The Effect of St John's Wort on the Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Finasteride in Healthy Men

A 29-year-old male on 1 mg Finasteride for 3 months has experienced a significant increase in testosterone and estradiol levels, with no major side effects except slightly oilier skin and increased emotional sensitivity. The user is concerned about these hormonal changes and seeks advice, as their general practitioner is not knowledgeable about the issue.

The user experienced a significant drop in libido and erectile issues after increasing their finasteride dosage, combining oral and topical treatments. They plan to take a break and resume using a lower concentration of topical finasteride to manage side effects.

Finasteride can affect hormone levels within two weeks, and a break of several weeks is recommended for baseline results. Monitoring E2 and testosterone is suggested to assess the risk of gynecomastia.

Finasteride has no effect on the user's estradiol levels, and body fat may influence aromatization. The user is on testosterone replacement therapy and uses everyday injections to manage high RBC count, with plans to measure DHT, DHEA-S, and pregnenolone levels.

The conversation is about a finding that finasteride does not significantly increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, with users sharing mixed personal experiences regarding side effects.

A user experienced unexpected hormone test results after 7 months on 1mg daily finasteride, noting a decrease in estradiol despite expectations of an increase. Other users suggested that hormone responses can vary and that finasteride might still be effective if DHT levels are within range, while also mentioning factors like circadian rhythm and stress that could impact results.