Sides Just Started - Please Help!

Member Stories
#14

I also got gyno (this is why I went off Fin to begin with).

And just like you I got testicle ache, but only in my left nut. This was about 6 months into treatment and I didn’t know it was due to Fin.

After I quit my gyno went away in maybe 2-3 months. My left nut probably took closer to one year before it went back to about normal

Many symtoms stuck with me longer or are still there, but these issues (mostly) resolved with time.

Although my balls didn’t hang as low as before Fin. I then recently started with Creatine which is a known upregulator of 5AR.

This has fixed my balls so they now “hang”. It didn’t do much to help with sensitivity or libido (yet atleast). So it’s in no way a “cure” but atleast it relieved some symtoms.

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#15

Hormone rebalance or homeostasis can take up to 6-8 months on average for people with Finasteride problems. I’m basing this off of other people’s experiences. I really couldn’t tell you why it’s this long.

#16

I really appreciate the support guys. I’m just feeling pretty down because this “3 weeks” thing got in my head. What’s the origin of this milestone?

On average, DHT returns to normal within 2 weeks (I lost the reference), but even that is just one element.

FIN does more than just block 5ar, and 5ar does more than just metabolize DHT. So, it’s possible the other observables will take longer to recover.

Anyways… I’m GLAD to hear the gyno resolved along with other symptoms. Did you have / recover from testicular atrophy as well?

I’d imagined hitting summer with a fuller head of hair and pecks. Instead, I’ve got falling hair, sexual deficiency, and man boobs lol

Should have listened to my doc instead of Kevin Mann :roll_eyes:

#17

I was afraid you would see the “3-week” mark from the one person’s post and take it to heart… That’s why I responded saying it’s not an accurate estimate but rather an opinion with no evidence. You need to wait and give it time.

#18

Yeah, “silentpain89” was saying that he’s spent a lot of time filtering through the posts and that was his conclusion.

Just pretty disheartening. I really haven’t had the chance to go through many other posts, but if the 3 week mark is the usual resolution period, then it’s not looking good.

Not sure what to believe though, because I have heard of many people improving months / years later. Don’t have stats, but I also imagine many people improve and drop off the site without saying much.

#19

I have been here for many years and have read most of the posts from the time before I joined. Three weeks is too soon. Plenty of people get better over up to two years. But the harder you have been hit and the longer you have the effects, the bigger the likelihood that they will stick to some extent.

The sooner things improve and the steeper the upward trajectory, the better.

Most people are probably in-between. The have some improvements, while some effects stick.

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#20

Just as side note, other than the testicular atrophy, I pretty much have the same exact symptoms as you. I’m about a month and couple weeks ahead of you, though.

My main symptoms are decreased penile sensitivity and hard flaccid. I also have some gut problems, which may or may not be related in all honesty. I’ve had gyno since birth so I’m not sure if that was affected.

I’ve had some improvements in the numbness, though they weren’t spectacular. It changes in sensitivity throughout the day and it seems the longer I abstain, the more I can “feel” it. I also have some variation in semen consistency (watery vs. viscous) and volume, it fluctuates and isn’t consistent. Hopefully these are familiar with your case and that you aren’t alone.

#21

Hey guys nothing’s really changed and it’s been 3.5 weeks

Any followup advice? Is the recommended strategy just to prioritize overall wellness?

I feel like I should be doing something… the symptoms turned on like a switch, and nothing’s really changed since then

My doctor told me that could take several months for it to return if it’s going to though.

Getting anxious about it… also been feeling kinda out of it, but that could honestly just be stress related to the sexual issues and fear of developing others.

Definitely don’t want to sabotage myself further with nocebo, so trying to stay positive.

#22

I hate to break this to you, but nobody really knows, not on here not anywhere. Hopefully we’ll have a deeper understanding of PFS in the near future. What we do know is people have gotten worse by experimenting with substances so if I were you I’d avoid playing around, especially at this early stage.

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#23

The first months are the worst; both mentally and physically. Personally, I just got out of that phase of hell and it really is like hell. You need to give it time. Your body doesn’t run on the same schedule as you want it to, it takes time to recover from sprains, cuts, abrasions, breaks, strains, etc. You can’t exactly tell your body to hurry up; it just does what it needs to do with what’s available. If you are constantly stressed/anxious/depressed, you actually take away some of the resources that it needs to perform optimally, e.g., body energy management, low energy intake, elevated cortisol, etc.

I’m not saying that I know whether you will recover, no one honestly knows that… but based from my own experience and many others, time usually does improve overall symptoms for most. Full recoveries are quite rare but how we define “full recovery” is also vague. I would consider you fully recovered if your symptoms have improved enough where it becomes comfortably livable.

#24

Hey everyone it’s been about a week and a half since my last post.

Just wanted to say no improvement that I can tell, and testicular atrophy seems to be continuing. I’m not measuring the sizes or anything… wish I had… but I can tell they’re smaller.

The gyno may have improved slightly but it’s hard to really tell.

Sensitivity remains largely the same. Still amazes me how it shut off like a switch. I’m glad I can still get hard and successfully masturbate, but the pre-orgasm experience may be a bit stunted due to decreased sensitivity… and of course I’m analyzing.

Orgasm satisfaction is lower too… I’m not sure why, but it’s not horrible… just not quite the same especially after the 1st.

Today I had 3 masturbation sessions, because I read 4 per day may help PFS… just pulling at straws here lol

One concern still… is the hair. I’ve started on 2x daily minox and will start derma-rolling again next week when I’m back from vacation.

Has anyone had luck taking low dose fin to reverse PFS? I had been fine on low dose, wish I’d just stayed ok it.

Now I wonder if the low dose fin will help fix the hair and help the PFS… hair id the dog they say.

But, yes, I understand that sounds like a bad idea. Also I know… a lot of you are against 5aris so idk…

Will keep you updated thanks again =)

#25

I’d be wary of the minoxidil too if I were you.

It does have some nasty sides which is quite similar to fin. Post minox syndrome is also a thing, but to a less degree than fin. Probably cause it’s applied topically, but even so some always go systemic.

I know how you feel about your hair, but minox won’t stop the loss anyway. Just delay/hide is slightly.

#26

I didn’t start seeing sensitivity improvements for a while. Initially masturbation did help alleviate the symptoms, but I found out that it was more of a psychological thing, for me at least. For instance, I was super concerned about my ability to perform, so being able to masturbate made it reassuring. However, after having recovered mentally (for most part), I can say with confidence that abstinence helps it a lot, mostly around the 4-5 day mark. Also, my sensitivity is better with many days of proper sleep.

#27

I totally get the performance thing, I feel like every day I test myself to make sure I can still successfully masturbate.

My testicular atrophy is really freaking me out… have you heard of hCG? I’ve seen others on this forum talking about it specifically to reverse androgen induced testicular atrophy, and I’ve seen some research on it.

I’m hesitant to try anything this early in the game, but I’m also hesitant not to… because the atrophy has greatest chance of reversal when treatment starts early.

Also thanks for the tip on abstinence. I think I’ll give it a shot then, but everything feels like shots in the dark.

Also… mini-rant… but in the past, doctors helped people find creative, tailored solutions to their medical issues.

These days, in my experience, doctors suggest (and know) little more than the FDA approved solutions and studies.

It makes sense with the risk of malpractice suits and the legal minefield. So… I think individuals primarily solve problems themselves. Not just PFS… lots of shit.

It really opens the door for more medical specialists who don’t necessarily have degrees or “practice” in the traditional sense, but still advise “as-is” for profit.

#28

I’ve heard of this a few times, but I was under the impressin minox is primarily a vasodilator and not androgenic, is that correct? I haven’t had any heart / rhythm issues, but I had seen collagen degradation

#29

From what I understand it interferes with androgen receptor.

It was thought to be only a vasodiliator for a long time but I believe this thinking is obsolete. Oral minox got such a nasty leaflet with side effects it’s ridiculous.

#30

This is really good info… very interesting, thanks so much.

I’ve already cut out my Saw Palmetto shampoo and ketoconazole shampoo.

I’ve been on minox for several years now… maybe I’ll cut it and focus on derma-rolling.

Any known androgen activity there? Though, with most things in life, if you look hard enough for an effect, you’ll probably find something.

——

Also, to the mods, why have I lost the ability to post without review? There was a post I made on another thread which was marked as “unlisted”… no explanation as to why or why I lost my right to poat without review.

#31

Hey @Tyec

Sorry about that - not sure why you were on post approval but I’ve fixed that up for you.

I would completely cut anything that can be anti-androgenic - Saw Palmetto, Keto and Minox included. Some members are here because of those substances alone.

Also, once you have been off the drug for 3 months, could you please help our research efforts by completing the patient survey?

Thanks,
Mitch

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#32

Your taking saw P products after having issues from taking fin? How come ?

#33

No I used to be on it I got off after symptoms hit.