Decreased libido

[SuprisedGuy]

So the past week or so I've been experiencing way less of a sex drive than usual, it's actually a little startling since I just last week it seemed like it was in overdrive. This is the first time in 2 years I've experienced this, I had some ball aches when I first started finasteride/dutasteride but never a noticeable decrease in libido.

Assuming it is legitimate and not in my head, could the reason for it be that because the dutasteride that I was using for four months is still in my system and I'm on finasteride now so together they're kind of amplifying the side effects?

I hope this passes soon, I'd hate to have to stop taking finasteride since it's done so much for my hair.

EDIT: Meant to post this in the side-effects section.

 

[Joe-1991]

And another one..

2% eh?

 

[SuprisedGuy]

Your sarcasm is not helpful, I've had sides before like ball aches and watery sperm that all went away after a few weeks. My question is directed at anyone whose experienced a similar occurrence when switching from dutasteride to finasteride.

 

[Wuffer]

Hey there. I've been on finasteride for a year, and while I haven't experienced what you have, I would recommend you give it some time to see if it resolves on it's own.

The vast majority of guys who do not tolerate finasteride will have side effects immediately, and persistently until they quit. The fact that you have been on it for 2 years leads me to believe that finasteride is not responsible. Your body has tolerated and adjusted to the decrease in DHT for 2 years; I don't see why it would suddenly no longer tolerate it and cause problems. However, nobody really understands why side effects on finasteride actually occurr, so don't rule this out as a factor.

Many things can cause a drop in libido, most notably stress, anxiety and depression. It happens to all of us, and I know personally that's happened to me even while I was young and in my sexual prime. On finasteride, as before I started, i've had dips and increases in libido. It's part of being an imperfect human.

If this keeps going for a while and concerns you, I would recommend coming off finasteride for a while to see if it helps. Coming off for a short time won't affect your hair, and you can jump right on it and try again after a short time.

Good luck!

 

[SuprisedGuy]

Hey there. I've been on finasteride for a year, and while I haven't experienced what you have, I would recommend you give it some time to see if it resolves on it's own.

The vast majority of guys who do not tolerate finasteride will have side effects immediately, and persistently until they quit. The fact that you have been on it for 2 years leads me to believe that finasteride is not responsible. Your body has tolerated and adjusted to the decrease in DHT for 2 years; I don't see why it would suddenly no longer tolerate it and cause problems. However, nobody really understands why side effects on finasteride actually occurr, so don't rule this out as a factor.

Many things can cause a drop in libido, most notably stress, anxiety and depression. It happens to all of us, and I know personally that's happened to me even while I was young and in my sexual prime. On finasteride, as before I started, i've had dips and increases in libido. It's part of being an imperfect human.

If this keeps going for a while and concerns you, I would recommend coming off finasteride for a while to see if it helps. Coming off for a short time won't affect your hair, and you can jump right on it and try again after a short time.

Good luck!

Hey thanks for the advice, I'm definitely gonna ride it out for a month and I've decreased my daily dose. I definitely had those dips in sex drive as well but I think this time since it was so strong consistently, the sudden drop was more noticeable.

 

[WillNotLetItHappen]

I've been on finasteride for 5 months now (I know not as long as you) but in my experience no two weeks were the same side effects wise. So far I seem to see some every now and then. I would definitely not let it get in your head. Wait for a few weeks before deciding on anything.

Good luck!

 

[SuprisedGuy]

A quick update, last few days my sex drive has seemed to bounce back. I woke up with a cold this morning yet my libido is still high (had morning wood too after a few days of it being gone). I'm not sure if it's the lowered dosage I'm taking but regardless, I'm glad to be near 100% again!

 

[Life_sucks]

I know many people ignore this but stress has an effect also.

My libido is taking a hit right now even though I stopped dutasteride over a month ago. I was on propecia 3 years prior. I'm not on any medication. My libido was fine 2 months back.

I don't get it sometimes, wish there was a way to know what decreases libido. I'm hoping stress is a factor because I just don't think losing libido within few weeks happens naturally with aging.