I have edited my post after reading the FAQ.
Fin initially upregulates Testosterone production in response to declining DHT levels, since the body’s natural reaction is to maintain homeostasis.
Thus many report an initial burst of libido etc when they first get on the drug for a few weeks, but this can eventually be overcome by rising Estradiol (Estrogen) levels since the elevated Testosterone cannot convert to DHT (an antagonist of Estrogen), since it’s being blocked by Finasteride.
Instead, the Testosterone aromatizes into Estradiol. Hence why some men end up feeling emotional, depressed, sad, likely part of the issue for libido loss and ED, and how one can develop gynecomastia (male breasts). You are altering the androgen/estrogen ratio in your body and in essence feminizing yourself. Not to mention the fact you are reducing a critical androgen, DHT, and blocking the 5AR-II enzyme, both of which are critical to numerous functions in the brain and body.
Besides all that though, I’m sure you realize that this forum is for men that quit the drug and have longterm issues since. It doesn’t seem like you are concerned about such things, since you are continuing to take it on and off – thus, not sure what use this site will be to you.
Regardless… in response to your question about dosing, suggest you read this:
physics.upenn.edu/facultyinf … index.html
I don’t like to give advice to those who would willingly subject themselves to the effects of this medication despite knowing the risks, but if you do not care, then you could probably get away with taking it every 5th or 7th day at the smallest dose possible, since the drug has a flat dose response (inhibits nearly same amount of DHT no matter how much or little you take) and since DHT takes up to 7 days, if not more, to return to baseline after a single dose.
However, my advice to you, after your having viewed the medical literature contained on this site, is that you are playing with fire. I would not risk my health by continuing to use the drug, but it’s ultimately your decision.
If you haven’t already, have a read through the FAQ at the top of this site – because if things go bad, that is what you may potentially be dealing with (crashing T levels, etc), like the rest of us here. Cheers.
thanks for the reply. i haven’t looked through the posts in any detail yet. I really had no idea about how serious the negative side effects can be. I have been getting information from hairloss message boards where user’s ultimate goal is to maintain hair. With so many people reporting negative side effects I wonder why the drug is so freely prescribed. We should at least be given more information and a stern warning.
Yes, and that’s what got most of us in this mess in the first place – vanity. That, and the assurances by Merck that “only 2%” of men experience side effects, that they might resolve with continued use, and if not, most certainly upon discontinuation. Unfortunately this has not been the case for the members of this site, and others out there.
Agreed, however if Merck were to disclose the fact this drug can leave some men with potentially irreversible damage to their endocrine system, health and sexual life, I doubt sales of Finasteride would be so brisk.
Certainly it would make men analyze their decision MUCH more, as opposed to the current way the drug is marketed (“if you have problems, quit and everything goes back to normal – so what have you got to lose by trying it?”)