A Review Of Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)
What Is PFS?
Finasteride is a drug that inhibits 5α reductase, so decreasing the conversion of testosterone to the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It has clinical applications for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and male pattern hair loss (MPHL), with the former being the more commonly prescribed medical condition for it.
Whilst drug side effects were initially reported to resolve in short time or discontinuation of finasteride, it is now known that they can persist in a condition known as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS). These include a wide range of symptoms such as sexual e.g. erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, neurological disorders and others.
The syndrome also applies to patients suffering from the same, persistent side effects of another drug called dutasteride, which was developed for the same medical conditions.
Background And Key Developments
Finasteride was approved for BPH (named as Proscar) in 1992 and for MPHL (as Propecia) in 1997, with the first reported case of Post Finasteride Syndrome in the year 2000.
One of the earliest studies on PFS was reported in 2011 when 71 otherwise healthy men aged 21–46 years’ old suffered a new onset of sexual side effects from finasteride which persisted for 3 months or more, despite drug discontinuation. This date is consistent with the establishment of the Post Finasteride Syndrome Foundation in 2012, which presents related data and helps fund research into PFS biological mechanisms.
But you may find reports from organisations with vested interests e.g. dermatology and trichology clinics, that record much later cases of Post Finasteride Syndrome. Some questionable, associated causes and PFS case numbers are commonly indicated in those reports. Also, there are reported disputes from medical authorities, sometimes denying that the condition even exists!
Since 1997, key activity has included ongoing changes to patient information leaflets (as some PFS cases were exposed) and litigation, with financial settlements. From ~2008, > 17 countries e.g. the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), warned finasteride prescribers of potential side effects including depression and sexual side effects, even after cessation. Only last year, 24 years after the 1st reported case of Post Finasteride Syndrome, did UK medicines regulator MHRA announce a patient alert card for psychiatric and sexual side effects. Also that year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced a review of data related to suicidality with finasteride and dutasteride.
Meanwhile cases of PFS escalate, with more than 25,000 reported to-date - a figure that continues to increase at an alarming rate e.g. 1,000/month in the past 3 months! And, as is often the case with medical conditions reported by sufferers e.g. UK’s MHRA Yellow Card system, it’s known that the actual number could be 10-20 times higher. That’s probably because few are aware of relevant reporting systems and/or prepared to report related symptoms.
Medical Treatment And Activity
Surely the medical community has now developed a cure or, at least, effective treatment(s) for Post Finasteride Syndrome - some 25 years after it was first recognised? Er…. seems not!
The Post Finasteride Syndrome Foundation acknowledges that stark fact and it works closely with the medical community.
Of course, there’s been numerous research papers written on the subject of PFS and its effects, which often conclude that activity is urgently needed to at least relieve the horrendous side effects of the drugs - from which its manufacturers profited handsomely. But sadly for sufferers, NO cure or effective treatment exists to this day.
Of course, it’s totally understandable why most or all patients would not trust medical doctors nor consider pharmaceutical drugs for their Post Finasteride Syndrome anyhow, since a drug caused the problem in the first place!
Is There Any Good News?
Yes. A combination of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle offers the potential for at least partial recovery from Post Finasteride Syndrome. Some general points on diet, exercise and supplements are listed in articles, along with some related laboratory tests. Whilst such broad information may help some to an extent, an effective protocol is likely to be patient-specific, as is common with most/all therapies. So, personalised and more targeted treatment plus ongoing care from a knowledgeable practitioner, ideally who is registered and qualified in Nutritional Therapy and Exercise is vital - for optimum recovery prospects.
Do you want to optimise your Post-Finasteride Syndrome recovery prospects (with the added potential of other health benefits) via a Health Coach who is both a qualified, registered Nutritional Therapist and Personal Trainer and who understands and specialises in PFS?
If so, click here to schedule a FREE discovery call.
This blog is produced using recorded personal information and has been compiled in good faith for educational purposes. It also includes reference(s) to other information provided by relevant organisations sourced via the internet and my related interpretation. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above, I cannot accept liability for any unknown errors, omissions or misinterpretation of the information.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice which can be sought from a medical professional or other healthcare provider.
