How to treat Finasteride side effects?

Question

Hi doctor,

I took Finasteride when I was 27 years old. It shattered me as a man. It has been four years, and now I am 31 years old. Things have not gotten better. I have all the symptoms of low testosterone. I feel I have lost my height, and my feet have shrunk. My penis and testes have gotten smaller, and my sex drive, energy, and memory have gone low. I have suicidal thoughts because of this. Please help. I do not think I can go on much longer. How should I treat this?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all, I would like to assure you that there are multiple treatment options available for Finasteride-induced sexual dysfunction, and there is little to worry about. Before I proceed to recommend any treatment, I request you to provide the following details. What do you mean by shattered me as a man? Do you mean the problem with erection, ejaculation, desire, or a combination of them? How did it start? Was it of sudden onset or gradual onset? How has it progressed over the last four years? Does the problem remain the same or worsened or improved to some extent? When do you have the last satisfying and successful intercourse? What number of sexual encounters were satisfactory in the last three months? Do you get early morning erections? If yes, how frequent and intense are they? If not, how long are you not getting early morning erections? Do you have any medical or psychiatric illnesses (if yes, details of each)? Are you taking any other medication? If yes, details of each user in the past or present. Attach any new reports if available, as this report is around two years old and holds little value.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

First of all, I would like to inform you that the current problem can be attributed to two factors. Prescription of Finasteride and its action on testosterone metabolism pathway. The stress of losing manhood and the absence of appropriate help despite the passage of four years (you can call it chronic stress). The condition can collectively be called Post Finasteride Syndrome (PFS), a little-known but hotly debated condition persisting after three months of Finasteride discontinuation. There is plenty of available data, but contrasting information is also available.

Regarding PFS treatment, I often recommend the use of Tadalafil 2.5 to 5 mg plus Dopamine agonists (Pramipexole 0.25 mg to 0.75 mg) daily. Although the response varies from person to person, most of my patients show good improvement. Add-on therapy with antioxidants often helps the remaining patients who show limited or no response using Tadalafil and Dopamine agonists.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.