PFS Patient Story #7: Sami
I was quite young when I began to experience hair loss. At the age of 19, I started noticing my receding hairline. I discussed this issue with my mother, who suggested trying some supplements, but they didn’t provide satisfactory results. In 2014, when I was 20, I visited a dermatologist who specialized in hair loss at a public clinic. I had high hopes of finding a solution to my “problem.” After examining my hair, she diagnosed me with androgenetic alopecia and presented two treatment options: minoxidil and finasteride.
She explained that minoxidil should be applied topically twice a day, while finasteride was an oral medication. She mentioned potential side effects of the pill, such as reduced libido, but assured me that these side effects would only last for a maximum of two weeks after discontinuing the treatment. She asked me to choose which treatment I preferred, and I opted for the convenience of the pill.
Unfortunately, things didn’t unfold as she had predicted. Several months after starting the medication, I began to experience side effects. However, people around me dismissed the idea that the treatment was responsible, so I continued using finasteride for months before finally deciding to stop.
Regrettably, I still suffer from the same side effects to this day. My libido is significantly reduced, and I struggle to engage in sexual intercourse. Additionally, I have been dealing with anxiety and depression. These side effects have had a profound impact on my social life, leaving me feeling incredibly lonely. How could I carry on with my life when even talking to a stranger triggered anxiety? Suddenly, all my hopes and dreams seemed to vanish. How could anyone love me if my sexuality had disappeared?
I have faced challenging times, and at moments, I truly believed that my life was over and that I should end it all. The medical system offered no support during this dark journey. I visited numerous urologists and endocrinologists, but none of them were familiar with Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) or believed my story and symptoms. Some doctors dismissed me as a suicidal young man who was simply imagining things. One doctor even questioned the importance of achieving an erection since I am gay. I left that appointment with tears in my eyes, feeling utterly helpless and abandoned by a medical system that provided me with the pill that destroyed my life.
Today, I am seeking help from a psychologist to cope with my suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety. It is often a struggle to carry on. It feels like I am an observer watching a show while unable to participate, as I cannot live a normal life and share the same experiences that give meaning to life. So, I spend time with my friends, study, and try to find interests in various things. However, I still feel as if I am stuck behind a cold window that separates me from others, unable to fully engage. I am sharing my story because it is my duty to prevent others from suffering the same fate. We all seek peace, including myself. But peace cannot be found without justice. The medical system must take responsibility for supporting Post-Finasteride Syndrome victims and removing this hair-loss drug from the market.
I truly want to believe that our condition can be cured, and I hope that this message raises awareness about the dangers of this medication. If I can convince even one person, then my words will not have been written in vain.
