If on Finasteride, how does ur estrogen compare to a woman's? Worried. Third nipple!

[tembo]

I have taken Fincar 5mg for at least 7 years (with some months here and there on Propecia or Avodart during that time). Usually, I take 1/4 tab Fincar 5mg every two days. I think I have some reduction in libido and therefore try not to take this pill every day.

Also, I have gyno, but I am not sure if this is due to Finasteride. I have some family members with gyno too, even though they take no Finasteride. I seem to have the worst gyno though...so not sure.

Anyway, my main worry is not the gyno, but the effect of very high levels of estrogen. Does anyone know if finasteride can make your estrogen levels go even higher than an average woman's levels? I am worried about breast cancer or other issues, but only if the levels are above a woman's. If this is possible, I will get my levels measured.

Lastly, I recently got a spot right below my left nipple on the areola itself (kind of like a third nipple but not as raised, and not outside the areola)...it is slightly raised and looks weird.....anyone have that first appear in their 30s?

 

[Wuffer]

Even a 'normal' estrogen level in a guy could be the same as some women. Normal ranges for sex hormones varies quite significantly from person to person. What's normal to you might not be normal to another. Your body might do fine with large fluctuations, or it might be very sensitive to it.

But if you are speaking about averages, no, finasteride will not increase your e to be even close to the average for women. I think 'normal' for a guy is around 50-100 and normal for a female is 200-400 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). finasteride can increase E by roughly 15%, so you still won't be close to the average range for a woman.

In women, breast cancer is linked to higher estrogen levels. Theoretically, the same can happen in men. However, breast cancer is extremely rare in men, and still not really causally linked to finasteride use, so I wouldn't worry about it. You can get your E levels checked, but don't read into it too much unless you have a baseline (pre-finasteride) measurement. It might seem high, but it might have been high your whole life. For example, check a bodybuilders E levels and they will likely be quite high. It's not a bad thing, it's just what's normal for them.

 

[Quantum Cat]

when did the gyno appear? just recently?

A number of things can cause gyno - mine was caused by a combination of weight gain, an anti-depressant medicine I was taking, and drinking too much alcohol. (alcohol can impair liver function which raises estrogen levels). Fortunately finasteride hasn't made it any worse - although if I ever decided to have surgery I know they would insist I stop the finasteride

some people say that taking too much soya can cause gyno but I don't know how much truth there is in that.

 

[tembo]

Thanks wuffer. I hope the 15 percent figure is true, although I vaguely remember some poster saying his estrogen (or testosterone?) went up much higher.

Quantum, I have had gyno ever since I started finasteride or perhaps even before, but lately its much worse. I am 190lbs, 5'11 but have a high body fat percentage.

 

[Quantum Cat]

so is yours psuedogynocomastia (caused by fat) rather than real gyno (caused by gland tissue)? The good news is, if it's pseudo gyno you might be able to burn some off by exercising - that's what I'm trying to do