Immunohistochemical evaluation of androgen receptor and nerve structure density in human prepuce from patients with persistent sexual side effects after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia.

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 24;9(6):e100237. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100237. eCollection 2014.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of androgen receptor and nerve structure density in human prepuce from patients with persistent sexual side effects after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia.
Di Loreto C1, La Marra F1, Mazzon G2, Belgrano E2, Trombetta C2, Cauci S1.

Finasteride is an inhibitor of 5-α-reductase used against male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Reported side effects of finasteride comprise sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and loss of libido. Recently these effects were described as persistent in some subjects. Molecular events inducing persistent adverse sexual symptoms are unexplored. This study was designed as a retrospective case-control study to assess if androgen receptor (AR) and nerve density in foreskin prepuce specimens were associated with persistent sexual side effects including loss of sensitivity in the genital area due to former finasteride use against AGA. Cases were 8 males (aged 29-43 years) reporting sexual side effects including loss of penis sensitivity over 6 months after discontinuation of finasteride who were interviewed and clinically visited. After informed consent they were invited to undergo a small excision of skin from prepuce. Controls were 11 otherwise healthy matched men (aged 23-49 years) who undergone circumcision for phimosis, and who never took finasteride or analogues. Differences in AR expression and nerve density in different portions of dermal prepuce were evaluated in the 2 groups. Density of nuclear AR in stromal and epithelial cells was higher in cases (mean 40.0%, and 80.6% of positive cells, respectively) than controls (mean 23.4%, and 65.0% of positive cells, respectively), P = 0.023 and P = 0.043, respectively. Conversely, percentage of vessel smooth muscle cells positive for AR and density of nerves were similar in the 2 groups. The ratio of AR positive stromal cells % to serum testosterone concentrations was 2-fold higher in cases than in controls (P = 0.001). Our findings revealed that modulation of local AR levels might be implicated in long-term side effects of finasteride use. This provides the first evidence of a molecular objective difference between patients with long-term adverse sexual effects after finasteride use versus drug untreated healthy controls in certain tissues.

Full study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069023/

Pardon my ignorance since I'm terrible with these studies but does this show some of the longer lasting damage from fin?

theseeker86 wrote:Pardon my ignorance since I'm terrible with these studies but does this show some of the longer lasting damage from fin?

This study confirms what was previously suspected: That taking androgen blockers, such as finasteride can create long lasting effects on the response of androgen receptors in the skin long after the medication is stopped.

This explains why there is semi to permanent sexual dysfunction in some users.

Is there anyway to reverse these effects? Or at least speed up the recovery?

Horrible drug, especially knowing out there on hairloss sites young kids who are barely 20 are being convinced to take it because they've been lead to believe it's their only hope and side effects are "rare"

theseeker86 wrote:Is there anyway to reverse these effects? Or at least speed up the recovery?

Horrible drug, especially knowing out there on hairloss sites young kids who are barely 20 are being convinced to take it because they've been lead to believe it's their only hope and side effects are "rare"

Exactly. There are ways to counteract the effects somewhat. The problem is, it's not a perfect formula.

What would be some effective ways to try and help reverse the effects from fin usage?

theseeker86 wrote:What would be some effective ways to try and help reverse the effects from fin usage?

Finasteride reduces the level of Allopregnanolone (ALLO) in the nervous central system. ALLO has a role in the function of a neurotransmitter named GABA. Many men post finasteride use present a number of symptoms very characteristic of low GABA

So one of these helps to reduce anxiety: http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-GABA-500-mg-100-Capsules/605?=hil335

To deal with Libido, focus issues, a combination of Acetyl L-Carnitine with Lipoic acid is a good idea.