Post Finasteride Syndrome - transition, orgasmic capabilities?

[Mushrooom]

Hi,

I am new to this forum, I've been lurking around on this forum for some time. However this is my first post.

Since I'm writing from a mobile device I'm going to try to be brief.

I've had some degree of gender dysphoria before. But that is nothing compared to what i am feeling now.
I was balding heavily and having difficult thoughts regarding my gender, so i took finasteride in order to buy me some more time to figure things out before making such a big decision.
Now about 3 months later i am facing the often described side effect of using finasteride.

Not being able to properly orgasm has impacted the quality of my life severly.
I feel even greater dysphoria because of this then i have ever felt. I dont even know if it is gender dysphoria anymore. Or if those thoughts was just sexual perversions.

Now i am stuck in my giant, otherwise manly body with a shrinking penis and difficulties being able to climax. I have never been this close to seriously considering ending my life if this appears permanent. (Which seems more of a rule than an exception when it comes to finasteride)

Is finasteride diffrent from other anti-androgens? Do the effects of diminished libido return afterstopping on for instance dutasteride or spiro? I fear that finasteride has ->-bleeped-<-ed up my brain chemistry beyond recognition.

Now to the more important question. I read that one of the girls on here was given finasteride prior to her HRT treatment, with the diminished sexdrive, numbness, inability to orgasm etc.
And when progesterone was given in addition to estrogen some sex drive returned. How often is this the case?
Has anyone ever recovered their sexual function. Or atleast given their urge back, changed to a more female orgasm or not.... i dont want to live in this twilight zone.

If there is a possibility of regaining my orgasmic power. Either male or female. I would do everything in my power to do so.
My future well being is my biggest concern now.

[MadelineB]

Although there are anecdotal stories of people who lost function or desire due to finasteride, I have seen no reports that would indicate it is different from other treatments or conditions that decrease testosterone and its co-chemicals.

Very common is loss of desire associated with increasing dysphoria. I did experience that, concomittant with taking finasteride. However, have taken it for over a year and still do; desire returned like gangbusters eventually, as I came to love the changes in my body and felt more confidence/comfortable in my skin. My experience is not uncommon. Libido often tracks closely how good we feel about ourselves.

[Mushrooom]

Did your doctor prescribe you anything that raised your libido? Progesterone?  Something? Anything!
Is it so that finasteride completely destoys that part of your life forever? Im 25, had no spermbanking done prior to this hell. So i wont be able to have children if i wanted to.

I fear the worst regarding my finasteride medication. I have no drive, no goals, no energy and no libido.
I dont know if the sluggishness in my head is because of the stress and anxiety or if it is the dreaded brain fog.

Did HRT change your view on your sexual functioning?
Can you obtain any sort of orgasm or excitement?  Nipple, anal stimulation? I would find peace with anything except complete loss of sensation and intrest.
Did anyone find peace in never being able to reach orgasm or have any sexual feelings at all?
I would, perhaps will, find living under those conditions unacceptable. 
I fear that i will want to end my life if this doesn't eventually subside regardless if i transition or not.

Have SRS solved post finasteride symptoms? Or are those once afflicted never able to orgasm regardless if it is estrogen or testosterone fueling their brains?

[spacial]

Firstly, welcome to Susans and thanks for the post.

You absolutely must see a Dr now.

Susans' rightly has a firm policy against any self medication and your experiences are a good reason.

[Mushrooom]

Hi, thanks.

Haven't been self-medicating. I had finasteride prescribed by a doctor for hairloss.
Im just wondering if anyone here managed to live through the horrible side effects. Did the emotional changes of HRT help anyone see past the loss of orgasmic sensations?
Did anyones brain-fog clear up after or with HRT?
Or am i doomed to never feel that again?

[MadelineB]

If you have concerns, talk to an endocrinologist who will order and interpret a decent set of labs. Everyone's mileage may vary but typically most people feel most 'normal' either with a healthy man's hormone levels or a healthy woman's levels, whichever is right for their brain. However declines in levels are a normal part of aging of both sexes and people's libidos adjust just fine.

If you had gender dysphoric feelings before fin, you should also be seeing a gender therapist. It does not go away; it typically increases over time. Independent of hormone levels. You do NOT transition due to any medication or side effects, regardless of the BS in some British tabloids.  The Susans family can help you if you have gender issues, otherwise just work with your doctors to assess your health issues.

90% of libido is between your ears. When you feel right with your body and your relationships, it will tend to return to the normal level for you. There are illnesses and conditions that can affect it. These can include grief, PTSD, depression, and gender dysphoria, and sexuality and relationship matters.

Loss of sensation could be psychogenic or biological. Your doctors can rule things out in ways that we cannot.

Set your fear aside and get help. And don't be surprised if your medication had no role in your changes.

[Mushrooom]

Thanks for your kind replies.

Im not blaming the finasteride for any eventual gender issues. I am however attributing it to my complete loss of pleasure and sensation. It is two different issues.
If i were to transition in the future, i would still like to have the ability to orgasm. And preferrably not have the side effects such as depression and brain fog.

That is why i am asking if anyone has taken finasteride prior to HRT and conquered the side effects or atleast came to terms with the fact they lost orgasmic sensations.

[MadelineB]

My regular physician had me on finasteride about 6 months before I began standard cross-gender hormone replacement therapy that knocked my free testosterone near to zero and gave me high levels of E. My libido and responses are very different than they were in boy mode, but not less. One of my pet theories is that brain and sexual responses to medications depends in part on the unique configuration of our brains. I can only speak for mine, that I prefer the multiple, full body orgasms that I routinely experience now to the localized wham-bam-thankyou maam o's that I usually had in boy mode. It takes me more to get interested and revved up than it did when my brain was in boy mode, but when I do this motor can really roar, for hours and hours.
Finasteride probably has a more profound effect on a brain that is already configured for a female pattern-- its going to take more than reducing DHT levels to knock down most men's libidos. I would just advise you to 1) get totally checked out to rule out all the scarier-than-a-reaction-to-fin possible reasons for your symptoms, and at the same time 2) don't worry about your sexual response being permanently gone. It comes from the brain, and it adapts to all kinds of life changes minor and major. It can be disconcerting when there are changes, but in the absence of serious untreated medical illness, it comes back. Oh yes. And not only can you get off by prostate stim, but also by a lick, a kiss, a touch, or the thought of a gentle breath on the back of your neck... whatever pushes you over the edge while feeling safe, loved, and wanted for who you are.