Finasteride is a drug that is frequently prescribed to males to treat prostate enlargement and pattern hair loss. It functions by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. However, it leaves many people wondering: does finasteride lower free testosterone?
In this guide, we will discuss the effects Finasteride can have on your body and if it lowers testosterone.
Androgens, or male sex hormones, include both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Both of them are essential for the growth and functioning of organs, particularly in infancy. But both differ in various ways.
Testosterone is not as powerful as DHT. It shrinks your hair follicles by binding more firmly to the androgen receptors in them. DHT is essential for a child’s physical development during childhood, but its importance decreases with puberty. In adulthood, DHT levels can be safely decreased.
According to experts, a healthy range for DHT is 14-77 ng/dL, whereas a normal range for testosterone is 270-1070 ng/dL.
Finasteride inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which stops testosterone from being converted to DHT. As a result, less DHT is converted, which raises testosterone levels. After 3–12 months of treatment, men on finasteride had 9–15% greater testosterone levels than those on a placebo in clinical trials.
However, a few things counteract this increase in testosterone. Initially, the body adjusts to increased testosterone levels by decreasing pituitary luteinizing hormone output. This lowers the testosterone production. Secondly, the quantity of free testosterone that is accessible to tissues is decreased when more testosterone binds to albumin and other proteins.
So, to answer your question, “Can finasteride lower testosterone”, long-term finasteride treatment ultimately results in unaltered levels of total and free testosterone.
One of the well-known finasteride side effects is erectile dysfunction, which is linked to low testosterone. So, if finasteride is known to raise testosterone levels, why does it happen?
The active androgen that keeps an erection going is called DHT. Therefore, the decrease in DHT may make it harder for you to achieve or sustain an erection even with an increase in testosterone. Thankfully, just 1.3% of Finasteride users experience erectile dysfunction as a side effect. If you feel that your testosterone levels are dropping, you can always use a testosterone booster to help with any problems.
Men with enlarged prostates who have symptomatic BPH may benefit from using finasteride 5 mg pills. Finasteride reduces symptoms related to the lower urinary tract, including urgency during the day, recurrent voiding at night, weak stream, straining, and extended voiding. Finasteride reduces the likelihood of prostate surgery. When BPH symptoms progress, men may use this medication in addition to doxazosin to reverse hair loss.
Finasteride tablets can temporarily raise testosterone levels in the first few months of treatment by preventing its conversion to DHT. Over time, though, this effect will decrease. After a year, the levels of testosterone will return to their pretreatment levels and stay constant with continuous use.
There is usually no discernible change in testosterone levels whether you’re taking it for a short time or a long time. These results verify that finasteride has no effect on testosterone levels over the long run.
No. Finasteride withdrawal will increase DHT but not testosterone levels. Your testosterone levels will actually decrease since DHT is produced when more testosterone is converted to the active form.
You may experience a relapse in hair loss if you stop using finasteride. You can consider switching to topical Finasteride, which can preserve your hair while lowering the risk of side effects if you wish to discontinue taking Finasteride without losing your hair.
Men who have seen bald spots, receding hairlines or thinning hair are not alone. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, approximately 50% of all males over 50 will experience some degree of male pattern baldness. Such males usually resort to Finasteride to stop hair loss. But should you take Finasteride for hair loss?
About two-thirds of men who use finasteride regularly go on to develop hair regrowth. Finasteride has proven to be clinically helpful in 90% of men with male pattern baldness. While there are some sexually-related side effects that come with Finasteride, you can always reverse them when you stop taking the medicine.
Finasteride is a common medication for hair loss and almost 2/3rd of the doctors recommend it to reverse hair loss in men. However, most people are scared to take this medication because it is known to cause erectile dysfunction. Just like with any other medication, there are certain side effects of taking it. But it’s not a reason to worry. The side effects do not affect every man who takes Finasteride. Additionally, these side effects will fade away once you stop the medication, which is a plus. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before taking any medication.
Yes, some finasteride users may see a mild rise in their estrogen levels. Finasteride raises testosterone levels, and testosterone can aromatize into estradiol, which explains the rise of estrogen. Some men may experience erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, and problems ejaculating due to elevated estrogen levels. Depression and a rise in body weight are further negative effects of this medication. These side effects, however rare, should go away after the medicine is stopped.
Finasteride, often known as Propecia, works by reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone in the blood, which falls by roughly 70%. Topical Finasteride does not lower testosterone levels.
Typically, testosterone levels rise by 10–20% while taking finasteride. Although it varies, most people experience a rise in that range. Most of the time, this keeps people’s free testosterone levels within normal ranges, but it’s always a good idea to monitor them over time.
Finasteride raises testosterone levels in the initial months and then goes back to normal after a few months have passed. Overall, the testosterone level remains the same.
