Could Eating disorders induce secondary effects on finasteride?

General
1

Hi

I’m 25M and I’ve been on Finasteride 1mg for about 3 years, combined with topical Minoxidil. I’ve had no noticeable side effects and no regrowth, but my hair loss (around NW2) has been pretty stable — so overall I was happy with the results.

However, about 5 months ago, I went through a period of severe dietary restriction (low calories and basically no fat) which startled a loss of libido and anhedonia. The symptoms have persisted since then.

I’m wondering if that episode may have disrupted my hormonal balance, possibly making me more sensitive to Finasteride’s side effects, even though I tolerated it well for years.

So my questions are: 1. Has anyone experienced something similar — a change in Finasteride tolerance after a major dietary or hormonal disruption? 2. Would a temporary break from Finasteride or a dose reduction (e.g., 0.5mg) help the body/hormones stabilize, with the option to restart later?

I’d also be really interested if anyone has dealt with interactions between eating disorders / severe calorie restriction and Finasteride side effects.

Thanks a lot for any input — I’m trying to understand if this could be reversible or if I should stay off Finasteride for a while.

2

It’s possible that severe dietary changes could make you more sensitive to fin’s side effects due to hormonal shifts. Consider maintaining a balanced diet and see how it affects your symptoms. You could try reducing your dose to 0.5 mg and monitor if that helps. Check out The Beginner’s Guide for more info on fin. If your symptoms persist, it might be worthwhile to take a break and assess any improvements.