What is Post-Finasteride Syndrome & How Can You Avoid It?

Finasteride is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitor, a medication for the treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, whereby it inhibits testosterone from being converted to DHT. The hormone causes shrinkage and eventually inhibits the growth of strands by hair follicles. It is usually taken as an oral treatment, but a topical version is available as well.

As there are some potential side effects associated with finasteride, people have become concerned with post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Here, we will take a look at some of the characteristics of PFS and how it can be avoided, as well as what Hairy Hair may do to help you with your hair loss.

How does PFS manifest?

PFS is the term used to refer to the side effects of the drug that persist after discontinuation of the drug. The side effects are sexual, physical, psychological, and neurological. The symptoms range from loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, and ejaculatory disorders.

You may be more likely to develop PFS if you already suffer from a mental health issue, such as depression.

Though finasteride is used to minimise DHT levels, in some cases, other naturally occurring steroids can be decreased. PSF patients may have low levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, dihydroprogesterone and 17β-estradiol.

According to research, only a small number of patients experience PFS. A study on Persistent erectile dysfunction in men exposed to the 5α-reductase inhibitors, finasteride, or dutasteride reported that 1.2% of men who took finasteride for over 6 months had erectile dysfunction issues for around 4 years after stopping the medication. 

Another study from the International Journal of Trichology suggested that there are only about 1,000 men who have PFS symptoms, making it extremely rare. 

Further studies are required to see how PFS develops and who is susceptible to it. Anecdotal reports suggest that some PFS patients stated that they returned to being 80-99% better from 1-5 years after developing symptoms.

What treatment can I seek for PFS?

PFS is not well known by the medical community at large, and treatment for it is difficult to come by. In trying to offset some of the undesirable side effects such as depression, a doctor can prescribe SSRIs.

They can, however, add to the potential of developing long-term erectile dysfunction (PED) with finasteride, so they must be monitored. 

It is unlikely that if you stop taking finasteride and don’t experience symptoms while on it, you can develop PFS.

Other possible causes for PFS

As PFS is a relatively new discovery, further research is required to understand if and why it develops. While there is limited evidence for the existence of the condition, PFS has gained enough traction for medical regulators to put disclaimers on finasteride leaflets to highlight the possibility of long-term side effects.

Some researchers think that patients who report PFS could be experiencing a nocebo. This is where a patient experiences adverse reactions to a medication due to their belief that the drug is harmful. Patients can suffer from ongoing problems relating to finasteride because of a nocebo effect that appears similar to PFS symptoms. 

Should I take finasteride?

PFS may be a concern for many people considering taking or who are on the medication. However, it’s important to keep in mind that PFS is very uncommon. The majority of studies have suggested that finasteride is safe and effective as a hair loss treatment.

Like any drug treatment, there are risks that need to be considered before you start on a drug. You can scale down your dose if you start developing adverse side effects to ensure you reduce the symptoms. You can gain an advantage from the drug without experiencing the adverse effects that will be felt.

How can Hairy Hair help me with my hair loss?

Finasteride has been demonstrated to be an effective inhibitor of DHT, stimulating hair growth by preventing the contraction of hair follicles. While possible side effects and safety concerns could be a factor when applying this hair loss product, one must weigh the low risk of side effects.

Though finasteride alone can effectively combat baldness, the addition of other elements to it could create a better platform for stimulating hair growth.

Hairy Hair provides a complete treatment that corrects the majority of baldness issues.

If you experience any side effects while undergoing the treatment, our team is prepared to change your prescription and ship another medication to you at no cost. This will enable you to enjoy the effect of the treatment and rid yourself of the unwanted side effects.

The supplement is a vasodilator and works by opening the blood vessels in the scalp in order to promote the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Once the follicles are supplied with enough nutrients, they are more likely to grow hair that is healthy and strong, so it won’t fall out easily.

The pill is fortified with all-natural ingredients that may be beneficial in the following ways:

It can aid in keratin formation, which stimulates hair growth. It has a natural DHT blocker, and it is anti-inflammatory as well, which creates a healthy environment for the scalp, allowing hair to grow.

You can treat multiple hair loss conditions with a multi-factorial treatment approach using a holistic single daily pill, thus increasing the chances of inducing hair growth compared to using a single ingredient.

Preventing PFS with other treatments

Finasteride has proved effective in reducing hair loss in individuals with high DHT levels in their bodies, a common cause of the condition. Preventing the formation of DHT in the scalp leads to healthier hair growth.

Although some worry about the potential side effects of this drug, like PFS, most individuals will not experience these side effects, and the dosage can be modified to avoid any problems that may arise.

It is important to keep in mind that healthy hair growth demands a range of nutrients and optimal conditions, which may not be provided by finasteride. Choosing a treatment strategy targeting various conditions of hair loss can minimise shedding and thicken new hair, making it less susceptible to further hair loss.

If you are experiencing hair loss and want to take matters into your own hands, then we encourage you to contact Hairy Hair today. It’s simple to get treatment started; submit a quick online form to tell us a little about your balding. One of our qualified Australian GPs will then phone to discuss a customised treatment package with you and answer any questions or queries you have.

Finally, your prescription will be conveniently mailed to your home, freeing you from clinic visits. Our trained team is also there to support and advise you in the process to possibly regain hair and regain self-esteem.