Muscle Sport Magazine

CHEMICAL CORNER: FINASTRIDE (Proscar, Propecia)

By Leigh Penman

Technically speaking, Finastride is an orally active testosterone Type 11 5-alpha- reductase inhibitor. There are actually two different 5-alpha- reductase enzymes:

TYPE 1 – This is predominant in the sebaceous glands of most regions of the skin, including the scalp and the liver. Type 1 5alpha-reductase is responsible for approximately one third of circulating DHT.
TYPE 11 – This is found primarily in the prostate, seminal vesicles and hair follicles as well as the liver, and is responsible for two thirds of circulating DHT.

From the above information it is clear that any substance that actively blocks type 11 alpha reductase is of great value. Finasteride is this substance. Using Finasteride can actually reduce your total DHT levels by around 65%.

So why should you be concerned about blocking DHT?

Well, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a breakdown product of testosterone and is produced in the prostate gland, hair follicles and adrenal glands. High levels of DHT trigger hair loss and prostate growth in genetically susceptible men. When you use 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Finasteride you effectively block DHT production, which in turn shrinks enlarged prostate glands and prevents hair loss. Although hair loss could be considered merely cosmetic it can be distressing for many men and, it goes without saying, that prostate enlargement is nothing to be dismissive of as it can be a forerunner to prostate cancer.

FINASTERIDE AND MUSCLE GROWTH

It has often been reported that the use of drugs such as Finasteride may slow muscle gains during a cycle and even lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). In a recent report in the Journal Andrology, it was stated that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors did not cause ED, even in men who took the drugs for as long as two years and reduced DHT levels by up to 93%. Little effect was also observed in skeletal muscle.

There have also been reports of drugs such as Finasteride inhibiting natural testosterone production due to its action on luteinizing hormone release. Studies have also been conducted to call this assertion into question. In this case Finasteride, when administered with testosterone, actually allowed luteinizing hormone release to continue without interruption. The speculation here is that you can use Finasteride on a cycle (1mg/day) and possible keep your LH levels normal (and thus your HPTA) therefore making recovery much easier on ceasing anabolic use.
This is merely speculation though.

DOSAGE

For men concerned about their hairline or those who have incidences of prostate issues in their family, then 1mg/day of Finasteride may be worth considering. Also, when using androgenic steroids (e.g. testosterone) this substance should be considered to ward off hair loss. Boldenone Undecyclate (Equipoise) is another drug that responds well to Finasteride.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects associated with the use of Finasteride are relatively uncommon and are primarily sexual in nature (e.g. decreased semen production, decreased sex drive, breast tenderness). When use is kept to the recommended 1mg/day this should not be of concern. In fact statistics reveal only one or two men in a hundred actually suffer any side effects and this is usually due to taking more than the recommended safe dosage.

N.B. Finasteride is currently on special offer from Maxi Medicine at: www.maximedicine.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com
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  1. Pingback: Muscle Sport Mag » CHEMICAL CORNER: FINASTRIDE (Proscar, Propecia) | penis enlargement natural

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