Men devastated by Finasteride’s persistent side effects say it could happen to anyone

Learn more: pfsnetwork.org
The first patients to speak out publicly through our KZbin channel discuss their experiences taking finasteride, a popular hair loss drug, and the persistent side effects he suffers after discontinuation. They discuss the importance and impact of speaking out, as well as the significant challenges with clinical awareness and support.
Post-Finasteride Syndrome is the current term for a rare syndrome of devastating physical, neurological, and sexual side effects that persist and progress after stopping finasteride. The condition occurs primarily in younger men who have taken the drug to treat hair loss. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease.
PFS has a disastrous impact on patients, their families and their friends. It often causes disability, isolation and suicide. Every person is valuable, and everyone deserves to make a fully informed choice with their health.
More research into Post-Finasteride Syndrome is desperately needed. Learn more about and support important new scientific research here: pfsnetwork.org...
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[@MT-nu3vl]

Thanks for being pioneers in the movement towards bringing to light the human cost of this truly horrific condition. You are all heroes!!!

[@AC-ns4gu]

These videos mean a lot to us pfs sufferers. Thank you so much guys for bringing awareness to PFS!

[@pointblack808]

Thank you for speaking up. I have no hope the issue will ever be resolved. I'm sorry for being so negative, but after 13 years of this hell, it's hard to keep a positive attitude. I've tried everything. My docs don't believe me, my familiy doesnt believe, my friends don't believe me. It's so hard to live like this.

[@brendantaylor3570]

It’s so ridiculous to have to justify health issues to people who should care about you. I’ve had it 10 years and I understand very much where you’re coming from. Most doctors won’t understand or know anything about this condition and 5 Alpha Reductase inhibitors.

[@pointblack808]

Yeah.. Few things can leave you with your dignity and confidence violated like the instant dismissal of everything you had to live through, and by people who are supposed to be the first to listen.

[@AC-ns4gu]

I know exactly how you feel I’ve only had the condition for a few years and I can only imagine how it must be to suffer for 13 years. Please try and keep some hope though. The PFS Network is doing great work for us. They recently funded a study going into the epigenetics of PFS. They have world class scientists with experience in androgen insensitivity. Look into these studies/the PFS Network if you can and maybe it will give you some hope. I know for me it’s really the only reason I’m still kicking.

[@brendantaylor3570]

AC Well said and you’re right. Have to stay constructive and realizing there will be more information to come. And to just keep going.

[@vaastafraja5685]

@@pointblack808What are your symptoms?

[@darkprinceofdorne]

I would cry if I could. All of you guys are so strong and kind. None of us deserve this hell. It takes incredible strength to record a video explaining what happened to you, let alone hosting it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for this. I’m not pfs sufferer, but pssd sufferer. It’s so much harder to get recognition in psychiatric field. Because pills are supposed to "treat your head". I was given it for fatigue because of "depression". Now my life is just isn’t possible, completely ruined. Dreams, career, education - all flushed down the toilet. Only seeing videos like yours give me hope to one day gain the awareness PFS, PSSD, and PAS needs. PSSD community is scattered across forums and subreddits, and now we made a PSSD Network KZbin channel, hoping to replicate what you guys are doing here. So many people suffer in silence and just commit suicide. Thank you Mitch for your efforts and support. You’re doing god’s work here.

[@akashjoseph6649]

Amazing work gentlemen!

[@brendantaylor3570]

Thank you all for sharing and posting this. Very much appreciated as I’m 10 years into this condition.

[@austinthomas2732]

10 years?!!!

[@brendantaylor3570]

Austin Thomas Yes, was on finasteride from 2007-11. Symptoms worsened over time, but the crash happened in 2011 when stopping the medication. I can’t emphasize enough if anyone is able to exercise and lift weights with compound movements. And to get sun exposure as often as possible throughout a day. Some people I’ve found do better with this condition in warmer, sunnier climates.

[@lowelovibes8035]

i almost started with finasteride for just a little bit of hair loss, after learning about PFS and hearing these horror stories i have a clearer picture of what i can win and what i can lose, i'm not going to risk it, thanks you for all people and i'm sorry for what you are going through

[@jirihutecka9020]

What is interesting that you can end up with exactly the same symptoms from many things not just finasteride. People report PFS syndrome like symptoms even from taking saw palmetto for example and mild supplements like that.. So it is a good idea to NEVER take anything that is advertised as health supplements for hair loss or even prostate health. Because all of them will somehow mess with DHT receptors and without DHT you are no longer healthy male... If anything I would do the exact opposite. If you have hairloss who cares. Just shave your head and do the things that INCREASE DHT so you can be maximized alpha male that can live life to the fullest.. I fucked myself by taking accutane, steroids, anti estrogens and all kinds of supplements etc.. It is very hard for the body to balanc itself once you alter your hormones artificially... If I could go back I would never take anything apart from vitamins and minerals...

[@samgonzalez9280]

You guys are doing the world a huge favor

[@damonkize]

Thank you guys for being brave and sharing your story. I hope we can all continue to spread awareness and have viable treatment one day. And lol at 37:45; sorry for that, it was a fair point though!

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

Incredibly courageous and inspiring !

[@jeysmith7445]

amazing initiative, we are too many stuck on this

[@CiproIsPoison]

I too was maimed by an FDA-approved drug. It's amazing how similar all of our experiences are with friends/family/doctors once we've fallen victim to the invisible quicksand. Same shit, different toilet paper! Thanks for the warning, guys.

[@drewd2939]

the most disturbing part is seeing how little compassion doctors actually have for the vulnerable

[@antoneckhart4010]

i think almost all doctors know that fin causes PFS and all about hormone crashing drugs, BUT I believe they are trained to protect drugs not people. that sounds horrible to think about it. the whole Western world is under a certain cabal@@drewd2939

[@paulshin4296]

Thank you all for posting this video. I am someone who is thinking of taking finasteride, but the videos on this channel are giving me cause to pause. I took 1 pill of finasteride nearly a decade ago and the next days felt strong physical and mental side effects. From the research I had done recently, I thought I had made a mistake by not taking finasteride for the last decade and thereby lost much of my hair. Do we know if anyone who has taken topical finasteride has suffered from PFS?

[@giovannitolenaars1879]

Not all hero's wear capes

[@jirihutecka9020]

This is much worse than cancer for example.. At least when you have cancer everyone knows that is serious health problem and they understand that you have difficult time etc.. But with things like PFS or post accutane syndrome or chronic fatigue/adrenal fatigue or any hormonal crash like that people have no idea what it is. How serious it is. So they just think you are lazy hypochondriac. When in fact you are fighting so hard with all your will power to just function somehow and to keep a job for example.. The best analogy I can give to people who don't understand what it feels would be like you are constantly swim against the current in normal every day life, but normal healthy people are on the boat and just cruise with the current effortlessly.

[@albertogarcia5784]

The Avengers of PFS

[@chandanas6257]

Said effects recovery treatment please help me

[@puffybuns2311]

I would like to record a video with my story. I am from india.

[@PFSNetwork]

Hello, please reach out to us via our website.

[@rockysikander.8177]

@puffybuns2311 मैं भी भारत से हूँ , आपको क्या क्या समस्याए आई ? मैंने भी ये लिया है, पर डिप्रेशन होने लगा है . क्या करू ? थोड़ी मदद कर सकते हो आप ?

[@jamie0008]

What a poison, stuck with that too

[@youokaybuddyfitness]

This is really sad. I don't understand why aren't you guys on heavy steroid cycles and hitting the gym?

[@AC-ns4gu]

It’s not that simple. Our bodies don’t respond to hormonal treatments or steroids. The problem is far deeper. A lot of PFS sufferers have normal blood tests and some were even on TRT when they got hit by this disease. Very devastating and complex condition.

[@brendantaylor3570]

Would you mind giving insight into how a steroid cycle would help this condition? Would appreciate it.

[@DUBLL100]

If your bloods are fine this must be in the head ! I also have convinced my self stuff due to my pure OCD… I really think you guys might be suffering from it as wel and it sounds just like it

[@user-nu7wb8sw9w]

Have any of you looked into tdcs/tacs for mood/cognitive issues and have you looked into penis pumps for erectile dysfunction?