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Finasteride gives me side effects of testicular pain and an achy chest beneath each nipple. Anyone have any ideas of what I could take to minimize these symptoms? Seems like too much estrogen hence the gynecomastia, not sure about the testicular pain or swelling in the epididymis. Finasteride has worked for me for many years and I am losing a lot of hair now because I can't take it quickly enough for the half life not to expire. ANY ideas will be appreciated. Thanks guys!
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I've been experimenting with dopamine enhancers for this, but I don't have the same sort of sides - just mild sexual sides.
The logic goes that finasteride increases prolactin, which causes both gyno and sexual sides such as low libido, difficulty getting an erection, weak orgasms and ejaculations etc.
Prolactin is lowered by taking something that enhances dopamine. Bodybuilders take anti-Parkinsons medication (which are strongly dopaminergic) to suppress prolactin so they don't get man-boobs etc. Incidentally this is probably also the link between depression and finasteride use - low dopamine causes depression.
Anti-Parkinson meds are probably a step too far (they have potentially nasty side-effects), but you can take natural dopamine supplements like Mucuna Pruriens herbal supplements, which is what I've been taking and it seems to work. Sexual sides are noticeably less.
If you have sides that are sufficiently bothering you, I think it's quite valid to see a doctor and ask for a script for something - just be aware that most doctors will probably know less about this than I just told you.
But there are several other options. Dopamine-based anti-depressants like bupropion are probably a good mid-point between the herbal supps and the heavy anti-Parkinson drugs.
The more I have thought about it, the more amazed I am that people haven't latched on to treating the sexual sides of finasteride - all these drugs (the bupropion and the anti-Parkinsons drugs) are used to treat sexual dysfunction as a result of serotonergic anti-depressants like Prozac (excess serotonin lowers dopamine like excess prolactin). It makes perfect sense that they would work equally for finasteride sides.Comment
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have you thought about riidng it out? likle stayin on the fin to see if the sides will pass. i had testicular pain with fin but it went away after 3 weeks and i stayed on the drug.Comment
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That's very interesting, I have thought the same thing, as I get quite horny when taking ritalin or adderall. However, I think that whole thing about buproprion being a libido enhancer is overblown. I can't remember where I read that. In any case, ADHD medications are stronger and more serious, especially for long-term use. But it would be interesting to explore the link between prolactin, dopamine, and DHT further.
What is estradiol's effect on prolactin?
In any case, to the OP, you could try an aromatase inhibitor. Not exactly ideal though.Comment
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Bupropion isn't a libido enhancer exactly. It is just a libido and performance restorer when that function has been killed by SSRIs. It won't do anything if you don't have a problem to begin with. Unlike the anti Parkinsons drugs which will turn you into a sexual superman.Comment
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Tracy, it is misinformation. I'm not going to post the studies, charts, numbers etc, but anyone who has done their research on fin knows what you stated is false.
Is it really? This is a public forum where we share knowledge and information. Of course I am being cheeky when I say 'join the dark side'. All I really mean by that is I will direct them to certain literature.
I think what you do is more unethical to be honest. You recommend seeing 'doctors that specialize in hair loss'. You know what will happen if people take your advice? They will go to a doctor, get prescribed finasteride, not be fully warned about the potential harm, and not have baseline blood and hormone tests done (which they need). Just because they are doctors, that doesn't mean they are capable of doing no wrong. Doctors are human beings like the rest of us. There are the lazy ones, stupid ones, dismissive ones, self-important ones etc.
The better advice is to tell people to educate themselves; direct them to legitimate sources and studies. It will empower them, so that when they do go to their doctor, armed with the right information and questions to ask, they can have some meaningful discourse, and not just blindly follow instructions.Comment
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