tenderness in the nipples (finasteride)

[moobs123]

Hey there, I recently started taking finasteride ( about 1 month and a week ago). I'm 22 years old and already started to see a few bald spots in bad lighting so I wanted to give finasteride a try. In the beginning I only had some testicular pain which I read was quite common and that you just had to push through with it so I did. But now since a few days I notice my nipples are pretty sensitive/tender. I haven't seen any noticeable gynecomastia in the mirror ( I already had some slight gynecomastia from when I was a teenager I believe, but have not seen an increase I believe since starting finasteride). So my question is what would you guys do? lower the dosage to about 0.5mgr per day? (taking the recommended 1mgr a day atm). Or would you keep taking the 1mgr per day and monitor if my gynecomastia gets any worse? I know that some will advise me to talk to a professional about this but there aren't any good hair clinics in my country (malta). And the way I got finasteride was just to pursue my dermatologist with some confidence as she wanted to prescribe me minoxidil instead. Also do you guys think tenderness/sensitivity necessarily means my gynecomastia getting worse? And how reversible would it be if it does get worse?

[BaldBearded]

See a doctor!

[moobs123]

I already made an appointmernt with the dermatologist I was seeing, but she already told me it's not her expertise. I am just looking for what other people think, or their experiences. logically I think the best thing to do is check if my estrogen levels are too high, if that's the case lower the dose to 0.5mg and see if it still progresses. Or maybe use an aromatiser in conjunction, but Id rather not fight one drug with another one. But lets see what my dermatologist has to say I guess

[mia9494]

I'm having the same issue as you mines was more of a sharp pain once in a while very transient in the beast area but no visible difference. It could subside with continue use of the drug cause I've noticed recently thats its kinda gone away very rarely would I feel it but I've been also taking Zinc to help block the estrogen.A dermatologist is probably not the best person to talk to about this or general gp I think a Anti-Aging doctor that deals with hormones would be the best person to talk to. I'm leaving the Aromatase inhibitor as last resort If I feel it again due to what you just said taking two drugs in not ideal at our age but Propecia is the only thing that really works so its a tough call no doubt.

[moobs123]

Hey, thank you for your response. For how long have you been taking finasteride exactly so far? Do you think taking zinc will have much of an impact on decreasing estrogen ? the way I understand it is finasteride is more lik the wrath of god on your hormones, so Im not sure if any natural remedies or something will have an impact on it. I have been trying to cut bodyfat since a couple weeks, cause I was a bit scared of the finasteride causing weight gain as well. I also read that bodyfat on its own boosts your estrogen level. As for the dermatologist, it's quite hard to get good medical help over here in Malta I feel like. There are not any reputable hair clinics (of course it's a very small country). But I will try to look for an anti-aging doctor, thank you for that tip.

[mia9494]

4 months now. But Forsure Zinc isn't even close to taking a drug like Anastrozole but I just thought it can't hurt.The thing about these amostase inhibitors is that good luck trying to find a doctor to prescribe you it and get onboard with what your trying to do, my general doctor just told me to get off the drug but he's not losing his hair so you kinda have to think for yourself and outweigh the benefits vs the risk. A lot of doctors wouldn't want to get involved in something like that unless they specialize in that. And to be honest in my case so far the wrath has been actually good besides the breast issue I've actually noticed increase in sex drive and more energy in the gym since ive started the drug. I just try not to think about the side effects and take the drug for what it is and that is block DHT and stop my hairloss. And in the process its probably increasing my Estrogen but it might also be my body adjusting to the drug. You'll might have to do a bit more research since your there but they should have those docs over there.But for a Hair Clinic you'll probably forsure have to travel to see a reputable surgeon.

[BaldBearded]

I already made an appointmernt with the dermatologist I was seeing, but she already told me it's not her expertise. I am just looking for what other people think, or their experiences. logically I think the best thing to do is check if my estrogen levels are too high, if that's the case lower the dose to 0.5mg and see if it still progresses. Or maybe use an aromatiser in conjunction, but Id rather not fight one drug with another one. But lets see what my dermatologist has to say I guess

A different doctor! She already said it's NOT her expertise, that should be a sign you need to see someone else.

[moobs123]

Thank you for your responses, it's much appreciated. I already made an appointment with a endocrinologist, thats a doctor supposedly specialised in hormones (the 27th was the soonest available, Ill just stick with 1mgr a day until then I suppose) and I canceled the one with my dermatologist. I will just get some blood work done and go from there. I think the main ones I should test for would be my free flowing testosterone and my estrogen levels right? And if my estrogen levels aren't completely out of wack Ill just stick with the 1mgr a day, and if they are Ill try lowering the dosage to 0.5mgr. Like you said the aromatase inhibitors are a last resort. I would not even mind a tiny bit more gyno, if it would mean good improvement to my hair. I just don't want full blown man breasts as that would look kind of ridiculous, but I guess that doesn't happen that often. I think probably more often from what Ive read the side effects will subside without getting more gyno, or maybe a slightly increase in gyno.

[BaldBearded]

Very very smart idea.

Good luck!