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After trying several other drugs for prostate enlargement, my doctor prescribed a testosterone antagonist called finasteride. Is this one of the testosterone blockers spoken of in these pages? It's side effects include tenderness of the nipples, and according to my doctor, enlargement of breasts that are already there due to gynocomastia.
Is there anything else I should know before taking this drug?
TIA
Liz
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The Road Not Taken...
In 2003, I started taking a Blood Pressure medication that is no longer used, but was widely prescribed at the time, can't remember the name of it. In 2004, I decided to take the Bull by the horns and found a cheap Castration. I reasoned that with NO testosterone, my Prostate would not grow. I was 56. By 2007 I did SRS.
Properly prescribed the benefits far outweigh the side effects
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride
Finasteride like Spironolactone are drugs created for one purpose that have been prescribed for their side effects to individuals who are trans.
Finasteride was developed primarily to combat an enlarged prostrate.
Spironolactone was generally developed to treat high blood pressure and edema by serving as a diuretic.
They are both classified as antiandrogens as they inhibit the production of testosterone. For that reason sexual function in a male may be affected. Lowering of testosterone in a male's system can lead to an increase in some secondary female sexual characteristics as all males also have estrogen in their systems that is normally overpowered by testosterone. In its absence the effects of estrogen in a male's system may be heightened leading to some breast growth among other things like increased hair growth on a male's head.
Commentator
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With any drug there are "possible" side effects
Finasteride is prescribed to damp down the testosterone in males but is also prescribed to prevent male pattern baldness.
There may be a side effect depending on the individual impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, abnormal ejaculation, complete lack of erection, swelling in your hands or feet, swelling or tenderness in your breasts, dizziness, weakness
One's self is the best and only sure way to know if any of the side effects are going to be a problem "if" any of them show up. If stopping enlargement of the prostrate gland is the only effect of course one would never know unless there was a scan or the doctor was doing the invasive feel.
I've been taking it for over five years. Nothing to report.
I wish you best on whatever path you choose in your life.
hugs Liz
Barb
Life is meant to be lived, not worn until it's worn out.
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Yes, it is commonly used......
As an androgen blocker. It is often prescribed in place of spironolactone, which was in fact originally prescribed for high blood pressure as it is a diuretic. However, spironolactone can also cause kidney problems as it is potassium sparing and can result in issues due to that.
Finasteride is often prescribed to men to reverse hair loss. It is also prescribed for men with enlarged prostate glands. It is also an androgen blocker, and the known side effects in men are reduced libido, tenderness and possible enlargement of the breast tissue.
Both are used as part of a hormone regimen for MTF transgender patients. Both drugs were designed to treat other issues, but as is often the case, they can be prescribed for other reasons. Due to their well known side effects, they have been commonly used to block testosterone in transgender patients.
At one time or another, I was prescribed both drugs - not at the same time of course.
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
My situation
The enlarged prostate is literally making itself felt. I didn't really notice it until the earlier medication kicked in. All of sudden I didn't feel bloated, could sleep through the night rather than waking 4-5 times to pee, and indigestion was virtually eliminated. That sucker must be huge !
I am firmly in the closet due to wifely objections. It is delightful to me that the earlier medications had intolerable side effects, so that I'm forced to take one w/ side effects that I desire. Impotence is not an issue as the arteries in my groin are so blocked that I am incapable of an erection already!
Many thanks to all for the information and the hugs!!
Liz
Finiasteride is one of about
Finiasteride is one of about eight drugs that can cause gynecomastia in men.
"When used by men, finasteride is generally safe but it can also cause serious side effects, including but not limited to allergic reactions, sexual dysfunction, and high-grade prostate cancer. Most patients find that problems with sexual function resolve when they stop taking the medicine."
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I have had to take six of these drugs as they were the only ones that worked to treat my depression. The drugs that were more benign in nature just didn't get the job done.
Drug-induced gynecomastia
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Side effects
In addition to those with Finasteride and Spironolactone , Allopurinal often prescribed for gout also has the same potential side effect. Mind you being prescribed all three tends to result in 'growth time' and they don't 'diet away'; having lost 17kgs (37lbs+), they are still there! - costs a lot of money in clothing when you lose weight doesn't it!
I'm on finasteride
As part of my HRT I was prescribed Spironolactone as a testosterone blocker, but kidneys won't tolerate Spironolactone in doses large to bring my testosterone down to the level we are looking for, so my doctor switched me to finasteride.
I've been on it for about 2 years now. I'm also taking Climara which is Estradiol. The idea of this combination is to develop breasts. Interestingly enough, the combination is quite similar to the prescription prescribed for my brother in the aftermath of having his enlarged prostate removed and finding it to be cancerous. Since my father also had prostate cancer that by taking this I'm being proactive in staving off prostate cancer.
But yes, I did experience tenderness of the nipples and breast enlargement, but that was the point of the whole thing.
Listed in the side effects on the drug info:
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
lump in the breast
nipple discharge
breast enlargement/tenderness/pain
pain in the testicles
inability to urinate
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
I also am on finasteride for enlarged prostate
I know there may be many side effects, but after 2 years, the only one to affect me is loss of erectile function. I am over 80 and a widower for 8 years, so I can't say that is a hardship. My real problem associated with prostate enlargement was a recurrent secondary urinary tract infection. Antibiotics gave temporary relief, but following discussion with the specialist (over the risk of breeding my own antibiotic-resistant bacteria) he prescribed "Hyprex" which is a bactericide to which the bacteria have no defence (it kills them by releasing formaldehyde in the bladder).