Low Testosterone (low T) levels develop when the body is unable to produce sufficient Testosterone.
Low T is a common problem among men or people Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB). Low T levels can disrupt your life by affecting sleep, mood, libido, size of your testicles, and more.
Low T can develop due to several factors, including a side effect of medicines you might be taking.
Men or AMAB take Finasteride as a first choice medicine to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.
There is a common doubt among people taking Finasteride, ‘Does Finasteride Lower Testosterone?’
This article will discuss the basics of Finasteride and whether it can cause Low Testosterone or not.
Finasteride: The Basics
BPH is a common prostate problem among men or AMAB that can cause bladder, urinary tract, and ejaculation problems.
Finasteride is a first-choice medicine for treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or enlarged prostate.
Doctors may prescribe it for male pattern hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) as it promotes scalp hair growth.
Finasteride belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
Finasteride inhibits the actions of the enzymes called 5-alpha-reductase. These enzymes convert Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is the primary hormone involved in normal and abnormal prostate growth. The inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes results in a reduction in prostate size.
Finasteride can also cause sexual dysfunctions like Erectile Dysfunction in some men.

