Could Pregnenolone Help with Finasteride Mood Changes?
Hi Dr. Rassman,
So I have been using finasteride for 3 months now. Had two questions
1) Firstly I have had no side effects, compared to the horror stories on the net. So far so good. However I have noticed a slight alteration in mood maybe. Its not like I feel depressed or anything, but definitely a little more tired and groggy, and slight changes in sleep patterns. I am quite sure it is a side effect of finasteride since I am not going through any great stressful time or anything. I know people are quick to blame this drug for everything. Not my agenda here. But definitely have noticed something. Nothing too alarming though.
I have read many forums and quite some people have suggested to take a very small dose of PREGNENOLONE alongside finasteride. I was wondering if you know anything about this combination or if it could help with mood disturbances. I know you will ask me to consult my prescribing doctor which I will do so, but was wondering what your thoughts are on this combination.
2) Also I take 5MG cut into quarters (generic). Your website mentions not to do so, yet many patients have been advised to do so, am I missing something here. I have no problem cutting the pill either (use a pill cutter) .. but the quarter is very small…I usually do get equal parts..but am wondering if I am indeed obtaining between 1-1.25 daily?? Some say the compound is not equally distributed, some say it is homogenized?? so just confused regarding this matter as well, and would appreciate your thoughts
thanks.
Pregnenolone is a steroid and not recommended for balding men. Moreover, steroids can also drastically alter mood as a side effect. I don’t know about the combo specifically, but I wouldn’t recommend it particularly because pregnenolone could lead to more hair loss. If you are having side effects from finasteride, then you should go back to the doctor who prescribed it to you.
Cutting 5mg finasteride into quarters should be as effective as 1mg taken daily. People cut it into quarters for practicality since cutting it in five equal pieces would be difficult. The generic should be homogenized (see here).
Where does this site say to not cut the pill? There’s a lot of info on this site, but I don’t remember ever suggesting that a cut 5mg pill is something that should be avoided. For years now I’ve been recommending splitting the 5mg generic pill for those patients that wish to save some money. You just need to find a doctor that will prescribe the 5mg pill (prostate medication) with instructions to cut it.
Hi dr Rassman,
in regards to cutting the 5MG, I read on the NHI website not to do so…maybe you posted that a long time ago
As for pregnenolone, I heard it actually helps with mood disturbances and has been shown in medical literature to help with people suffering from depression..which is why I was asking if it could help with finasteride mood changes…i was thinking of taking a small dose once or twice a week…but will do more research since you are advising against it…do let me know what you think .. ill ask my prescribing doctor as well
thanks
Pregnenolone is often suggested on a lot of forums as it’s a neurological stimulant and can make you feel more ‘alert’ and focused. A lot of bodybuilders use it for this purpose when their hormone levels are screwed up from steroid use.
Despite what a lot of people suggest though, Pregenenolone can and does result in elevated androgens through various prohormone pathways and so could result in increased DHT related hairloss. Essentially the drop in DHT which is minimizing your hair loss is also responsible for a slight brain fog. Generally this clears up after a few months as your body adjusts.
I have found this and very similar information on almost all websites. There are side effects in some people such as over stimulation, but is generally considered safe …i dont know..obviously not a doctor lol..but am confused now
“Pregnenolone, like DHEA, is a steroidal hormone manufactured in the body. Pregnenolone is a precursor hormone synthesized from cholesterol, principally in the adrenal glands, but also in the liver, skin, brain, testicles, ovaries, and retina of the eyes.
Steroids are a large family of structurally similar biochemicals that have sex-determining, anti-inflammatory, and growth-regulatory roles. Indeed, pregnenolone is the grand precursor from which almost all of the other steroid hormones are made; including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, the estrogens, and cortisol. Despite its powerful metabolites, pregnenolone is acknowledged to be without significant side effects, with minimal or no anabolic, estrogenic or androgenic activity.
Pregnenolone has been found to be 100 times more effective for memory enhancement than other steroids or steroid-precursors in laboratory mice. Pregnenolone appears to be the most potent memory enhancer yet reported in animals. Pregnenolone has been reported to not only make people smarter but happier and enhance ones ability to perform on the job while heightening feelings of well-being. Pregnenolone has also been reported to reduce high stress induced fatigue.”
Yes – essentially pregnenolone is a prohormone – in that it converts into a lot of other active hormones. Yes it is principally used as a neurological stimulant – it can help with focus and mood. What we’re saying though is that – although far less potent than say injecting testosterone or some other directly DHT derived steroid, pregnenolone can and will convert to male androgens to some extent. Anything to converts to DHEA or other Andro-substrates as it does can increase your eventual DHT levels which is what finasteride is attempting to reduce as it’s implicated in minituarizing your hair follicles if you have androgenetic balding.
Basically finasteride is trying to block a large percentage of the body’s conversion of testosterone to DHT. if you use a prohormone that can increase DHT through other pathways you may well feel better but you will be fighting against the whole purpose of the finasteride.
Pregnenolone is generally not used to boost androgens much as it’s fairly weak compared to taking a directly androgenic steroid but contrary to what you might read it certainly can convert into androgens and you can speed up hairloss in this manner.
Finasteride is a trade off. Like most drugs. Reducing DHT can have some side effects in the body. But it’s known to help reduce hair loss.
If you’re still concerned about feeling less focused or with a lower mood there are a lot of drugs and herbal medications that can help that won’t convert into androgens – you’d be best seeking out one of these. I think you’ll also find thst after a few more months your side effects will subside as the body adapts to the lower DHT levels.
Hi paul,
thanks for your responses…at the end you mention that there are some herbal and other medication that can help with the focus and mood related side effects of finasteride but won’t raise androgens…could you list some??
thanks