Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and its role in sexual health

[chrisis]

I'm trying to get to the root cause of some sexual side effects as a direct consequence of taking finasteride for 2 months and quitting 3 months ago.

So far I've discovered that dihydrotestosterone plays a key role in sexual development, but is also integral to male health into adult life.

According to the following study, "differences in concentrations of circulating dihydrotestosterone within the normal range may represent a major predictor of sexual activity in healthy young men

http://www.bmj.com/content/310/6990/1289

If it is true that by blocking 5-alpha reductase, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, then surely we have identified the cause of sexual side effects. It's because, as the study concludes, difference in concentrations of DHT appear to predict sexual activity in healthy young men. Doesn't this mean that to overcome sexual side effects, we must simply address the levels of DHT? Or is something else going on?

Is it possible to ask a doctor to measure DHT when getting hormone levels checked? And then is it possible to increase levels of DHT?

[bob13]

wasn't there a huge thread with this already?
Why start another one?

Chris you ought to go to medical school.

[chrisis]

Awesome feedback as ever bob.

[bob13]

Awesome feedback as ever bob.

I guess that means Im right.

[chrisis]

My question evolved from another discussion, yes. But I wanted to ask it directly.

I'm confused a bit here: is there some sort of limit on how many posts we can post in a day?

Is there a rule about which topics are appropriate?

Are there members here in an appointed position to dictate which topics are suitable and which aren't?

I'd really prefer to stick to the topic at hand. In future please don't get involved in my topics unless you have something constructive to say. This is just another useless distraction from substantial issues I'm concerned about.

[CurlyBird]

Results: Serum dihydrotestosterone concentration was the only independent hormonal predictor of the frequency of orgasms; an increase in concentration of 1.36 nmol/l (about 2 SD) corresponded to an average increase of one orgasm a week.

Two standard deviations = +1 orgasm per week. Two standard deviations on either side of the mean includes something like 96% of all people. I don't count my weekly orgasms but +/- 1 doesn't bother me.

[the_charger]

If it is true that by blocking 5-alpha reductase, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, then surely we have identified the cause of sexual side effects. It's because, as the study concludes, difference in concentrations of DHT appear to predict sexual activity in healthy young men. Doesn't this mean that to overcome sexual side effects, we must simply address the levels of DHT? Or is something else going on?

Is it possible to ask a doctor to measure DHT when getting hormone levels checked? And then is it possible to increase levels of DHT?

Im honestly not trolling you here dude, but just want to give you some advice.. I read on propeciahelp that 5-alpha reductase doesnt ONLY convert Testosterone to DHT, but it also converts other important chemicals as well.

if it were really so simple that DHT was all a person needed to boost their libido, then everyone would be taking DHT supplements and men into their 80's would be as sexually active as teenagers! same would be said for people with problems after propecia, testosterone injections and dht supplements would cure the problem for everyone. This obviously isnt whats happening... along with the other points I made in the other thread, it is just fact that DHT has little to nothing to do with any of this.

you might have heard of Dr. Chrisler, who treats people that have these problems with hormones. if increasing DHT levels was all that was needed, everyone who gets treated would feel 100% better, but I dont think ive heard of anyone cured or even feeling significantly better after his treatments..

its very obviously a complicated problem, if it were as simple as DHT alone being the solution, then everybody would already be treating themselves. I havent seen many hormone reports from people after stopping propecia (maybe soothsayer can comment on this) but it looks like for the most part testosterone and DHT go back to normal even in people that still have side effects.

[SoothSayer]

(maybe soothsayer can comment on this) but it looks like for the most part testosterone and DHT go back to normal even in people that still have side effects.

I addressed this in my previous post, but it looks like many men have hormone levels that are below the normal range of hormones or at the very bottom level. It does seem that a deficiency of DHT is in part responsible for causing lasting problems in these patients. If you are interested, you can take a look on PropeciaHelp where a lot of patients post the results of their hormone profiles. However, as you mentioned it is not as simple as supplementing DHT or T since this does not seem to easily work. It is also possible that Propecia use causes an acquired androgen insensitivity. If this is true, hormone supplementation will not reverse the problem even if the problem is hormonal, similar to the relationship between Type I diabetes and insulin injections.

[ryan555]

You can get a blood test for DHT. I had a few of them after I stopped finasteride. Make sure you take it first thing in the morning or you'll get some crazy results. Anyway, in all likelihood, your DHT levels will be normal, unless you have hypogonadism (and you would definitely know if you did). When you slow the production of hormones, the receptors for those hormones become downregulated and it takes a while for them to readjust for some people.

[chrisis]

Sorry for slow response here, had a busy weekend.

ryan555, just to get to your reply first, why did you get your DHT checked? Can you tell me your full story? How long did it take for you to go back to normal and what did you do to help?