Anyone else here with finasteride-induced gyno?

[hare]

Gyno formed ~4 months after starting Propecia. Considered surgery but heard gyno may return afterwards if Propecia is continued. If I cannot quit Propecia without balding then (assuming gyno doesn't worsen) I am unwilling to cease the medication.

I researched non-surgical treatments to gyno. Common recommendations: exercise/diet to minimise fat, meds like tamoxifen/letrozole to minimise glandular tissue. I modified my exercise regime and diet - seems to have had a slight benefit. As for meds, anecdotes appear mixed on whether they work.

For those in a similar boat, what have you done to try to mimimise gyno - has it worked?

Those who live in the UK, how do you obtain meds like tamoxifen or letrozole?

[hammer]

 I recall  post through the years of others having this problem so, you can have hair or breast, or both! The Choice is yours to make. Or if it's available in your area try hair transplants instead!

Just a suggestion!

[Askone]

I had pubertal gyne, which finasteride (I feel) worsened.

I had a hair transplant in 2012 and have been on 1mg finasteride daily since then. I had surgery three weeks ago to remove the gland and lipo the chest and am still on the finasteride.

While I don't think the drug 'gave' me gyne, it didn't help the preexisting condition and surgery was the option recommended by the surgeon who did my hair.

[MammaryMan]

I have a bad case caused by Casodex and Avodart (which is a much stronger version, if you will, of finasteride). Propecia is 1 mg while Proscar, the finasteride given to enlarged prostate gland and prostate cancer victims, is 5 mg. Usually, stopping finasteride does not cause the breast to shrink, but we did have one fellow in our prostate cancer support group who was tired of winning wet T-shirt contests, quit 5 mg finasteride, and had a remarkable shrinking of the breasts.

My prostate oncologist (one of the top in the country) refused to prescribe tamoxifen, citing a risk of blood clots, but did prescribe arimidex, a so called aromatase inhibitor, which prevents testosterone from converting to estradiol. I believe this slowed the growth considerably but did not shrink the breasts.

Typically, the prostate oncology specialists who prescribe hormone blockade (which includes finasteride) advise patients of breast growth possibilities and recommend low dose (3 Gray) radiation to the breasts before treatment to mitigate this growth. This is effective around two thirds of the time.

My treatment occurred before my old oncologist was aware of the radiation mitigation possibility, so I am stuck with my painful breasts until I can find a surgeon I like nearby.

[Paa_Paw]

Finasteride.   It has actually been a while but this is a problem that comes up from time to time.    Obviously there are many men who have no problem  with it, but for some of us it is really bad news.  Some merely complain of Gynecomastia, others have significant loss of libido. 

It seems that if you want the hair line of a boy, you might have to be satisfied with the sex life of a little boy too.

[hare]

I had pubertal gyne, which finasteride (I feel) worsened.

I had a hair transplant in 2012 and have been on 1mg finasteride daily since then. I had surgery three weeks ago to remove the gland and lipo the chest and am still on the finasteride.

While I don't think the drug 'gave' me gyne, it didn't help the preexisting condition and surgery was the option recommended by the surgeon who did my hair.

Interesting. Would be great if you could let us know whether or not you notice any return of breast tissue growth assuming you continue finasteride. Who was your surgeon and are you satisfied with the surgery results?

[MammaryMan]

The return of breast tissue after surgery if finasteride is continued -- that is the question. Arimidex prevents testosterone (or at least inhibits it) from turning into estradiol. But Dr. Jacobs, in an earlier post on this matter, says to consult with an endocrinologist, who may be in the best position to answer the question and offer solutions.

[Askone]

I had multiple consultations with en endocrinologist and then general surgeon, who gave me full 'work ups' and concluded that whatever had induced the gyne was no longer evident. All the ratios, etc, were normal and there was no growth or hormonal issues. I was then referred to a specialist plastic surgeon (in Dublin) who did the surgery and I am delighted with the results (despite still moderate swelling, etc at this point 3ish weeks post).

I had a rough period about a year ago which led to me putting on some 25lbs and drinking relatively heavily over a period of about 4-6 months. While also being on the finasteride may have contributed, I reckon the weight gain and alcohol were more relevant factors (that and the pre-existing gland from puberty).

Before seeking the surgical help, I dropped my weight by the 25lbs and gave up the booze, and now post surgery have a flat chest for the first time in 20 years and plan to get in shape and drop another 15-20lbs to reach my 'ideal' weight (I'm 38yrs, 200lbs)

HTH!