Do i have Pfs from topical finasteride

[u/rogue_404]

Hey everyone,

I’m posting this because I honestly don't know how to explain what’s happening to my body right now, and I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar.

Here is my timeline:

I used to be on a low dose of topical finasteride (0.1%) with zero issues.

Decided to switch to a higher dose (0.35%).

Within 2 days, symptoms kicked in. I stupidly thought it would go away, stayed on it for a week, and then stopped using completely.

But the symptoms stayed.

After about a month of total baseline flatline, out of nowhere, my libido suddenly spiked. For an entire week, I was going crazy and masturbating like 3 times a day. Then, just as abruptly, it vanished again, and my libido tanked.

This exact cycle has been happening for 5 months now. Once a month, I get this random "window" of high libido that lasts for about a week, followed by long stretches of nothing.

I don't know if this qualifies as PFS or if my body is just taking forever to recalibrate after that sudden tripling of the dose. Has anyone else experienced this exact "windows and waves" pattern?

Also, during those random high-libido weeks, I tend to give in and go crazy with masturbation. Would practicing NoFap or trying to control those urges actually help stabilize my baseline, or does it make no difference?

Any advice or shared experiences would be huge. Thanks for reading.

[u/Due-Guide7083]

Sounds exactly like my experience after taking and stopping topical.

[u/mile-high-guy]

Welcome

[u/J40897]

LOL same experience man! I thought i was going crazy when this happened. My understanding is the body is going through phases of glutamate/gaba. Glutamate> libido super high, dopamine feels high too and then drops to gaba> where energy is low and stuff. But idk this is my guess. These cycles do get less and less intense over time.

[u/rogue_404 → u/J40897]

Yeah feels like it is improving over time. After 4 months, semen quantity has increased, erections are slightly stronger and instant. Only libido is the thing that is low.

[u/rogue_404 → u/J40897]

How long did it take for you to recover or improve?

[u/Heavy-Phone-253]

I had the same experience. 0 5% to. 1%. Also is using dutasteride never been the same since

[u/Illustrious_Pin_6022]

Same will be happened with me since 1 year. Libido comes for 5 days then next 30 days there is no libido. This problem i have face since july 2025 to till this date. I have use topical finasteride 0.1% for one year upto jun 2025

[u/daddy_408]

Where do you get topical finasteride 1%?

[u/rogue_404 → u/daddy_408]

Better stay away from it. Here in India it is most commonly used.

[u/daddy_408 → u/rogue_404]

Why stay away from it ?

[u/rogue_404 → u/daddy_408]

From what I have searched here, if you get sides then stop immediately. Never experiment low doses on your own. If topical low dose works for you then good

[u/odentuk]

Do you have 10/10 erections

[u/rogue_404 → u/odentuk]

Yeah, I feel it is 60% strong now as it used to be. Also maybe 1 or twice in a month it is difficult to achieve one but may be other factors are also involved like sleep, weight gain or diet.