Dutasteride for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia User Reviews (Page 2)

• art...
• August 31, 2009

Dutasteride "I am 65 years old and have been taking Flomax for over a year. It works great for the flow of urine, but I had a few side effects so I switched to Avodart. My bad symptoms disappeared, but my flow of urine decreased, and after two weeks, I ended up with a Urinary Tract Infection. I see that some people take both Avodart and Flomax together for prostate problems."

• Ala...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2023

Dutasteride "At 62 years old, I ended up in the ICU a couple of times due to a full bladder and lack of urine flow, resulting in the need for a catheter each time. My prostate size was 150. I started taking Avodart 6 months ago, and the first month was easy. However, by the third month, I experienced a complete loss of libido. I have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, and if it does happen, there is very little ejaculation. I'm looking forward to the surgery scheduled for next month, as I cannot continue with this medication in the long term."

• low...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2017

Dutasteride "Been on Avodart for 2 years now, have been on testosterone replacement for 15 years, have seen a gradual improvement with urinary tract symptoms (difficulty urinating, low flow, trouble starting). Continue to have prostatitis, pelvic pain, dribbling. Avodart symptoms: no libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of penile sensation, low semen flow, depression (when I first started medication). Used to have high libido but now have no libido. Thank goodness for understanding SO with a 'hands-on approach'. 60 years old."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2014

Dutasteride "After 15 years of prostate problems and many biopsies, PSA 139 had acute urinary retention and catheterization (not getting catheter in, bleeding). I was put on Avodart with slight improvement, nocturnal frequency reduced from ten times to about 4 to 5 times, and I felt very dizzy."

• Old...
• February 7, 2011

Dutasteride "I am 63 years old and have BPH which I controlled effectively for several years with Flomax and that family of medicines. However, about 8 months ago, I began to suffer severe vertigo. After several thousands of dollars of tests from a variety of specialists, I quit taking Doxazosin and that family of medicines and switched to Avodart. The vertigo went away within a few days. It took Avodart about a week to kick in, and it is not as effective at improving flow as the others, but I can sleep all night without getting up. However, as others have noted, my libido plummeted to zero and I am not on testosterone replacement. The two counteract each other, and I just need to find the right mix that I am willing to live with."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2023

Dutasteride "The medication improves my urination greatly. But my libido is low, my penis is not erect, and has shrunk."

• Nor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2022

Dutasteride "Have both BPH and low-grade prostate cancer (Gleason 3+3). Been on Flomax and Avodart for several years now with the common side effect of ejaculate issues, but that's about it. 67 yrs old and on active surveillance. PSA levels still elevated even with Avodart, and my most recent PSA test was 11.2 reading. MRI scheduled just to make sure there is nothing more sinister going on. Take both pills usually in early evening post-meals."

• bru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2022

"Am 74, coming up to 75, but very fit (having done 10k running most days for the last 13 years). I've had an ever-increasing enlarged prostate since my early 40s until finally urine retention and catheter occurred 2 years ago. My very large prostate was read as some 105 mgs/cc (?) and I was now (eventually) persuaded into taking dutasteride and tamsulosin prior to TURP's op. My research led me to plan alternative surgery in either HoLEP or aqua-ablation. My concern, despite the otherwise full success of these drugs urologically, is to keep my sexual faculties, as 'they' say these loss effects can become permanent?! So what would be my chances of recovery after taking 2 years if I chose a 'saving HoLEP version' (80% successful) my chosen surgeon offered me? Indeed, my big question (and I'm sure many others) is, 'How many people who have been on dutasteride for 2 years have managed to regain their full sexual functions?' Please please answer?"

• joe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2020

"I've been on dutasteride for two years now for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is a miracle for the prostate. I can sleep through the whole night now, and most of all, avoid surgery. My wife and I expected a little dip in libido, so she takes a little more time getting things going. Only real complaint is when I'm not erect, my penis retracts into my body now, where it used to hang down a couple of inches. My wife pointed it out to me during foreplay. My urologist says she's seen this many times and there's nothing to worry about. I don't like urinating sitting, and I'm a little embarrassed during foreplay, but we try to have a sense of humor about it."

• ISS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 13, 2015

"I am getting drowsiness, no mood to work."

• ts5...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2012

Dutasteride "I have been taking Avodart for about a year now. It has improved my night urinating, but I really do not like the decreased sex drive, ability to achieve a full erection, and decreased semen output."

• Don...
• June 29, 2011

Dutasteride "I am 68 and have been using Avodart and Tamsulosin together for about a month. A serious side effect suffered is extreme difficulty obtaining an erection and/or ejaculation. A minor side effect has been lightheadedness. At my age, the serious side effect does not really bother me, but being lightheaded is a concern in my employment as a transit driver. I believe the Tamsulosin is the lightheadedness culprit, but my doctor does not want me to continue it much longer."

• tom...
• August 22, 2009

Dutasteride "I have been taking 0.5 mg daily for a year. The product works and has a bonus for me. I have always suffered from nosebleeds on an unpredictable basis. Since taking Avodart, I rarely experience a nosebleed. Several months ago, I went to using it every other day, and within two weeks, the nosebleeds returned. With a return to the daily dosage, I have had few, if any, nosebleeds."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 17, 2025

"Able to sleep through the night without needing to urinate. Still have dribbling. Libido is reduced with dutasteride. It does make me impotent. I’m not completely limp, but erections are quite weak and not sustained. The size of my non-erect penis has reduced by about half its former length, from four and a half inches to about two inches. Erections, when they happen, are about three inches now. Zero nocturnal erections or spontaneous morning erections. Amount of initial ejaculate is pea-sized. Eventually, more ejaculate seeps out, though that may be related to the concurrent use of alfuzosin. Able to orgasm okay, though it seems to take longer. Also some mild gynecomastia. I now have almost no leg hair, and underarm hair is very sparse. But I am diabetic, using metformin and Mounjaro, and on a statin, so I’m sure it all contributes to the side effects experienced."

• fit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 19, 2024

"I've been on dutasteride nearly a year for BPH and improvement has been gradual; still improving. Initially, I experienced low libido with it, but this resided gradually over time."

• Ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 4, 2024

Dutasteride "BPH since my late 50s. Used Avodart right away and had the usual sexual symptoms but mild and with good flow and sleep. Had TUNA surgery (not TURP). This surgery allowed me to feel young again and be drug-free for about three years. Then I could feel the flow gradually weakening. I have been back on daily Avodart for the last 8-10 years and with good flow and sleep. Now 70, once again I can slowly feel Avodart is losing the battle. My flow is weakening once again. I dread and suspect TURP will be my next step, unfortunately. (Never could take the Flomax type of meds due to lightheadedness symptoms.)"

• RJg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2021

Dutasteride "Been on Dutasteride and Tamsulosin for about four years. Reduction in libido, dry ejaculation, and need encouragement to get an erection. Starting to get fuller around the chest and losing body hair, but not obvious to others at the moment, and I am monitoring it. Shrunk prostate. I get up once or twice per night to wee. I am 75."

• 66...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2013

Dutasteride "I have been on this for 2 years. It has shrunk my enlarged prostate so I no longer have discomfort, and I urinate a little less often at night. Most importantly, I am able to postpone prostate reduction surgery. Sexual side effects same as others have noted. Now developing some breast tenderness. I take this with an alpha blocker as well."

• 1tq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2012

Dutasteride "I am 65 years old and have been on Avodart for one year. My PSA had increased at a rapid rate to 3.6. Biopsy was benign. Frequent urination was of course an issue. My PSA dropped almost by 50% in the first 6 months. My sex drive is nonexistent and if I can get a partial erection I am able to have a small ejaculation. Cialis will sometimes work. The most dramatic side effect has been that I now have an almost full head of hair. Prior to the Avodart therapy, I was pretty bald on top and thinning on the sides. My barber has been amazed, as have I."

• man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2024

"I am 58 and started taking Dutasteride and Alfuzosin for the last 7 months. Dutasteride works excellently and reduced prostate size by 25%. PSA reduced to 2.99, previously, it was 7.2. The urination frequency reduced and flow increased. I am taking Cialis also in low doses as prescribed by the doctor. On the side effect side, no major side effects so far (fingers crossed), except for better hair growth. Sex drive is the same, and erections feel the same, except for some minute reduction in semen volume. Overall, Dutasteride has worked well until now...further monitoring and observing as it comes."

• Dav...
• August 15, 2023

Dutasteride "Age 70. Taking Avodart for 10 months. PSA now 1.8. I have an enlarged medium lobe. Doc said it will take a year before it works if it does. I waited too long and wish I had started Avodart five years ago. I have no side effects at all except for lower semen. It did not affect sexual performance at all. I'll stick with it for two years. Alternatives like surgery are so risky. Although prostate embolization is on my radar screen."

• Udo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2020

Dutasteride "From everything I've read, Avodart is supposed to shrink your prostate and/or lower PSA levels over a certain period of time. Been on a combo of Flomax and Avodart for almost 18 months now, and my PSA level is still elevated (5-7, age 65). Also have low-grade cancer, 3+3 on Gleason score. Urinary issues have certainly improved, however, and no serious side effects seen as yet. Will see how this plays out."

• PEI...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

"I have found Avodart highly effective at treating symptoms of my enlarged prostate, but it is a long-term drug. It took me about 2 months to start seeing an improvement in my BPH symptoms, and I really noticed major improvement by month 5. So I’m glad I stuck to my doctor’s advice to give it time. She also went over the side effects very carefully with me, noting it can be a good drug for some men and a poor drug for others. What discourages a lot of men is that while the benefits take months, the side effects hit you after a few days. A reduction in sexual interest will happen. You need to consider that ahead of time before going on it. If you currently enjoy a good sex life, you should avoid this drug if possible. But if you are in a sexless marriage like me, fairly common by the BPH age, then maybe the side effects are welcome. In my case, my wife is in menopause, and I like my decreased desire."

• Nic...
• October 13, 2016

Dutasteride "Urologist was hesitant to put me on this because of my young age. He did. First two months were rough. Decreased energy and sex drive. After this, my testosterone levels actually skyrocketed and I got muscular, lost body fat, and sex drive went into overdrive. Hair regrowth was minimal, but body hair was drastically decreased. Oh, and my prostate shrunk drastically, and my PSA is below 1 (0.9). I was put on this after Flomax didn't work to fully evacuate my bladder. My BPH was causing bladder void incompleteness, which caused a UTI. It took Avodart 2 months to stop this where many medications failed."

• dbu...
• January 6, 2009

Dutasteride "I started Avodart about 3 weeks ago and my nocturnal urinations have dropped from about 3x to once nightly. Stream has never been a problem and hasn't changed. I sleep more soundly and have not had any of the common side effects."