hyperandrogenicity - acne, hair, sweat

I was on and off with propecia 3 times last year and I stopped taking it because of the following side effects. It didn’t really helped thickening my hair and I would say it gave me little bit of diffuse hair loss all over my top head.

  • acne breakout on my face, excessive facial oil
  • unwanted facial hair on my cheek, jaw line
  • acne on my back and arm
  • hair all over body started growing (50% longer than before)
  • underarm sweat which I never had before, my body got much more sweaty

My dermatologist suggested to stop and try it again so I took it for 2 month and then stopped for 3 month and I repeated it. Whenever I took it, I had same sides.

The funny thing is it’s been about 12 month since I stopped propecia, however I still have the following symtoms.

  • it’s much less but still having acne, oily face, face pore is still getting bigger like orange peel
  • now I have sideburns
  • acne on the back and arm are gone right after I stopped
  • body hair is still growing but slowly
  • underarm sweat everyday even in winter time, my body is still much more sweaty

Recently I met with endocrinologist and he explained its because of increased free testosterone and in this case, he suggested me to take oral sprio and propecia together. He warned me of breast swelling and he wanted to start with 25 or 50mg. My potassium level was in good range.

My concern is oral sprio has so many side effects including breast tenderness, raise potassium level, lower blood pressure, decrease sexual ability, tumorigen in chronic toxicity studies in rats etc. The good side is it works very well for hormonal acne - reduce face oil, unwatned face hair, clear up acne.

Anyone who has similar side effects like this? What do you think about the idea of taking oral spiro together with propecia?

Personally, I am against exogenous medications/prescription medications used to “fix” finasteride problems b/c those medicines have their range of side effects as well.

Yes others have.

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … ght=reflex

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … ght=reflex

I would not take Finasteride again.

Before jumping on ANY medications, I would get bloodwork to confirm your hormonal status per the list on this site:

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=92

Oral spiro is very powerful, perhaps investigate natural supplements first depending on what your bloodwork turns up. Or, just give yourself more time to see if things correct themselves.

Jancokr - I too experienced a severe case of Reflex Hyperandrogenicity after taking finasteride, including the symptoms you describe.

Did you make up your mind yet about taking oral Spironolactone? Please keep us updated on your results.

Take care.