result in male infertility in some men. Researchers have found low levels of neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, in the cerebrospinal fluid of post-finasteride syndrome patients. If youre concerned about post-finasteride syndrome, sexual symptoms or other side effects, its important to discuss them with your healthcare provider before using finasteride. Individual results will vary. Q8: I cant find a doctor in my area whos familiar with PFS. The treatment worked miraculously well and within a few months I was Post-finasteride syndrome - PubMed Chronic insomnia , I am now taking Trazodone which helps me get to sleep, I also have myoclonic twitches and brain zaps while trying to fall asleep and my auditory system is super sensitive any small noise at night makes my me jump even when wearing ear plugs. I am investigating other solutions. Muscle pain As I read websites like yours and CDsNuts. Physical improvements down below as well. Back then, providing support to those afflicted by the condition never crossed our mind. No doctor-patient relationship is implicit or implied. I want to try a solution like HCG low dose: Now two months after stopping Dudasteride, my twitches and brain zaps are now greatly diminshed, insomnia is still a problem though. At this point, you will not yet be registered on the forum. 3 reasons why eating raw bull testicles for boosting testosterone is useless! What can I do? I'm a PFS sufferer that has been doing the HCG protocol for only a week now and seeing/feeling amazing benefits already. Over 60 years ago PEA was found in egg yolks and peanuts and determined to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective and analgesic properties. Disproportionality analysis based on both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) pharmacovigilance databases. 30 mg/kg doses have been studied in children. Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. If PFS patients and/or family members encounter resistance to and dismissal of PFS as a real medical condition by their doctor, but their doctor is at least open-minded, we recommend that they ask him/her to carefully review this literature and news, along with our PFS Diagnostic Criteria, Doctors & Researchers Speaking Out, PFS Quilt and Propecia Litigation Library pages. Although finasteride can cause adverse effects, there currently isnt any high quality evidence to show that these continue over the long term. Q6: How long before an effective treatment for PFS is developed? The same goes for all clinicians. The other side effects, such as ejaculation disorder, breast enlargement and breast tenderness, were only reported by 0.1 percent of men who received the non-therapeutic placebo. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the My hypothesis is that finasteride can cause brain damage which needs to be reversed. Androsterone both allopregnanolone and androsterone are potent GABA agonists, so might substitute to a degree for each other. However, the 2017 PeerJ study (Persistent erectile dysfunction in men exposed to the 5-reductase inhibitors finasteride or dutasteride) conclusively determined that the risk of developing PFS increases with increased duration of use. Furthermore, finasteride inhibits CYP3A4 (which is the Common adverse events of treatment consist of sexual disorders and a negative affect balance. However, there have been no published medical studies that report on the effectiveness of SSRIs to treat PFS. Ive moved out of a city recently to an area with a low population. I tried an illegal drug that increases dopamine and all of my issues went away briefly, so i think dopamine is a big piece of the puzzle here, especially with penis sensitivity. What do you think about proviron and other DHT derived steroids? In short, being aware that finasteride may cause sexual side effects is associated with a higher risk of actually experiencing these side effects. Use Catuaba bark extract, mucuna pruriens, Tribulus Terrestris, etc. Can you recommend one? 2019 Apr;7(2):277-282. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.07.003. Hormonal Changes in Post Finasteride Syndrome Q11: Id like to get in touch with other PFS patients in my area, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. Some of the doctors listed on our Medical Professionals page may also recommend such strategies. We require a human profile pic upon registration on this forum. Chiriac G, Cauci S, Mazzon G, Trombetta C. Andrology. For example, if a person is aware that a medication can cause headaches, they might become more likely to report experiencing a headache after using the medication. Many men begin to develop sexual performance issues in middle age. Fertil Steril. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):653. doi: 10.3390/plants12030653. I just picked up Gaba, im assuming this is a good idea? For diagnostic criteria of the condition, see our PFS Diagnostic Criteria page.). Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and this blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Before/after images shared by customers who have purchased varying products, including prescription based products. It would be something if I could get referred to an endocrinologist and expect some understanding, but my impression is thats not how it goes. The brain fog has never gone away. National Library of Medicine 2012 Nov;9(11):2927-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02846.x. Do you want to maximize your testosterone, but don't know what to eat? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Bookshelf The treatment consists of taking large doses of B6 and Zinc, along with a few antioxidants. For example, in a one-year trial, men with male pattern baldness who were treated with 1mg of finasteride per day reported the following side effects: Decreased libido (reported by 1.8 percent of men), Erectile dysfunction (reported by 1.3 percent of men), Ejaculation disorder (reported by 1.2 percent of men). A deterioration in the quality of life in affected individuals does not justify use of the drug. Theres also a link between aging and a decline in testosterone levels. This issue can have a serious impact on a persons risk of experiencing side effects after taking medication, as healthcare providers are required to inform their patients about the potential side effects of medication as part of the treatment process. PFS isnt fun. Its also important to choose an experienced hair transplant surgeon to make sure you get satisfying, natural-looking results. Before Any idea why that may be? All my symptoms have subsided and improved with this This is a difficult question to answer as there is a small minority of PFS patients who have reported anecdotally that they have developed PFS only after quitting finasteride. Other PFS patients anecdotally report PFS symptoms while using finasteride that get worse after quitting the drug. Do you generally feel overstimulated and suffer from insomnia? You might thus benefit from things that stimulate bile flow such as taurine and TUDCA. Sexual functioning is returning to some extent. If youre looking for something effective but dont want too many steps in your routine, this once-a-day pill could be right for you. In theory, the effects could be additive, but it is not known if the added effects would be beneficial or harmful. Josh's optimal journal (recovery from Post Finasteride My hair keeps growing thicker, fuller, and at a fast rate., I noticed a huge change in the overall health and fullness of my hairline., Now after 5 months Im able to style waves first time in 10 years!, I decided to jump right in and I'm so glad I did. Prolactin is a bugger when it comes to mood and cognitive function. Post-finasteride syndrome is also said to involve mental and neurological symptoms. (Needless to say, those professionals dont cover the entire world, which is why were always looking for more. Over time, it has been considered a safe and well Anyone wishing to connect with other PFS patients and/or their family members should download our Patient Support form, complete it and email it back to us at social@pfsfoundation.org. Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride: could they be permanent? Hi David, The aforementioned 2017 study published in PeerJ (Persistent erectile dysfunction in men exposed to the 5-reductase inhibitors finasteride or dutasteride) also found that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were a risk factor for developing PED with the use of finasteride for hair loss. How do you explain that? Post official website and that any information you provide is encrypted cold penis Lets say your DHT is low, here are the top 7 supplements you can use to increase it: If you want additional methods on increasing DHT apart from supplements, check out my comprehensive article on boosting DHT: If DHT is normal and you still feel off, mainly anxious, not confidence, shy, nervous, experiencing brain fog, etc., you might be low in allopregnanolone. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Finasteride Recovery Stories, Plz Help Over the long term, the differences in side effect rate between the men who received finasteride and the men who received the placebo became significantly smaller. Etc Etc An observational retrospective evaluation of 79 young men with long-term adverse effects after use of finasteride against androgenetic alopecia. I have another friend ready to start and I'm excited for his recovery next. As a result of this, most medical bodies do not officially recognize post-finasteride syndrome as a medical condition. I want to try HCG 50 UI per day. Post-Finasteride Syndrome: how to resolve it by Additional side effects of finasteride include: A low DHT state can lead to low dopamine (R), high estrogen (R), high prolactin (due to reduced dopamine), high cortisol (due to reduced clearance) (R), elevated serotonin (due to elevated estrogen and lower dopamine) and hypothyroidism (R). Some men with PFS report symptoms that last for years after stopping finasteride. Glycine about 5g daily and niacinamide about 500mg-1g daily. Also its strange. Why is anxiety more common in women with PCOS? In the mean time ultra-micronized PEA can be obtained from Amazon for a reasonable cost. Accessibility The same pattern occurred with decreased libido, with 2.6 percent of finasteride users and 2.6 percent of placebo users both reporting this side effect. Its sold under the brand names Propecia and Proscar. Cheers. Support inquiries will not be addressed. Its pretty astounding the improvement in symptoms since the move. Q2: How many men who take finasteride get PFS? It also improves blood flow to the scalp, which may help to supply your hair follicles with extra nutrients. is a recovery really possible? I suggest you see an expert for internal workup, we do this frequently in our practice. Like all medications, finasteride can cause side effects. Therefore, we recommend caution and discussion with your physician about the potential risks before deciding to treat it with SSRIs. Also do you recommend an androsterone supplement, I havent heard of that option so far. Press J to jump to the feed. We discourage the prescribing of finasteride for hair loss by any physician. Kaplan-Marans E, Sandozi A, Martinez M, Lee J, Schulman A, Khurgin J. Q5: Is there any cure, or at least treatment, for PFS? Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. You are good person for sharing this. This is a difficult question to answer as there is a small minority of PFS patients who have reported anecdotally that they have developed PFS only after quitting finasteride. Unfortunately, PFS is a condition with no known cure at this time, and few, if any, effective treatments. Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a constellation of serious adverse side effects manifested in clinical symptoms that develop and persist in patients during and/or after discontinuing finasteride treatment in men with pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Epub 2020 Jun 26. My sides are: 2019 Apr;7(2):277-282. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.07.003. T-Hero review: a meh or great testosterone booster? What few people know is that there are 5-R and 3 types of 5-R enzymes and that theyre not only involved in the conversion of testosterone to DHT, but also in the: Many of the benefits of testosterone, such as enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced catabolism, higher dopamine, increased thyroid hormone production, are mediated by DHT, and blocking DHT production prevents those effects/benefits. Curr Urol Rep. 2018 Jun 16;19(8):65. doi: 10.1007/s11934-018-0814-z. However, the PFS Foundation strongly discourages the use of finasteride for hair loss by anyone. According to the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation, post-finasteride syndrome may result in an increased risk of suicide attempts. So combining progesterone + DHEA and allopregnanolone + DHT can be is even better. I definitely feel ten years younger!, In just as little over two and half months, I can really see the difference in thickness and in color., 4-months strong and my confidence boosted back up to 100% using Hims, future me really does thank me., Im a 34 year old father of two and have been using Hims for over a year now. We offer a combination Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray that allows you to get the benefits of finasteride and minoxidil in a single medication. Brain fog After using finasteride at a 5mg daily dose for one year, men reported the following side effects: Erectile dysfunction (reported by 8.1 percent of men), Decreased ilbido (reported by 6.4 percent of men), Decreased ejaculatory volume (reported by 3.7 percent of men), Ejaculation disorder (reported by 0.8 percent of men), Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement (reported by 0.5 percent of men), Breast tenderness (reported by 0.4 percent of men). I am doing a High sensativity blood panel soon, would you be able to also look at my blood work to see what could be the problem with everything i am experiencing?Thanks. Have you tried getting loads of sunlight? Now, this doesnt mean that finasteride itself cant cause side effects. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Answer: Hormonal optimization while on finesteride there are many options including peptides, and HCG as well as clomid/arimidex. On the other hand, there are reports of people developing PFS within a few days of stopping finasteride. Re: Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians. My biggest issue is low/no libido. Epub 2018 Oct 6. It just means that you might have to implement certain strategies and use certain supplements for quite some time before the enzymes normalize. Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The site is secure. Post-finasteride syndrome: a surmountable challenge for clinicians. If cortisol is low in blood tests, then you can focus on increasing that, but if cortisol is low in saliva tests but high in blood tests, focus on calming the adrenals. WebPost finasteride syndrome is a persistent adverse reaction to taking finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase type II enzyme inhibitor that is extensively prescribed by doctors for hair loss or PMC Furthermore, we have reports from many patients who used topical finasteride solutions only and still developed PFS symptoms. really have been feeling like an empty husk like described lately, almost like a part of me was ripped out, but maybe one day i can find it again. Post-finasteride syndrome is a controversial condition. Well, SSRI drugs almost never only inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, but they often also increase allopregnanolone, decrease serotonin receptor sensitivity, block certain serotonin receptors, release dopamine and histamine, etc. Here are a few good ways to increase dopamine: For more a comprehensive guide on boosting dopamine, check out this article: If dopamine is low, then prolactin will most likely be high. I have had retraction of penis and man boobs. less*, without hair) is Reddit's most popular community for males and females coping with hair loss. Is your diet scattered all over the place? Although a very small percentage of men claim to develop post-finasteride syndrome symptoms after taking finasteride, PFS isnt officially recognized by most of the medical community. Cannibus is my only vice, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a substance naturally produced in many cell types in our bodies, including in very high concentrations in our brains. Dirt cheap too. 2016 Mar;4(2):245-50. doi: 10.1111/andr.12147. 2022 Oct;10(5):100543. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2022.100543. There are some nice recovery stories on TR. (Her story begins around 16:10.). Vitamin C for erectile dysfunction: the best vitamin for ED? Web30 yrs old Male asked about Post finasteride syndrome, 5 doctors answered this and 206 people found it useful. For example, according to the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundations FAQs page, there is no known cure for post-finasteride syndrome, nor are there any known scientific reports of patients with post-finasteride syndrome returning to full health. MeSH Low levels of these hormones increase glutamate and may account for the appearance of behavioural disorders such as anxiety, aggression, and cognitive dysfunction. With that in mind, DHT can take anywhere from4 weeks to 2 years or more to recover(R). Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Epub 2016 Jan 13. I have had PFS for 15 years, just came across your article, would you be interested in looking at my labs for comment? WebFinasteride has been used to shrink prostate and prevent male pattern baldness. Disclaimer. PEA has been studied in 40 clinical trials involving 6000 subjects over the years and has shown a quite favorable risk/benefit ratio. PFS, which is listed in the National Institutes of Healths Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, and in the database of the National Organization for Rare Disorders, describes persistent and serious side effects that continue long after the drug has been discontinued. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies These constellations of symptoms constitute the basis for PFS in individuals predisposed to epigenetic susceptibility. i been suffering for close to a year from just 3 weeks of usage. Alterations of gut microbiota composition in post-finasteride patients: a pilot study. These serious adverse side effects include persistent or irreversible sexual, neurological, physical and mental side effects. Maybe the poison is in the dose. Thanks for the positive feedback and Im glad its helpful. Doses have ranged between 1200mg and 3600mg per day without significant side effects. Im a newbie here so dont hold me very accountable here. Also I jumped the gun on TRT out of frustration and desperation. Methods. Post-Finasteride Syndrome: What is It? | hims I suffered PFS till 4 years with many problems: Unfortunately, there have also been no published medical studies that report on the effectiveness of other antidepressants in the treatment of depression associated with PFS. They include sexual, neurological, physical and psychological adverse reactions in patients whove taken finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase type II enzyme inhibitor used to treat hair loss (Propecia, finasteride 1 mg) or enlarged prostate (Proscar, finasteride 5 mg). Post Finasteride Syndrome LifeGivingStore.comRed Light Therapy - Hydrogen Water Generators - Cascara Sagrada - Vitamins, Minerals & Amino Acid Supplements - Cocoa Products - Handcrafted Soaps - Grass Fed Organs & Glandulars - Nano Soma. Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation v. FDA This was a single center, prospective case-control study taking place between March 2013 and September 2018. I found some recovery stories with these compounds. Some research suggests that more than 50 percent of men in will experience some form of hair loss by the time they hit 50 years old. For example, during the second, third and fourth years of the trial, 5.1 percent of men who used finasteride 5mg reported experiencing erectile dysfunction. It is known that post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) patients suffer from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Q3: Why do some finasteride patients develop PFS while others never seem to have any problems with the drug? thank you, i will try to update in the future. It is a severely underrated and misunderstood drug. For symptoms other than PED, no similar statistical analyses involving critical masses of patient records have yet been published. Ruksiriwanich W, Linsaenkart P, Khantham C, Muangsanguan A, Sringarm K, Jantrawut P, Prom-U-Thai C, Jamjod S, Yamuangmorn S, Arjin C, Rachtanapun P, Jantanasakulwong K, Phimolsiripol Y, Barba FJ, Sommano SR, Chutoprapat R, Boonpisuttinant K. Plants (Basel). By the mid-1990s PEAs mechanism of action was discovered and linked to its ability to induce the brain biosynthesis of neuroactive steroid hormones, including allopregnanolone. Here are a few things you can do: Finasteride binds to 5-R type 2 with high affinity and dissociates very slowly with a half-life of 31 days. Is that the proper course of action? press@forhims.com goes to a third party never send personal, medical, or health information to this address. If so you might have reduced bile flow. No one informed me this could be a risk! Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. A: In the Resources section of the PFS Foundation website, we have a page called Medical Professionals. Acta Derm Venereol. Alternatively, you can use other treatments, such as those available in our Non-Prescription Hair Loss Kit, to treat male pattern baldness without taking oral finasteride. This is the FDA-approved dynamic duo. Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a constellation of serious adverse side effects manifested in clinical symptoms that develop and persist in patients during and/or after discontinuing finasteride treatment in men with pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The depression of PFS can be very debilitating and finding effective treatments for the depression of PFS can be challenging and require considerable trial and error in consultation with your doctor. Some people do have success with HCG, but less so with clomid. Dopamine agonists, such as mucuna pruriens, huperzine A, Catuaba bark extract, etc. Gut Inflammation Induced by Finasteride Withdrawal: Therapeutic Effect of Allopregnanolone in Adult Male Rats. This would suggest that tapering might be a safer approach. -DECREASED OR NO LIBIDO -DECREASED SEMEN VOLUME LOSS OF AM ERECTIONS 2021 Jun;44(6):1263-1273. doi: 10.1007/s40618-020-01424-0. Weve explained what post-finasteride syndrome is, the symptoms that are associated with PFS, as well as the potential treatment options for men who have issues after using finasteride. However, we may soon see more data. What kind of doctor would be willing to help with something like this? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It is known that post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) patients suffer from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Finally, weve explained your options for treating and preventing hair loss if youre worried about developing post-finasteride syndrome. Sure I can do that for you. After registration is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email, which should contain a link to confirm your intent to register for the forum. When you send us your Patient Support form, include a note in your email letting us know youd specifically like to connect with fellow PFS patients who are willing to share their coping strategies. Would you like email updates of new search results? Some people get results, but often only 1 steroid isnt enough. Another related symptom is insomnia or light and disturbed sleep. Are finasteride-related penile curvature/Peyronie's disease Adverse Event Reports worthy of further clinical investigation? But future studies may involve patient testing. Additionally, the PFS Foundation has been contacted by at least 30 patients who took saw palmetto only, as a hair-loss treatment, and developed symptoms strikingly similar to those experienced by PFS patients. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal A third factor is that a lot of the problems commonly described as symptoms of post-finasteride syndrome are common in middle-aged and older men, particularly men in the age group that is most likely to develop noticeable male pattern baldness. Bookshelf Dutasteride was the second inhibitor to be approved and has a similar safety profile. This type of procedure involves removing DHT-resistant hair follicles from a donor area, such as the back of your scalp, then transplanting the grafted hairs to your hairline, crown or other areas affected by male pattern baldness. Many websites that discuss post-finasteride syndrome describe it as a lifelong condition with no treatments or cures. Male pattern baldness develops when DHT binds to receptors in the scalp and causes the hair follicles to miniaturize. One way to treat your hair loss without using finasteride is to use non-prescription treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil, hair loss shampoo and hair growth vitamins. As for hair loss shampoos, many include ingredients such as ketoconazole and saw palmetto to block DHT at the scalp level. Yep, the medical system doesnt care about what happens to you. A: None of the studies being sponsored by the PFS Foundation currently are actively recruiting patients. 200 mg of pregnenalone per day. Epub 2020 Mar 25. Post Finasteride Syndrome