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Finasteride and Hematospermia - to stop or not to stop taking finasteride

Posted , 11 users are following.

andrew61251
andrew61251

In 2015, I had a very enlarged prostate and a high PSA. Through medications, things returned to almost normal. I'm 53 and in decent health with no other health issues or medications. I should also note that I live in Cambodia and have limited access to high-quality care other than going to Bangkok.

Last  September, I started having hematospermia (blood in semen; very bloody). The Cambodian urologist prescribed a few medications, but nothing seemed to work. I eventually read an article about Proscar and that it can be effective for treating hematospermia.

I started Pronor 5 mg (generic finasteride) in late December. After 2 months, the hematospermia cleared up. My semen has been "clean" since early March. I am still taking Pronor.

The side effects have been a very low libido, difficulty in getting an erection, very small ejaculation and, I think, an increased sense of apathy and lack of enthusiasm to do anything.

I emailed my other urologist in Bangkok (more skilled than Cambodia) and he said that I could stop taking the Pronor, though I haven't been back to him for an exam.

My worries with stopping the Pronor is that the enlarged prostate will come back and I may, again, have increased problems with needing to urinate frequently and during the night and the blood in the semen, like before. 

And, will the side effects I'm having now, go away? 

I suppose that there is no way of knowing other than stopping to see what happens. Presumably, everyone reacts differently to having side effects and stopping medications

I'd appreciate any thoughts and best options by others.

Thanks

Andrew

0 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • mike588
    mike588 andrew61251

    Posted

    I don't know about hematospermia but it doesn't sound logical that the enlarged prostate is the only reason - finasteride can have long term affects, I think you should stop and see what happens - prostate will probably get bigger again and it might take time for libido to come back but maybe hematospermia was due to another reason - maybe someone else here knows more. Good luck!

  • Vibes
    Vibes andrew61251

    Posted

    I have also been considering cutting back on finasteride.  Hope you get a lot of replies.  Anyone who has complete success is probably not monitoring these forums though.
  • Waffalobill
    Waffalobill andrew61251

    Posted

    You probably know it takes a while for finasteride to work. Stopping it is the same. After stopping it, it takes 6 months to a year to clear it from your system. I asked if it was ok to just stop it. Was told yes. No taper needed as it stays in your system a while.
    • Vibes
      Vibes Waffalobill

      Posted

      For myself,  My plan is to cut back to 1ea. 5mg finasteride tablet every three days.  If I detect some hesitation or blockage, will increase to two tablets every 3 days and, if needed, can renew flowmax med until finasteride again takes control.  Has anyone tried such a plan?

           

    • Waffalobill
      Waffalobill Vibes

      Posted

      I just stopped both. They didn't help anyways. Had surgery. Figured why take them if they don't work. Dealing with cost and side effects for no benefits. Seen posts from others that they helped alot. My brother has been taking them for years( finasteride and flomax) and they work for him.

    • Vibes
      Vibes

      Posted

      I altered my schedule to be one finasteride tablet taken two-days-on; one-day-off cycle, (total of  two tablets taken for every three day period).  Theory is that it shouldn't require as much overall to maintain as it did to shrink the prostate.   Will report result in maybe 6 months or, if I make another adjustment, sooner.  

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Vibes

      Posted

      Hi Vibes,

      How long have you been taking finasteride ? Has it helped you much ? Also, do you experience any side effects that andrew does ? I am considering taking it to see if i can improve on my hesitancy. Hank

    • uncklefester
      uncklefester hank1953

      Posted

      I've been of fernasteride for about 1 year. I think it has helped. I was also taking tamsulosin for most of that time. I peed pretty good when on those drugs except for peeing at night. When I got up to go it would just dribble out. Also sex  was imposible. I recently switched to daily cialis which seems to have bettere flow at night. Helps wiuth erections but fenasteride still makes problems. I think I may tweek the time I take cialis maybe it will give better erections at a time when I'm most likely going to have sex

    • Vibes
      Vibes hank1953

      Posted

      Been on finasteride for about 18 months.  It took about a year for it to have enough effect to get off Flomax. No problems at all peeing now. Yes, I have side effects but not as bad as flomax.  That's why I'm trying to sclale back on dosage.  

    • mike588
      mike588 Vibes

      Posted

      My nephew, in early 20s was prescribed finasteride low dosage to help with balding, he became impotent after using it for a while, not sure how long he took it - he's OK now after stopping - finasteride is nasty I don't recommend you take it for too long - for some it's quite effective but long term you'll need to take it forever and end up impotent. Urologists don't seem to care if the drugs will make you impotent, retro etc - they consider that a minor side effect when the goal is to enable a man to pee better. They know eventually the drugs might not be effective anyway and you'll need surgery. I put off surgery for too long, the bladder gets out of shape - thankfully post surgery 3 months the bladder seems to be coming back a bit. Unfortunately I am still taking Flomax I think because I waited so long. It works really well in conjunction with the surgery and I don't have retro from it, though amount of ejaculate is reduced.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Vibes

      Posted

      Thanks Vibes,

      What side effects are you having with finasteride ? Also, is it the only drug you are taking right now ? I'd like to give it a try. I am currently taking doxazosin. To me, drugs are safer than surgeries. You can always stop drugs. You can not reverse surgeries if something went wrong. Hank

    • Vibes
      Vibes hank1953

      Posted

      Hank, I'm 74 and not sure if some side effects are left over from Flomax or just normal aging or left over from infection from endoscopy that triggered my symptoms in first place.  Probably some of each.  Having sensative nipples and enlarged breast,  Vision taken turn for the worse.  Lack of initiative/desire to take on tasks, general weakness.  Weight gain.  Runny nose.  Loose bowles.  Even though retro ejaculation has gone away since quiting flomax,  seaman is still discolored. I also take one lisinopril every 3 days.  But at least I can pee. 

    • uncklefester
      uncklefester hank1953

      Posted

      Some drugs leave lasting/permanent side effects. Flowmax gives you floppy iris syndrome. 
    • Vibes
      Vibes uncklefester

      Posted

      Yeah, will complicate cataract surgery.  Wasn't advised of that when Flowmax prescribed.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 uncklefester

      Posted

      Only flomax does that or all alpha blockers give iris syndrome ? Hank

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Vibes

      Posted

      Hi Vibes,

      My vote is for peeing over sex every time. However, everyone is different. Some people vote with their penises. smile Hank

    • Waffalobill
      Waffalobill Vibes

      Posted

      If you need surgery on your eyes, must tell doc. Guess the iris won't hold still for them.

    • Vibes
      Vibes

      Posted

      Although I only cut my finasteride dosage by 33%, I had about same result as andrew61251 - hesitation, only a few dribbles, and unable to drain by bladder returned within a week.   I thought I wouldn't see a change, if it came, until after a few months. Back to one-a-day has gotten me back on track for now.  I may try again maybe cutting by only 25%.   Will post results if/when I do.  

    • Vibes
      Vibes

      Posted

      "my bladder"

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Vibes

      Posted

      What time of the day do you take finasteride ? Hank
    • Vibes
      Vibes hank1953

      Posted

      I take it early afternoon.  Instructions say it doesn't matter but suggests around same meal time every day to help remember. 

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Vibes

      Posted

      Thanks. I'll probably take it with BF. Hank

    • hank1953
      hank1953

      Posted

      I looked it up. Only flowmax (tamsulosin) gives floppy iris. Hank
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