Flomax is an alpha blocker, not the same as finasteride.

Some alpha blocker have less side effects but are less powerful in some cases anyway. If you have side effects from flomax, switch to alfuzosin, just slightly less powerful, but way less side effects.

Drugs like finasteride and dutasteride reduce DHT, which only in theory causes BPH to stop. But they have real problems, if not at the start in the long term.

Here is some AI
1
Alpha blockers, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck. This relaxation improves urine flow by reducing the constriction caused by the enlarged prostate. They do not shrink the prostate, but rather alleviate symptoms by facilitating easier urination.
2
Finasteride (and more powerful dutasteride) is a type of medicine known as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.
Here's how it works on the prostate:
Inhibits 5-alpha reductase: Finasteride works by blocking the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Reduces DHT production: This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone, a male sex hormone, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is considered the primary androgen driving the growth of the prostate.
Shrinks the prostate: By preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, finasteride effectively lowers DHT levels in the prostate. This reduction in DHT leads to a decrease in prostate size, addressing issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. In fact, finasteride can reduce prostate volume by approximately 20% to 30%.
Alleviates BPH symptoms: This reduction in prostate size can alleviate symptoms associated with BPH, such as frequent urination, difficulty urinating, or a feeling that the bladder isn't completely empty after urination.
In essence, finasteride targets the hormonal pathway responsible for prostate growth, making it a key treatment option for conditions like BPH and even showing potential in prostate cancer prevention