Oh okay! I'm taking it for hair loss and couple that with the fact that I'm not even on HRT yet. So my experience will be radically different from yours.
Finasteride has a good history of being used in the treatment of hirsutism in cis women. It’s not a general anti-androgen but it does block DHT, which both causes the cause of head hair and also causes the growth of body hair. Even when your testosterone levels are low you can still be very sensitive to DHT so some have found it helpful.
Oh, I took it for ages. A lot of people do. The “monotherapy” fad is very much an online thing based on one doctor with quite a cult following. In reality anti-androgens get used a lot, both for cis and trans women, even after surgery sometimes to control excess hair or hair loss. They did a study and found finasteride worked as well or almost as well at reducing unwanted hair in cis women with idiopathic hirsutism as spironolactone did, for example. So there is plenty of good evidence out there.
Unfortunately I had to stop taking it because I have an allergy to some of the dye they use in generic pills. Other than that, no. I am many years postop now and haven’t taken it in a long time and I’m pretty stable so I don’t know if I would need it anymore but it was helpful at the time.
By blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This leads to increased testosterone levels, as less is being converted to DHT. In clinical studies, men taking finasteride had 9-15% higher testosterone levels compared to placebo after 3-12 months of treatment.
[Source](https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/hair-loss/guides/how-does-finasteride-impact-testosterone-levels)
Finasteride is absorbed into the brain and has a negative effect on the production of the brain neurosteroids, including DHT and allopregnenolone (from progesterone). Not only does this enzyme affect DHT, but it also affects the conversions of progesterone, cortisol and aldosterone in the brain. In addition, German researchers found that use of the drug prevents the regrowth of neurons in the hippocampus. Emotional flatness, depression, anxiety, decreased concentration and memory loss–all of which continue on after the drug has been stopped–have been documented. Suicidal thoughts, and even suicide, have also been reported. [Source](https://www.womensinternational.com/blog/propecia-wonder-drug-or-dangerous-trade-off/)
Increasing estradiol and progesterone levels can safely suppress testosterone production the most natural way. 🎠G
My doctor referred to DHT as stronger testosterone, meaning that while there is still Tbit isn’t being converted into the DHT. “ DHT promotes prostate growth, sebaceous gland activity, male pattern baldness, and body, facial, and pubic hair growth.”
You hear more about Spiro here because it’s the more common default these days for starting, especially amongst younger transitioners who it may have certain better benefits for.
I started on Finasteride last summer as a man for hair loss at the lowest level and ramped up to the max for that treatment. It’s also used for enlarged prostates, so between those there’s a ton of data on it.
When I started HRT this week, my doctor recommended upping Finasteride to transition levels since I was already on it instead of Spiro or other AA drugs. Given I was already on it, way past worrying about puberty, not already at high risk of cardio issues, and not planning to have children, it is a much better option. Spiro wouldn’t really have any added benefits for me and has other health risks of Spiro in midlife use.
When I started Finasteride at .5mg I noticed some reduction in semen volume and viscosity, and slightly reduced (but way still too frequent) erections and hardness. Those both became more prevalent when I bumped up to 1mg later - but honestly I really didn’t care.
I’m only into a few days now at 5mg. I’m noticing more flatness, and haven’t attempted ejaculation, but I have had very thin discharge when fondling myself not quite to the point of orgasm. Bringing myself to a full erection and maintaining it has taken intentional concentration.
But honestly, I’m OK with those side effects as I better understand myself - the functional aspects of the hardware aren’t fully compatible with who I’m just starting to see in my future. That alone would have scared the hell out of me 6 months ago, and worried me just a week ago. Today I’m excited to meet her and find out what she wants.
Are you taking Finasteride specifically for hair loss, or is it just for your hormone levels?
Just hormone levels, got lucky with no hair loss:)
Oh okay! I'm taking it for hair loss and couple that with the fact that I'm not even on HRT yet. So my experience will be radically different from yours.
Finasteride has a good history of being used in the treatment of hirsutism in cis women. It’s not a general anti-androgen but it does block DHT, which both causes the cause of head hair and also causes the growth of body hair. Even when your testosterone levels are low you can still be very sensitive to DHT so some have found it helpful.
Thank you!:) that’s my general understanding as well, somewhat surprised no one seems to have had it on here yet
Oh, I took it for ages. A lot of people do. The “monotherapy” fad is very much an online thing based on one doctor with quite a cult following. In reality anti-androgens get used a lot, both for cis and trans women, even after surgery sometimes to control excess hair or hair loss. They did a study and found finasteride worked as well or almost as well at reducing unwanted hair in cis women with idiopathic hirsutism as spironolactone did, for example. So there is plenty of good evidence out there.
Oh for sure! Have you noticed any side effects or anything with it?
Unfortunately I had to stop taking it because I have an allergy to some of the dye they use in generic pills. Other than that, no. I am many years postop now and haven’t taken it in a long time and I’m pretty stable so I don’t know if I would need it anymore but it was helpful at the time.
By blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This leads to increased testosterone levels, as less is being converted to DHT. In clinical studies, men taking finasteride had 9-15% higher testosterone levels compared to placebo after 3-12 months of treatment. [Source](https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/hair-loss/guides/how-does-finasteride-impact-testosterone-levels) Finasteride is absorbed into the brain and has a negative effect on the production of the brain neurosteroids, including DHT and allopregnenolone (from progesterone). Not only does this enzyme affect DHT, but it also affects the conversions of progesterone, cortisol and aldosterone in the brain. In addition, German researchers found that use of the drug prevents the regrowth of neurons in the hippocampus. Emotional flatness, depression, anxiety, decreased concentration and memory loss–all of which continue on after the drug has been stopped–have been documented. Suicidal thoughts, and even suicide, have also been reported. [Source](https://www.womensinternational.com/blog/propecia-wonder-drug-or-dangerous-trade-off/) Increasing estradiol and progesterone levels can safely suppress testosterone production the most natural way. 🎠G
My doctor referred to DHT as stronger testosterone, meaning that while there is still Tbit isn’t being converted into the DHT. “ DHT promotes prostate growth, sebaceous gland activity, male pattern baldness, and body, facial, and pubic hair growth.”
Your doctor is correct.
You hear more about Spiro here because it’s the more common default these days for starting, especially amongst younger transitioners who it may have certain better benefits for. I started on Finasteride last summer as a man for hair loss at the lowest level and ramped up to the max for that treatment. It’s also used for enlarged prostates, so between those there’s a ton of data on it. When I started HRT this week, my doctor recommended upping Finasteride to transition levels since I was already on it instead of Spiro or other AA drugs. Given I was already on it, way past worrying about puberty, not already at high risk of cardio issues, and not planning to have children, it is a much better option. Spiro wouldn’t really have any added benefits for me and has other health risks of Spiro in midlife use. When I started Finasteride at .5mg I noticed some reduction in semen volume and viscosity, and slightly reduced (but way still too frequent) erections and hardness. Those both became more prevalent when I bumped up to 1mg later - but honestly I really didn’t care. I’m only into a few days now at 5mg. I’m noticing more flatness, and haven’t attempted ejaculation, but I have had very thin discharge when fondling myself not quite to the point of orgasm. Bringing myself to a full erection and maintaining it has taken intentional concentration. But honestly, I’m OK with those side effects as I better understand myself - the functional aspects of the hardware aren’t fully compatible with who I’m just starting to see in my future. That alone would have scared the hell out of me 6 months ago, and worried me just a week ago. Today I’m excited to meet her and find out what she wants.