How effective has Dutasteride been?

Did you notice any improvement at all in that time?

Fernasteride hasn't affected my libido (desire to have sex) but I'm pretty sure it has hurt my ability to get an erection. The cialis helps with that. If i recall correctly Calis was supposed to go generic this year. Maybe we'll see a drop in price

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No, I saw no improvement in the short time I took it. Also, I see here that some men are taking fenestride, be aware of that drug and similar ones. They raise the risk of high grade prostate cancer and some of the side effects are irreversible. Most, if not all the BPH medications have sexual side effects. 

Hi carl91171, and thanks for posting.  The idea that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Dutasteride / Finasteride) cause high grade prostate cancer is pretty much of a myth, and here's why; Finasteride and Dutasteride do shrink the prostate, but you may have to wait a while for prostate volume to come down.  If we think of the prostate as a container intermittently filled with PCa cells, then we would have a greater likelihood of "hitting" those cells during a 12-core needle biopsy, if the container were smaller.  Thus, during a biopsy, those needles are entering a gland that is smaller in volume, making it more likely to find those PCa cells.  In other words, it's not a cause / effect relationship between the drug and the disease, but one of historical under reporting.  Dutasteride supposedly has a slight edge over Finasteride, because the former down regulates three isoenzymes that are linked to PCa, as opposed to the latter, which only down regulates two isoenzymes.  I take Dutasteride, though I'd be just as content with Finasteride.

I'm going to go against the conventional wisdom of these comments and say that, for me, it "works."  Was diagnosed (by DRE) in 2008 with a prostate of 40 g.  Nine years later, my uro's estimate is that it is now 45 g.  I'll TAKE those numbers.  Cons:  decreased ejaculate.  somewhat of a decreased libido - though I'm ot sure.  It could be age related.  Nocturia has exacerbated over those nine years. Pros:  throughout the day, I'm able to go for relatively long periods without voiding (four hours?).  No AUR ... so far. The drug is a compromise.  I do believe that, without it, I could be in trouble.  Final note:  I also take daily Cialis (5 mg) as an adjunct therapy and I do believe this has helped me as much - if not more - as taking Dutasteride.  Finally, to your point, some of the side effects are irreversible, but this condition has affected a minuscule number of men in clinical trials, and even fewer patients who have taken it after it was released.  And I say this respectfully, it doesn't take six months.  It's more like 6-8 weeks, so you may want to rethink a 30-day course.  As for it "killing your libido," I understand.  Mine plummeted during the first months.  Approximately three months later, it came back.  Hope this helps.

 

I agree with Alan. It is a myth. Finasteride is currently undergoing trials for  low grade prostate cancer prevention. Hank

Alan I with you. Fernasteride combined with cialis has been a God send. I have also read studies stating that the link to cancer is not true. I wouldn't take it if it was liked to cancer. Of course processed meat is liked to colon cancer and I haven't given up on eating submarine sandwiches either 

I appreciate the information. My urologist gave me the info on cancer. In regards to the length of time before it works, perhaps I should have considered taking it for a longer time. I hate taking any of these prostate medications because almost all have some sexual side effects. I just had a urolift done a week ago for BPH. After the recovery process I'll be posting my results here. Thanks for the info.

Did you not have any problems with urgency? Did it help with that?

 I tried Cialis and it made my legs have very severe cramps, so I cant use it.

Yup used to pee my pants every 2 weeks or so. I also do kegel exercises. You should try doing them. Not only fid it help with urgencey and incontinence but orgasms are much more intense now. Also I do not have retro which I think some get when on fernasteride

20ml/sec ? Are you sure ? It's fantastic  flow. You don't have any problems then. Hank

Positive, 20 ml/sec. I have a graduated beaker I pee in once in a while. I just count ( 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand etc ) so its very crude. I count from the time flow starts to the end of dribble. Sometimes I don't count the last few drops ( hope thats not cheating   I generally fill the beaker to the 300 ml mark in 15 seconds. At 300 ml I have some urgency. 400 ml I GOTTA GO. I've been doing kegel  exercises and I think they help with urgency. They definitely have made with orgasms much more intense. At night its a different story. Many nights I on the edge of AUR. I assume its what I eat or drink during the day. Probably decaf coffee is causing problems. the 20ml/sec is variable but I have little trouble peeing during the day. I'm very blessed its given extra time to weigh all my options regarding surgery. If I had to do it now I would go with FLA. but thats just a personal choice.

20ml/sec is near the top, even for normal men I think. Glad for you. Maybe it's the finasteride ? I wish. Just started it 4 months ago. Haven't measured mine yet due to pauses in the middle. But I'd be glad if it's even 10ml/sec. Hank

Yes I'm very lucky with respect to flow. My original BPH symptoms were low flow never guessed it but guesstimate 10ml/sec which isn't too bad. Unfortunately I had severe bleeding, REAL BAD bleeding. Had it not been for that I would have been able to wait a few years before taking any meds. I'm convinced ( no proof though) that the fernasteride shrunk my prostate and probably killed off the blood vessel that caused the bleeding. 

However, whatever, you are as good as new, lucky you. ☺Hank