is finasteride killing my FSH?

[unk]

Hey guys, sorry for the lengthy post, it's my first introductory post.

I'm 23, British, and I guess hair loss denial started around 20/21, but 18 months ago I couldn't deny that I'd lost (to me) about 50% density on the front half of my head, so I began fin/minox at that point. I don't know if I've halted it, as the thinning has reached the entirety of the top of my head, but with some hair regrowth at the temples, and a suitable haircut, I like to think overall my hair has probably improved, and to the point that a majority wouldn't notice usually.

My local GP's refused to test my T/DHT, none of them knew anything about hair loss, just that they didn't advocate whatever treatments were available, which they also did not know about. They were especially unimpressed that I had decided to "treat myself" by ordering medication. I went to another GP and requested bloods under the premise that I've been experiencing chronic fatigue (which is true, I have felt this way since my teenage years were over), using it as a tool to request my testosterone, and general fatigue indicators (blood glucose, haematocrit etc).

For me personally, fin side effects are real, as much as I want to believe they are all psychosomatic, I put them to the back of my mind because they don't bother me enough to lose my hair. But if you ask me, the pro-fin party is just as damaging as the anti-fin party, in different respects.

Anyway, (to save you graphic details), pre-fin my member was spontaneously at attention morning, noon, and night, so I had to take care of business at least daily. It was a party trick with girls that I had no off switch if you know what I mean. As for my ejaculate, after a girlfriend commented on my volume, I was concerned about what a normal level was, to discover mine was 3x that of normal. Anyway, sorry about that, sincerely, but you have to fully understand how it contrasts with taking fin, because I've read pro-fin guys mock at people experiencing sides like they started at borderline low, which is not the case for me. Now, taking fin, I never get spontaneous erections (this is actually a plus), and after all, my penis still works for sex, albeit I think not as hard. My sperm is definitely more watery (perhaps 2x), and a lot less volume. Again, these 2 things don't really bother me, I've brushed them off as superficial side-effects. The 3rd thing is a dull ache in my testicles sometimes, this is a little concerning, but I'm currently experimenting with a lower intermittent dose to address this.

This brings me onto my actual point. My blood work indicates adequate testosterone (550), but I told you all of this spiel because I am concerned with my FSH being at the very bottom of the scale. As I understand it, FSH is responsible for sperm production, and therefore linked to sperm count, and this is extremely concerning. I won't go as far to conclude causation, I'm a man of science, but it doesn't look good. What do you know about this, is finasteride killing my FSH, and is it reversible? I know that if I stop finasteride, my diffuse thinning likely converts into a NW5/6/7 once all gains are diminished to where I would be without ever medicating.


unq

[ongbak1]

I was looking to take fin too. But have ready a lot of reviews similar to yours where it does affect sperm flow (making it watery). This does not sound good to me. I don't think I would take anything that will play with my hormones. I think having a good reproductive organ is more important than using fin to stop hairloss. I am thinking of saving up for a Hair transplant where they use your own hair from the back of your head to plant on top of your scalp.

[unk]

Hey ongbak,

The problem with HT is that unless your hair is stable, you will still progress further through hair loss. That's why generally HT patients are taking finasteride, and also why jumping into HT's aren't a good idea, not until a lot longer down the line when you can judge how your hair is changing, what pattern it is following. I don't know for sure whether the donor hairs once transplanted are immune from MPB, that's what I read one time, but imagine you are left with 1000 transplanted hairs diffusely spread on the top of your head when you reach NW7, that isn't going to be a good look, especially if you requested to get a hairline filled in etc.

unq

[Dan26]

I asked my GP for full panel blood work, hormones and semen analysis before going on fin and he said no. Doctors do not take this medication seriously enough, which is reflective of their knowledge on it. I encourage people who are planning to take it to lie to their doctors in order to get these tests (unless you have a great relationship with your doc). Say you have fatigue, low sex drive, watery semen etc.

Unq, did you get tests done before going on fin? and have you got semen analysis?

[unk]

unfortunately I didn't get tests done nope, I only heard it was recommended when I started catching Spencer's baldtruth podcasts. I guess if you tell them those things their drug handbook might say something about low libido being a side effect, and then not give you fin either I am willing to pay for my health, it matters to me, I just don't know how

[unk]

bump

Perhaps my first post was too long for people to care, but if you ask me this a very serious issue that potentially concerns anyone taking finasteride,

Summary: Pre-finasteride=thick, high volume ejaculate. 12 months later=watery, low volume ejaculate, FSH (responsible for sperm production) almost out of the bottom of the range.

[Dan26]

Originally Posted by unk

bump

Perhaps my first post was too long for people to care, but if you ask me this a very serious issue that potentially concerns anyone taking finasteride,

Summary: Pre-finasteride=thick, high volume ejaculate. 12 months later=watery, low volume ejaculate, FSH (responsible for sperm production) almost out of the bottom of the range.

I am going to look into this more and try and post back here. I do believe levels should return to normal after discontinuation, but got to look into it more. Usually with low FSH there would be symptoms of hypogonadism.

[unk]

Cheers Dan. Well diminished FSH can lead to hypogonadism, that's part of the worry.

Symptoms of hypogonadism exclusive to men may include (wiki):

Muscle loss/atrophy - (been injured for 6 months so haven't worked out at at all, and lost almost 15kg lean mass, so hard to tell on that one)

Diminished or lacking facial and body hair growth - I was thinking the other day I've got hairier since I started fin, but I am 23, perhaps expected.

Small or shrunken testicles, penis, and/or prostate - I thought I noticed this, but not significant enough to say for sure. Though it's notable that I have a reduced urine flow, feels weird in my testicles during. But we know fin shrinks the prostate.

Decreased firmness of the testicles - I don't remember knowing how firm they were, but they are definitely now more tender.

Erectile dysfunction - Not dysfunction, but reduced function (see above)

Frequent urination (polyuria) without infection; waking at night to urinate (nocturia) - No

Gynecomastia and feminization in general - Gonna say no, it's only been 18 months