From all the posts i’ve read it seems plausible to say that finasteride induces a significant rise in the levels of estrogen (estradiol) on those who are taking propecia or proscar. Symptoms are an increase of fat (storage), mood swings, gynocomastia, muscle loss, etc.
However, what baffles me, is that time after time every scientific article i’ve read about research with finasteride & hormones shows that the increase in estrogen is not significant , while for T there does seem to be a slight increase, especially in the beginning of treatment. For example read the latest full research report in the “Finasteride Studies” section, it’s actually one of the better studies I’ve read so far. And it seems to indicate that there’s not very much of an effect of finasteride on estrogen levels…
Any explanations for this? I know there are articles out there made with ‘contributions’ from Merck (for example a rather old research article about finasteride & bone growth in rats, which is highly dubious) , but this one doesn’t seem to have any link with Merck.
I dont know which study you are referring to, but without having read it all I can think of is that men need to have an ultrasensitive assay done as opposed to just a normal E2 blood test. This can sometimes show up estrogen dominence, even with normal E2 results.
A prime example of this is a guy on a hair loss forum who takes fin and developed full blown gyno, yet his E2 was LOW. He has since dissapeared and not gotten further testing to my knowledge.
Also there is Total Estrogen that needs to be considered as well. I know of a few guys who have normal ultrasensitive E2 results, yet their Total E is high. For these guys it seems to be more about how your body metabolises estrogen and somtimes DIM and Calcium D Glucarate helps with this. Of note, Armidex makes them worse and some of these guys havn’t touched finasteride either, but shows you that anything is possible when it comes to hormones.
The name of the study is “DHT inhibitors reduce sperm motility & fertility”, it comprises a good study of the year long effect of finasteride 5mg on certain key hormones.
Interesting remarks btw, guess we will never know. But I know it changed my estrogen levels for the worse when I took it. (fat storage, mood swings, etc.) . This drug should be banned and the company mass sued.
Fin can’t rise your sensitivity to estradiol. It should, though, biologically rise the simple levels of estradiol, because the testosterone levels rise. If it doesn’t do that, we should drop this topic. But still: how the fuck does gyno develop then!?