Propecia Gyne Surgery

[popozao26]

My Dr. said that my Gyne was due to my extended use of Propecia.  If I get the Gyne Surgery, could I continue to take Propecia?  It works really well for me, and I'd like to keep my hair a little longer.  thoughts anyone?

[nop]

Wait until someone more knowledgable posts an answer, but I would say stop using it.  You dont even want to risk it coming back and having to have a revision. I doubt that would be much fun.  Maybe a different hair medication wont cause it?

[Paa_Paw]

Propecia or Finasteride inhibit the conversion of Testoserone to Dihydrotestosterone. In some men this leads to Gynecomastia. In a small number of men, it can lead to permanent loss of libido etc. even a form of hypogonadism that is very difficult to treat.

I'd rather be bald. Actually, I am bald. Some chicks really like a more mature appearing man.

If you want the hairline of a twelve year old, you may wind up with the sex life of a 12 year old as well.

[popozao26]

thanks for responding guys.  i've stopped the propecia.  going to try rogaine i guess.

[Mastagon]

Gyno from propecia only occurs in 2% of the men who take it for hairloss or prostate size. And its effects on libido are exaggerated.

Finasteride and tamsulosin used in benign prostatic hypertrophy: a review of the prescription-event monitoring data. Shakir S, Pearce G, Mann RD.
 
   "The results of [a] non-interventional observational cohort studies of [the] 14 772 patients treated with finasteride... there were reports [of] gynaecomastia... in 39 patients (0.3% of the cohort)."

Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl. 1999;203:15-20. Fnasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: an update. New indications for finasteride therapy. Ekman P.

"Since DHT potentiates the effect of testosterone on erectile function, the side-effects are (of finasteride were) impotence in 3% of patients, decreased ejaculatory volume, and gynaecomastia in 0.4% of patients."

Drug Saf. 1998 Mar;18(3):161-70. A risk-benefit assessment of treatment with finasteride in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
   Ekman P.


"Finasteride is very well tolerated. However, since 5 alpha-DHT potentiates erectile capacity, a 3 to 4% incidence of impotence has been reported, as well as a decreased ejaculatory volume. Gynaecomastia has been noted in a few patients (0.4%)."

And as far as "permanent loss of libido," not only have I never seen evidence of such a claim, I have never seen evidence that even the mild/moderate reduction in libido by those who take it failed to reverse itself within a year after discontinuing use. I would appreciate proof to back up your claims.

[banner]

Hi Mate

I've had gyno since the age of 14. I started using Propecia 5 yrs ago and like you I have had very good results from it. It has not affected my gyno at all even though my surgeon thought it might.

After surgery he has told me that it is unlikely to cause gyno as the gyno he removed from me was fatty gyno and not glandular. This must explain why I've not noticed any increase in my gyno since taking propecia.

So I guess if your gyno is fatty propecia is ok to use. I certainly will carry on using it as I saw no results with regaine or any other treatment.

Hope this helps.

[nogyne29]

another hair regrowth drug to be aware of is called spironlactone. i used a topical cream form of this drug and i swear that it made my gyne worse. the manufacturer claimed that this topical cream has no systematic side effects. but at least in my case, i would beg to differ. anyway, just wanted to sound the alarm on spironlactone.

[Paa_Paw]

While it is true that there are a significant number of Propecia users who have no ill effect, I believe that the number of adverse side-effects were initially understated. Not because of mal-intent, but because the drug had not been in use long term.

I note that the information you cited was published in 1998-1999. Subsequent information paints a somewhat different picture.

I've asked Hypo to weigh in on this, He has the newest information on this.

We have had many young men check in here with a statement something like: "I've been using Propecia, Now I have Gyne. What can I do?"

[rockin813]

And as far as "permanent loss of libido," not only have I never seen evidence of such a claim, I have never seen evidence that even the mild/moderate reduction in libido by those who take it failed to reverse itself within a year after discontinuing use. I would appreciate proof to back up your claims.[/quote]


You should check out a Group Forum on Yahoo - Finasteride Side Effects.

There are about 900 or so members who claim to have issues from Propecia.  

Read it with a grain of salt.

[Hypo-is-here]

Gyno from propecia only occurs in 2% of the men who take it for hairloss or prostate size. And its effects on libido are exaggerated.

I fundamentally disagree.  It is my opinion from the numbers of Propecia users who end up here and elsewhere that Propecia is significantly associated with gynecomastia and I would not readily accept figures from Merk or other vested sources that suggest otherwise.

And as far as "permanent loss of libido," not only have I never seen evidence of such a claim, I have never seen evidence that even the mild/moderate reduction in libido by those who take it failed to reverse itself within a year after discontinuing use. I would appreciate proof to back up your claims.

Well Eugene Shippen who is the worlds leading expert in the area of male hormones and andrology totally disagrees with you and he goes further by stating that finasteride has been known to cause a very difficult to treat form of hypogonadism- with it often comes reduced libido.  Given that finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone and dihydrotestosterone is the most potent male hormone and required for libido and male performance- it is not remotely odd that libido is reduced.  

Of course you can argue otherwise by using Merks figures in terms of what people have supposedly self reported- but how many men will go to their gps and raise such an issue?  

The fact is there are many men out there annonymously complaining of these effects and lowered libido actually reported as indicated by Merk and studies is merely the tip of the iceberg.

I offer you one case of such and a link to a website that has been put together by people adversely affected by finasteride- Propecia and otherwise.

When there is an entire worldwide community associated with side effects of a given medication it is time to wake up and smell the coffee.

On a personal note I have known as many people end up on this website complaining of gynecomastia following the use of finasteride based products as I have anabolic steroids.  If this site is remotely representative of the associations then propecia is strongly associated with the development of gynecomastia.

For the last two years there has been a non stop steady stream of those that have ended up here due to propecia/finasteride use- some of these people have also complained of reduced libido.

But here is some of that evidence you wanted.

An individuals case and that of many, many others.

http://www.androids.org.uk/stories.html

http://www.propeciasideeffects.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/finasteride_side_effects/