The Dark Side of Finasteride: Gynecomastia Unveiled
Finasteride is the popular medication for Male Pattern Baldness. You may have been recommended this by your doctor or your fellow ones.
But some males may be hesitant to use it because of a significant side effect that Finasteride may cause, which is Gynecomastia.
The hormonal imbalance resulting from the administration of FFinasteride can cause this disorder.
The Finasteride Gynecomastia percentage is low. About 4 to 10 out of every 1000 men using Finasteride will develop Gynecomastia.
This article will discuss Gynecomastia as a result of consuming Finasteride in detail.
How Finasteride Causes Gynecomastia
To learn how Finasteride can cause Gynecomastia, we must first understand how the medication works.
Finasteride helps in preventing the body from producing Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a naturally occurring Testosterone derivative that aids in male sexual development.
But DHT also has another role that is not much desirable, which is hair loss.
DHT can bind to the receptors in the scalp and lead to the gradual miniaturization of hair follicles.
This process makes the follicles incapable of producing healthy hair.
Finasteride plays a crucial role here as it lowers the DHT levels by 75-80% in the body by stopping Testosterone from turning into its active metabolic Dihydrotestosterone. This process helps in hair growth.
But this inhibition also increases the conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol, a predominant steroid form of Estrogen, mainly considered a female sex hormone.
An increase in the levels of Estrogen may result in Gynecomastia, as this hormone is responsible for breast enlargement in females and can do the same in men.
This happens when men produce more steroidal Estrogen than Testosterone, which is opposite to normal functioning.
Androgens are male sex hormones that play a pivotal role in their male characteristics.
When there is an increase in the levels of Estrogen, the ratio between it and Androgen is affected, resulting in lower levels of the latter.
The Androgen deficiency may cause Gynecomastia in males, and you may see it as a symptom.
A case study found that a male patient aged 63 had severe Gynecomastia due to the intake of anti-Androgens, which reduces the levels or activity of Androgen hormones within the human body.
Symptoms
It is not difficult to notice Gynecomastia.
You can see the symptoms within three to six months of its administration; it is the time when Finasteride starts showing results.
If you are using Finasteride and see the following symptoms, it may be Gynecomastia.
- The primary symptom is the enlargement of breasts in males. It can appear in one or both breasts, uniform or uneven, with respect to the nipple
- When touched, the breast or nipple may hurt or be sore
- The growth could become visible just behind the nipple
Finasteride Gynecomastia treatment
The initial treatment of Finasteride-induced Gynecomastia is stopping the intake of this medication.
However, research proves that breast enlargement may continue after several months of discontinuing the medicine.
As Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication for Male Pattern Baldness, its discontinuation may relieve the symptoms of Gynecomastia, but you may still lose hair.
In order to stop hair loss, if you decide to stop taking Finasteride, consider applying a topical treatment like Minoxidil which is also approved for treating males with pattern baldness.
If you don’t want to quit taking Finasteride or if the problem still exists after stopping, you can try alternative medical treatments.
Medicines that lessen the symptoms of Gynecomastia include:
- Aromatase inhibitors: Letrozole and Anastrozole
- Androgens: Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, Danazol
- Anti-Estrogens: Clomiphene citrate, Tamoxifen
Takeaway
Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication for treating Male Pattern Baldness.
But in some rare cases, it has been seen that people who use this medication face a severe side effect known as Gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breasts.
The common reason for it can be Finasteride-induced DHT inhibition. It results in less Androgen to the ratio more Estrogen.
You may notice male breast enlargement, uniform or uneven in one or both breasts and when touched, the breast or nipple may hurt or be sore.
The first step towards treatment is stopping the intake of Finasteride.
But the hair loss may continue, so your doctor may recommend topical Minoxidil or drugs that lessen the enlarged breasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Finasteride Gynecomastia go away?
Finasteride-induced Gynecomastia may go away if you discontinue the intake of this medication in the initial stage of male breast development. However, if you delay or don’t consult your doctor for this symptom, it may require medical treatment, including surgery.
How common is Gynecomastia from Finasteride?
Gynecomastia from Finasteride is not much common. While 50-60% of men develop Gynecomastia due to intake of Finasteride, only about 4 to 10 out of every 1000 men have enlarged breasts due to this medication.
Can 1 mg Finasteride cause Gynecomastia?
It is claimed that a person who intakes 5 mg of Finasteride has a higher risk of Gynecomastia. However, 1 mg Finasteride administration may also result in enlargement of the breasts. These cases are neither much common nor severe.
Should I stop Finasteride if I get Gynecomastia?
If you start noticing that your breast size has increased while taking Finasteride, it is recommended to discontinue this medication. Gynecomastia can be completely reversible if you stop Finasteride intake in the initial stages of this disorder.
