Comment by Traubenfuchs

> which did eventually give me pain in the breast tissues (so I ceased using it)

You already decided to take one hormonal disruptor, so why not go all the way? Find a private andrologist that prescribes you fin/dut + an aromatase inhibitor. Daily tadalafil also acts as aromatase inhibitor by the way. Should be enough to offset the estrogen increase from finasteride. It's worth a try.

I personally don't really believe in topical min/fin/dut: You are probably just getting the same effects and side effects you'd get from a lower oral dose.

The studies on topical finasteride support this. You just believe it's not in your blood and thus there is no nocebo effect to give you ED but it very much is.