Sexual function has all but ceased on finasteride. What should I do?

Symptoms
#1

Hey guys this is my first time posting here and I’m just wondering if anyone can give me some advice.

I’m 21 and a NW1 with mild-moderate diffuse thinning. I’ve been taking 1mg finasteride for about 2.5 years. The first 1.75 years were fine. My hair loss stabilized and I had no side effects. I did notice a loss of morning wood a while back but never really thought much about it. Then within the last 8 months I began having a steady decrease in libido and erection strength, stamina, and sensitivity. I didn’t really notice any of it except for erection strength. Even then I didn’t think much of it until it started becoming a nuisance the last few months. I knew the occurrence of sides were low (somewhere around 7-8% for my age range) so I never really attributed these issues to the drug.

Then about 2 months ago it got so bad I couldn’t even get an erection and if I was lucky enough to get one, it would take at least 20 minutes and wouldn’t last. I thought it may be porn related so I started the nofap challenge and have made it two weeks with no increase in sex drive or even the slightest desire to masturbate. I’m now starting to get really concerned. What should I do going forward?

#2

First eat sorghum grain and take Curcumin Phytosome and do fasting everyday. See what happens after a few weeks.

Don’t use aphrodisiacs and artificial means to increase erections and sex drive like garlic because that’s not a long term solution for a young man. You need to fix the problem that’s blocking your natural libido

#4

someone ban this troll please, thank you in advance

#5

Hey,

This is a board for those suffering persistent and diverse sexual, physical and neurological problems after cessation of 5ari medication or other potentially connected substances. What you are currently experiencing are side effects from a medication you are on, and this is not the same as PFS. I am sympathetic to your position but, as you probably know, PFS isn’t widely recognised and its molecular mechanism is not yet fully understood, so nobody here can give you advice as to what you should do.

The drug is very powerful even in low doses and has an unusual dose response curve, meaning that any notable tapering would require dosing below 0.05mg, so titrating down wouldn’t be easy nor is there any current suggestion it could make a difference. You’ll have to make a choice as to whether to stay on it or come off. PFS is rare and not the same as side effects on the drug, and there is every likelihood that upon stopping the medication your side effects will resolve. Personally, as my PFS onset terribly after one dose of a second use, I would very much suggest not using a 5ari again if you decide to stop.

All the best, and if you find yourself experiencing effects after withdrawal of fin we’re here and you can make another topic.

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