PFS Patient Story #8: Roman

My name is Roman, and I am 31 years old. I was born in Latvia.

When I turned 25, I began taking finasteride 1.25 mg daily to combat hair loss. My dermatologist prescribed this medication as a remedy for my hair loss. I continued taking it for approximately four months.

Since then, I have experienced a range of symptoms, most of which have persisted for the past six years. The impact of finasteride on my life has been devastating.

**Neurological:**

1. Impaired memory and forgetfulness.
2. Brain fog (lack of mental clarity, memory problems, poor concentration, inability to focus).
3. Slowed thought processes.
4. Impaired problem-solving and decreased comprehension.

**Sexual disorders:**

1. Reduced libido by 70 to 80%.
2. Erectile dysfunction.
3. Loss of morning, nocturnal, and spontaneous erections.
4. Absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity.
5. Structural atrophy of the penis (reduction in size of length and girth).
6. Decreased sensitivity in the penis.
7. Orgasms no longer provide pleasure.
8. Increased effort required to achieve an erection.
9. Significantly prolonged refractory period.
10. Decreased ejaculate volume and force.
11. Changes in ejaculate consistency.
12. Penile shrinkage and numbness.

**Body changes:**

1. Development of female-type obesity (changes in fat distribution, more typically “feminine” — in the legs, hips, buttocks, and belly; increase in size and amount of fat).
2. Changes in breast size and appearance.
3. Worsening skin quality (dry skin).
4. Weight changes.
5. Elevated liver parameters for unknown reasons.
6. Elevated blood sugar levels.

**Other problems:**

1. Anhedonia: Loss of interests, excitement, and pleasurable or rewarding feelings.
2. Consistently low mood, sadness, and pessimism (melancholy).
3. Motivation problems and decreased drive.
4. Loss of aggression and increased passivity.
5. Tereodit Hashimoto.
6. Increased anxiety.

It may be possible to ignore the impact on sexual function and attempt to live with it. However, the changes in the brain affecting mood, depressive episodes, anxiety, and motivation pose real problems.

But even that is not the worst part.

The most significant issue is that I struggle with concentration and memory when attempting to learn something complex. Since taking the medication in 2015, my ability to understand and analyze things has worsened.

I have sought medical help, but doctors are unsure how to assist me. Furthermore, many of them are unaware of the condition, despite there being 45 scientific papers on the subject already.

I urge you to consider my words. I am a member of a Post-finasteride syndrome forum, where thousands of men worldwide suffer from similar symptoms. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available.

I have provided a comprehensive list of my experiences, hoping to convey my point effectively.

Our situation is peculiar because only a specific subgroup of men experience severe and persistent side effects after taking finasteride. This is our main challenge and dilemma.

Finasteride can be beneficial for some individuals but disastrous for others. We are still unaware of why some people fall ill while others do not.

Thank you for your attention.

Roman