What Happens If I Stop Taking Finasteride for My Prostate?

October 11, 2025 •

2 min read

For men taking finasteride (Proscar) for an enlarged prostate, discontinuing the medication will typically cause the prostate to grow back to its pre-treatment size within a few months. It is crucial to understand these effects before you stop taking finasteride for your prostate, as symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) will likely return.

Quick Summary

Discontinuing finasteride for an enlarged prostate leads to the reversal of its therapeutic effects, causing the prostate to regrow and urinary symptoms to return. The body's dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels rebound within weeks. Patients must consult their doctor to manage recurrent symptoms and discuss the risk of persistent side effects.

Key Points

Symptom Recurrence: When you stop taking finasteride, your benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms, such as increased urinary frequency and a weaker stream, will likely return as the prostate regrows.
Prostate Regrowth: After discontinuing finasteride, the prostate gland will begin to enlarge again, returning to its pre-treatment size within a few months.
Return of DHT Levels: The body's dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels will rebound to their baseline concentration within about two weeks after stopping the medication.
Resolution of Side Effects: For most patients, side effects like sexual dysfunction resolve once the medication is stopped and cleared from the body.
Risk of Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS): A small subset of men may experience persistent sexual, neurological, or physical side effects, known as PFS, that continue long after stopping finasteride.
Medical Consultation is Required: You should never stop taking finasteride without first consulting a healthcare provider to manage expectations, monitor symptoms, and discuss alternative treatments.
No Tapering Needed: There is typically no need to taper off finasteride, as it doesn't cause physical dependence or traditional withdrawal symptoms.

The Reversal of Finasteride's Effects

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) that works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the main hormone stimulating prostate growth in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). By lowering DHT, finasteride shrinks the prostate and eases urinary issues.

When finasteride is stopped, its effects reverse. DHT levels return to normal within about two weeks, causing the prostate to grow back to its original size within a few months.

Return of BPH Symptoms

As the prostate enlarges, urinary symptoms will likely reappear. These may include:

Increased urinary frequency and urgency
Difficulty starting urination
A weaker stream
Incomplete bladder emptying sensation

Discussing discontinuation with a doctor is vital to manage returning symptoms and explore other options.

Side Effects After Stopping Finasteride

For most men, finasteride side effects, including sexual dysfunction, resolve within weeks or months after stopping treatment as hormone levels normalize. Some men, however, may experience persistent effects.

Understanding Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)

PFS refers to persistent sexual, neurological, or physical side effects continuing for at least three months after stopping finasteride. This condition is not fully understood, and its prevalence is under investigation. Patients with persistent issues should see a doctor for management. For more detailed information on PFS, you can visit {Link: GoodRx https://www.goodrx.com/finasteride/what-is-post-finasteride-syndrome}.

Management and Alternatives After Discontinuation

Several options are available for managing BPH after stopping finasteride.

Comparison of Treatment Options Post-Finasteride


Treatment Approach	Mechanism	Time to Effect	Potential Side Effects	Best For
Alpha-Blockers (e.g., tamsulosin)	Relax prostate and bladder neck muscles to improve urine flow.	Rapid.	Dizziness, headache, stuffy nose.	Quick symptom relief.
Combination Therapy (e.g., 5-ARI + Alpha-Blocker)	Combines symptom relief and prostate shrinkage.	Variable.	Increased potential for combined side effects.	Significant prostate enlargement and bothersome symptoms.
Herbal Supplements (e.g., saw palmetto)	Limited evidence of efficacy.	Variable and often limited effect.	Generally mild.	Those seeking natural options with caution regarding effectiveness.
Surgical Procedures (e.g., TURP)	Removes or modifies prostate tissue to relieve pressure on the urethra.	Immediate after recovery.	Bleeding, infection, potential long-term sexual side effects.	Severe BPH, when medication fails.

Conclusion

Stopping finasteride for an enlarged prostate leads to the return of BPH symptoms and prostate regrowth. While most side effects resolve, there is a rare risk of persistent issues (PFS). Always consult a doctor before stopping finasteride to manage symptoms and discuss alternative treatments.

Cautions and Next Steps

If you are considering stopping finasteride, it is essential to consult with your doctor first to manage symptom recurrence and explore other treatment options. Understand that the return of BPH symptoms is expected as the prostate regrows. Report any severe or persistent side effects to your physician.

Stopping finasteride requires careful consideration and medical advice to manage prostate health effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you stop taking finasteride, your enlarged prostate will typically grow back to its original size before treatment.

Your BPH symptoms will gradually return as your prostate grows back. You can expect symptoms like frequent urination, hesitancy, and a weak stream to reappear over a period of weeks to months after stopping finasteride.

When you stop taking finasteride, your body’s production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) will resume, and levels will return to pre-treatment concentrations.

For most men, the side effects associated with finasteride, particularly sexual side effects like low libido or erectile dysfunction, will resolve after stopping the medication. It typically takes weeks to months for these effects to subside completely as the body's hormones rebalance.

Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) is a term for the continuation of sexual, neurological, or physical side effects for three months or more after stopping the medication. You can find more information about PFS on {Link: GoodRx https://www.goodrx.com/finasteride/what-is-post-finasteride-syndrome}.

Since finasteride does not cause physical dependence, there is no need to taper off the medication. However, you should still consult your doctor before stopping.

Yes, many alternative treatments for BPH are available, including other medications like alpha-blockers, combination therapy, herbal supplements (with caution), or surgical procedures for more severe cases. A doctor can help determine the best path forward.