Anyone who had eliminated side effects of finasteride with lower dose

[2020]

The results I posted were for the MTOPS study. I'm now noticing that other 5 mg studies are showing much lower rates of side effects and I'm not sure why (maybe has to do with the patient samples used).

http://www.drugs.com/pro/proscar.html

The PLESS study shows no difference between the control and finasteride groups RE: impotence (and some other sides) after year 1. Hmm.

It also shows that people on placebo got the same side effects at almost the same rate as people on Propecia....

[25 going on 65]

Yeah that's what I meant. After year 1 the rates get very similar (even identical for some sides) in the PLESS study.

Just to be clear, these studies are for 5 mg finasteride tablets (Proscar) and not 1 mg Propecia tablets.

[chrisis]

How does someone who has suffered side effects interpret this study? I assume it means they may as well have been given sugar pills and the probability of having side effects would have been virtually the same.

Correct?

[25 going on 65]

The study indicates that in years 2-4, the rate of side effects between the control and finasteride groups became extremely similar (not quite equal).
I haven't read the complete study, so there are probably factors we're not considering.
This doesn't mean that your sides were unrelated to finasteride or that they were psychosomatic. But it does seem to suggest that they have a high chance of resolving themselves if you continue on the medication. (Consider the side effect rates of year 1 vs. years 2-4 in that study).

That said, I don't see anything wrong with lowering your dose for the short term and seeing how you feel.

[chrisis]

I'm not sure we know enough about these studies.

What if the people who took the finasteride and experienced lower libido withdrew from the study? That would lower the % after 2 year. Heck, some may have withdrawn before the first year.

Not trolling. Serious questions...

[25 going on 65]

The full study should mention any participants it lost track of before the 4-year mark. I would read it myself but I'm being a lazy bastard.

But you're right, the full text will have relevant details we can't see from the table.

And we know you aren't trolling. Believe me, the last couple weeks have given us a heavy dose of what actual forum trolling looks like.

[superdudeo]

Hi.

I also started in November like chrisis and noticed lack of libido almost straight away but have persisted to see if they subside. Unfortunately they haven't and I think I will stop taking it now.

How long do you think you should persevere for before calling it a day?

Thanks

[25 going on 65]

Hi.

I also started in November like chrisis and noticed lack of libido almost straight away but have persisted to see if they subside. Unfortunately they haven't and I think I will stop taking it now.

How long do you think you should persevere for before calling it a day?

Thanks

According to the PLESS study we were discussing, it seems that the rate of side effects drops to near-placebo levels during the second year. I don't know how long between the end of year 1 and the end of year 2 it would take.
There is a chance that you will have side effects for as long as you take the drug, and there is also a chance that the sides may resolve before the end of year 1. Everyone is different. In the end, the choice to quit or continue the drug is up to you.
You might consider speaking to a doctor about your decreased libido in the meantime. Good luck.

[superdudeo]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

If I gamble on waiting a year to see if they subside could this damage me more in the long term if they don't subside?

[25 going on 65]

You're welcome.
There's no scientific evidence concluding that finasteride causes any kind of irreversible damage.
There is evidence that a small percentage of men take months to recover from side effects after quitting (although this study was performed on older men using 5 mg tablets instead of 1 mg). Some of them had not recovered at the six month mark (although this was true of some men in the placebo group also).
There are anecdotal reports of side effects lasting many years for an extreme minority of past users (after quitting), but there's no way to tell if finasteride caused this. I'm guessing it will be studied more over time.

Almost nothing is 100% certain with pharmaceuticals, but the answer to your question is most likely, "no."

[StressedToTheBald]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

If I gamble on waiting a year to see if they subside could this damage me more in the long term if they don't subside?

Its a gamble I wouldn't recommend. If You have side effects, stop now and don't play with Your health any more. Both Boston & Washington study, Dr. Traish and Dr. Irwig report that propecia may cause permanent erectile dysfunction and much more - also including high grade prostate cancer.. if permanent ED happens, Dr. Traish relates it with the fact that propecia can change 5-alpha reductase in the brain, and this impact may be permanent - no cure is available ! I'd never gamble with that, its one of the reasons why I never started propecia treatment. Its a hazardous drug that will either get banned or risks and warnings will be upgraded to extreme health hazard level, in order to reflect the reality and latest findings about this drug.

[2020]

Its a gamble I wouldn't recommend. If You have side effects, stop now and don't play with Your health any more. Both Boston & Washington study, Dr. Traish and Dr. Irwig report that propecia may cause permanent erectile dysfunction and much more - also including high grade prostate cancer.. if permanent ED happens, Dr. Traish relates it with the fact that propecia can change 5-alpha reductase in the brain, and this impact may be permanent - no cure is available ! I'd never gamble with that, its one of the reasons why I never started propecia treatment. Its a hazardous drug that will either get banned or risks and warnings will be upgraded to extreme health hazard level, in order to reflect the reality and latest findings about this drug.

Don't listen to him!!!!! He's a well known troll here

[25 going on 65]

superdudeo,

Please don't allow StressedToTheBald's fear mongering to worry you. The studies he's referencing are not controlled scientific studies. He has been spamming the forum for weeks with hysterical posts about finasteride, which he has never used.

Anyway, feel free to ask any further questions you may think of.

[chrisis]

superdudeo, so I'm in the same boat as you exactly! I withdrew nearly a week ago, and I'm waiting for normality.

I wouldn't recommend staying on the drug if you've had side effects.

And I wouldn't recommend listening to people who haven't had symptoms who basically suggest it's psychological or psychosomatic.

There are enough of us on these forums to suggest otherwise.

[2020]

There are enough of us on these forums to suggest otherwise.

yes but do you know how POPULAR finasteride is??? BRAND NAME PROPECIA alone makes about $400 million a year... god knows how many millions are made from generics.

Millions of people use this drug every day and for the most part they stay quiet about their success. A couple people on this forum don't mean jack amongst millions