Soft erection caused by Finasteride

His use of Finasteride has led to an inability to achieve an erection, and his balding problem is worsening.

Case #: 45123

Concern：

My recent financial situation has worse significantly that triggered my balding problem. So I started taking Finasteride as a treatment. However, after 2 months, I cannot retain an erection and still losing hair. I know this drug might have done some serious damage to my DHT receptors down there. How can I reverse this sad outcome?

Discussion：

You are absolutely right; Finasteride does damage your DHT receptors. For that reason, I would recommend you cease taking this drug and look for a more natural alternative. The most destructive effect of Finasteride is on destroying production of the enzyme liver 5-alpha reductase. Once this enzyme is destroyed, testosterone-DHT conversion is minimized. DHT is responsible for penile health and growth in conjunction with HGH, DHEA and testosterone when cortisol and prolactin levels are in normal range. If your liver produces sufficient 5-alpha reductase, you produce a high level of DHT to ensure a healthy penis, muscles, bones and brain function. Without it, penile tissues become very rigid and inflexible.

In an animal experimental model, castrated young rats with testosterone injection elevated their DHT levels back to about 80-90% of the un-castrated group. What this means is, as long as the castrated young rats' liver can still release enough 5-alpha reductase, sufficient testosterone-DHT conversion will occur in the tissues to support penile function. This illustrates the importance of 5-alpha reductase.

During puberty, around ages 16-18, the density of the DHT receptors in the penis reaches its maximum for penile and body growth. Once passing this growth season, HGH levels drop and cortisol levels increase. DHT, testosterone and DHEA levels start to drop at about age 25 for normal, healthy men, but the penis does not have any significant growth or change during ages 18-25. Boys during puberty do not experience hair loss due to heightened DHT levels. People start to lose hair when their stressors cortisol and epinephrine level go up while their testosterone, DHT, DHEA and/or HGH levels go down and their scalp blood circulation becomes poor.

Stressful activities, such as poor diet and over-masturbation, trigger excessive testosterone-DHT conversion in the prostate and testicles, leading to a stressful fight-or-flight state in the body. In this stressful state, the body produces high levels of cortisol, which induces high levels of prolactin and reduces DHEA, HGH and testosterone production. At the same time, excessive prolactin and epinephrine induces constriction of the arteries, leading to poor blood circulation everywhere in your body, particularly in the scalp and prostate. All of this contributes to hair loss.

A 2001 study examined the effect of a 3-week period of sexual abstinence followed by masturbation-induced orgasm. It found that abstinence over such periods "does not change the neuroendocrine response to orgasm but does produce elevated levels of testosterone in males." A 2003 study showed that serum testosterone levels reach a peak seven days after abstaining from ejaculation. In short, the findings mean that excessive sex results in adrenal and testicular fatigue, leading to low testosterone level and hair loss.

In addition, exposure to stress and steroid-related toxins are likely to increase the activity of 5-alpha reductase for greater testosterone-DHT conversion. Excessive amounts of the amino acid L-arginine in conjunction with a high level of androgen hormone can over-excite the nervous system for excessive testosterone-DHT conversion, triggering a stress response.

To rejuvenate your nervous function for libido and reduce the epinephrine release from the hypothalamus, brain stem and adrenal medulla, supplement with herbs to help you. In addition, GABA can reduce oxytocin synthesis, limiting the stress response. Nitric oxide and cGMP reduce constriction in the arteries, improving blood circulation to the scalp and prostate.