Propecia Killed my Erection

[Optic Eye]

I'm 44 and I've had two hair transplants, in a ritzy clinic in Beverly Hills, mainly on the vertex and the frontal hairline. My doctor strongly suggested that I start taking Propecia so I wouldn't lose any more existing hair. I agreed and began my once a day pill of Propecia in the morning. For the next 2 1/2 years I took Propecia everyday and my hair responded wonderfully to it. My hair looked great once the implants started growing. I was overjoyed! It was as if someone had turned back the clock 10 years on my looks. I had been a prisoner under various baseball hats for 4 long years and now I felt free. Before, I would constantly avoid social situations because I didn't want people to see my thinning head of hair. Sometimes friends would joke and say they never see me without a hat. I'd laugh it off but that got under my skin. Now, women were checking me out and my confidence rose. Having the 2 hair transplants (that cost over 12 grand) was the best money I've ever spent and worth every penny.

Now the bad news. My sex drive was slowly diminishing with each passing day. I really didn't notice it at first but about 6 months into taking Propecia I realized I wasn't lasting as long as I used to in the bedroom. I just chalked it up to being tired or getting older (not a kid anymore). Sometimes everything was fine and dandy but things started getting bad in the second year on Propecia. My erections weren't nearly as strong as before. I was flying at half mast. Sometimes I could barely maintain enough wood to get a condom on. Once I had the condom on I couldn't feel anything. My penis was numb. Condoms always dull the sensation no matter how thin they are but I couldn't feel anything at all. Sensitivity near zero. This was scary. I got very little pleasure from sex. It was like exercise. Even without the condom sometimes it was hard to get things going, when a woman gave me head, it was like watching someone else on TV because I just barely felt it. On a good day I could get it up, get it in a condom and give her a few good strokes and that was it. I was on a downward spiral sexually, I can't begin to tell you about the embarassment I felt but my hair looked great. My relationship with my girlfriend fell apart and we soon broke up. I told my doctor and he said he could write me a perscription for Viagra. I didn't want to start taking the magic blues, because they have some nasty side effects of their own. Besides, I was a superman in the sack before my surgery and Propecia. I knew in my mind I had one thing to do.

I had to stop taking Propecia. I knew that about 2% of the men that take Propecia experience erectile problems and I guess I was in that small margin. After a few weeks off Propecia my desire and rockhard erections came roaring back. I was waking up in the morning with a boner. That's something that rarely happened while I was on Propecia. Now, without Propecia dulling my senses I was swinging the lumber, burning women down to the ground. I was a love machine again and I got my sexual confidence back. That was 11 months ago and I haven't taken a single dose of Propecia since.

Now the downside: At the moment I have some major shedding going on with the hair surrounding the transplants. I read that if you stop Propecia, then any benefit you gain while on it will be lost within a year. I also read when you start up a new treatment you can expect shedding for the first few months. I believe I'm getting a double whammy of shedding right now from the stoppage of Propecia and starting the 10% Minox about 6 months ago. I'm trying not to panic as my hair looks thinner and uncooperative with each washing. I'm just trying to weather the shedding storm and hope that the minox will soon take effect and restore my density.

I didn't want to stop Propecia but I was caught between a rock and a hard place. What good is having hair and being attractive to women if you can't perform sexually. That's what life is all about. I'd rather be bald or thinning and have my dick work than have a full head of lovely hair and have a limp noodle. If there is anything worst than hairloss it's not having your pecker work. You feel like half a man.


When I stopped Propecia I decided to try topicals. I started with Spectral DNC, "The world's most effective topical hair loss treatment", that's what the bottle says. Spectral DNC is an orange solution that contains 5% minoxidil, Aminexil, and various herbal ingredients. I used this for only 6 months because it constantly turned my black hair orange wherever it was applied. I didn't see any shedding while I used Spectral DNC but I didn't see any results either. I switched to Perfect Hair Solution's, 10% Minoxidil with 5% Azelaic Acid (twice a day), added Procerin (a supposed herbal dht blocker), a saw palmetto pill 160mg (to give the Procerin a boost), and Nizoral shampoo (twice a week). That's my regimen.

Once I switched to the Minox I started to shed within a 2 months. A hard shed. Shedding hair is scary, especially when you've had two density building hair transplants. I'm at the point where I almost need to reach for my hat again because of the thin spots. Everything I've read about shedding said it's temporary and the hair will grow back, just hang in there but I don't know. I think the minox is making some of the transplanted hairs shed too. It's been 5 months on my new regimen and hard to tell if the shedding has completely stopped or not. I'm sure it has slowed. I really don't see a staggering amount of hairs falling out when I comb it, but after I wash my hair it always looks thinner. I see some small hairs sprouting but I don't know if they are miniaturizing from the lack of Propecia or are they new hairs growing from the super strength Minox. It's hard to tell what I'm actually seeing. I'm going to keep at my regimen for another 6 months and if no improvement, I'll have to do something else, but without Propecia in my line of defense I don't see many options.

[Rosso_Corsa]

Thanks for posting that. I totally hear you about impotence making one feel like "half a man".

That is my biggest fear that is holding me back from starting Propecia! What good is a full head of hair if you can't perform?!

[Mr. 4000]

Thanks for posting that. I totally hear you about impotence making one feel like "half a man".

That is my biggest fear that is holding me back from starting Propecia! What good is a full head of hair if you can't perform?!

absolutely nothing!

[Dr Dan McGrath]

I am sorry to here that you had the response that you did with the propecia.
In my practice I try to explain to patients that this is a very small percentage of patients that have a response like that, but I also remind them that this is not life or death, its hair, and if you get side effects from the medicine what good is that?
I have had some success though in giving my patients a drug holiday for a month or two and then restarting the Propecia but going to an every other day dosing schedule or even every third day for a few weeks. That way you can still get some benefit with the least amount of side effects.
It may be worth a try.

Dr Dan

[Red20]

I am sorry to here that you had the response that you did with the propecia.
In my practice I try to explain to patients that this is a very small percentage of patients that have a response like that, but I also remind them that this is not life or death, its hair, and if you get side effects from the medicine what good is that?
I have had some success though in giving my patients a drug holiday for a month or two and then restarting the Propecia but going to an every other day dosing schedule or even every third day for a few weeks. That way you can still get some benefit with the least amount of side effects.
It may be worth a try.

Dr Dan


Fantastic advice Dr Dan!

[brando1]

I had the same issue when I first started taking proscar so I stopped for a while then started back up again. Those side effects eventually went away including the soreness in my breast area. But at the age of 44yrs your testosterone slowly decrees, maybe get you tesosterone free and total checked out or ask your doc for a prescription of Androgel for that boost:D
If you do decide to get your testosterone Free and Total checked out make sure you do first thing in the Morning or your test will show false results.

I would stay in there and let you body adjust to the med and try not to think about it so much;)

Good luck.

[Buckerine11]

Does anyone know if gynecomastia from Propecia always comes with initial tenderness of the breasts?
Or can you get man-boobs without feeling anything?

[dd11856]

I am looking at stopping Propecia. I have already reduced the dosage to only three times a week and the side effects haven't gone away. What are some alternative treatments that won't give the same side effects?

[joeh4n]

That must have been a scary experience. I will consult my doctor before taking Propercia :S

[Mr. 4000]

Does anyone know if gynecomastia from Propecia always comes with initial tenderness of the breasts?
Or can you get man-boobs without feeling anything?

The tenderness is surely a sign but I don't think you have to have the tenderness. Sometime times it is associated with being overweight (at least I heard that somewhere) but that is also indirectly related to the natural hormone levels in the body. Those with higher estrogen to test levels tend to have a great chance at getting gyno.????? SOmeone correct me if I'm off base here.......thanks

I'm not sure if it is related to higher estrogen levels in the body but I think I heard that someone.

[zee_1973]

Hi Optic_Eye:

I came across your original post in this thread and found it to be extremely informative and useful.

I have been on Propecia for the past 8 years. I must say that the drug completely stopped my hair-loss. However, over time I began feeling a very slight decrease in libido over time. I didn’t have a steady girlfriend during that time so the occasional sex was good, but slowly but surely libido was falling. I attributed it to age (I am turning 38). I always had a very strong libido during my 20s and even at times when I was on propecia, but I didn’t feel concerned about it.

I started seeing my girlfriend last year and we got married 4 months ago. The sex has been good but infrequent. I could completely relate to your story (penis being numb, sex seeming like a chore sometimes). The urge for sex would come on and off, but became highly inconsistent. Just two weeks back, the drive was back big time, but then it disappeared once again.

I refuse to believe that at 38 my drive has gone down so much due to age alone. I am very active and fit guy, and I have decided to get off Propecia. I have been off it for less than a week now, and the libido is still super quiet right now.

I do not think that having no hair-loss is more preferable to the loss of libido with the love of my life. I will probably get a hair transplant when the hair start falling out. My only concern right now is to get the healthy sex life back.

I wanted to let you know that your post was the single biggest factor in me deciding that Propecia is history for me.

Would love to hear your update since you have been off Propecia for almost three years now.

[Dr Dan McGrath]

Hello Zee_1973,
I am happy to hear that you have found the love of your life but sad to hear that Propecia may be interfering with that love.
As a physician and more specifically a hair restoration specialist I prescribe a fair amount of Propecia and I am always at odds when I here report like yours and Optic Eye's.
As doctors we really do want the best for our patients and so when we have a situation arise where we need ti choose the lesser of two evils it can make for a hard(no pun intended) choice. As I have said before though in these posts, This is hair not life or death.
For the vast majority of patients Propecia works well and most have no side effects at all. Of course I would tell you that if you have not seen a change in the sex drive with a month I would strongly urge you to do some hormone levels with your physician and make sure that they dont just check the free and total testosterone, but the estadiol and shbg (sex hormone binding globulin) levels as well.
Propecia may well be the culprit but not all libido issues are.
I wish you the best and would be happy to help out in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Dr Dan McGrath

[Aznstan]

Hi my question, and this is for anybody, is if you have a hair transplant aren't the hairs you transplanted from the back/sides supposed to not be affected by DHT and hairloss even when you don't/stop taking propecia? Ive heard doctors recommend taking propecia to keep the HT hair thicker but is prop. supposed to not make the new HT hair fall out permanently?

[Dr Dan McGrath]

Dear Aznstan,
Great question. The truth is that all the hair on your head is going to be affected to one degree or another by the presence of DHT.
The donor hair we use for transplant should not be affected to any great degree such that it would not grow. Having said that though when you look at the donor hair region of a patient who uses propecia you can't argue with the fact that the hair in its caliper size(shaft size) gets bigger.
So the use of propecia in a hair transplant is twofold really, protecting the existing hair and helping to thicken up the donor hair which of course will translate into a better cosmetic result with the transplant.

Hope this helps,

Dr Dan

[Follicle Death Row]

Whoa. I had not heard that about the donor hair. Interesting. Thanks for the info Dr. McGrath. Just one quick question: Do you consider the timelines for Aderans and Histogen to be realistic?

[SBTRKT]

Did you get better optic eye?

[Nitro]

Dr Dan,

I've been on Propecia for 11 yrs and within the last year or two started experiencing lower libido, weaker erections, etc. Be only 35 yrs. old I thought this was too early to be an age related problem and figured it had something to do with the long term usage of propecia. I spoke to my doctor about the issues I was having and he suggested we do some blood work to see if my testosterone was normal. It ended up coming back a little low so he prescribed a low dosage of Axiron(test gel) to help get me back to where I need to be. It's been a week now and I feel incredible! My libido is coming back, my mood is improved, and I have energy again.

At this point in my life I wasn't ready to give up the propecia since it has worked well for me and I've been able to keep a majority of my hair. My question for you is will taking the test gel effect the propecia in a negative way? Since the gel is being applied to the skin will it produce DHT and in turn get to my head? I know propecia is a DHT blocker but will it block whatever is bring applied to my skin. I don't think my doctor would have prescribed it to me if it wasn't safe but in your opinion does this program okay?

Thanks for any info you might have on this subject.

[rockydsouza]

This is my biggest fear. I just started with it. :( Will consult more with doc.

Thanks for sharing experience.

[BientotChauve]

I have been using finasteride for 1.5 years , I used propecia for 6months and then Finpecia. Except the lack of results regarding my hair, no problem with sex.

[samjone36]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913872

Use the link above and see for yourself. Claritan (Loratadine) has been clinically determined to solve erectile dysfunction in men. I suffered from sexual dysfunction for many years after discontinuing propecia and stumbled upon this by accident. I tried Claritan for an allergy and the next day I noticed that I had regained full erectile function. Try it please and never give up hope.

[Johny.track131]

im bumping this thread for the last post above this one even though i havent tried propecia, but can anyone try samjone's advice and see if it helps relieve their side effects? This can give many many people new confidence in trying propecia!

[clandestine]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913872

Use the link above and see for yourself. Claritan (Loratadine) has been clinically determined to solve erectile dysfunction in men. I suffered from sexual dysfunction for many years after discontinuing propecia and stumbled upon this by accident. I tried Claritan for an allergy and the next day I noticed that I had regained full erectile function. Try it please and never give up hope.

Good find.

[Johny.track131]

bumping this again for the post quoted by clandestine^ I just hope it helps anyone

[clandestine]

Good bump! I think more people suffering from sexual sides from finasteride use should try loratadine and see if they in any way resolve.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913872

Use the link above and see for yourself. Claritan (Loratadine) has been clinically determined to solve erectile dysfunction in men. I suffered from sexual dysfunction for many years after discontinuing propecia and stumbled upon this by accident. I tried Claritan for an allergy and the next day I noticed that I had regained full erectile function. Try it please and never give up hope.

[chris123]

I was on propecia for about 5 years and I would've swore I had no side effects. 75% of the time i could perform no problem, and the times i couldn't, I blamed limpness on tiredness. Now, 2 months later and off of propecia, I realize I hadn't performed at 100% for years!! I'm 32 and I swear i feel like a teenager again. It only took about 5 days off of propecia to notice the difference. I've been taking a combo of Beta Sisterol and Saw Palmetto complex and so far so good. Still early but I haven't noticed any additional hair loss.

[clandestine]

I was on propecia for about 5 years and I would've swore I had no side effects. 75% of the time i could perform no problem, and the times i couldn't, I blamed limpness on tiredness. Now, 2 months later and off of propecia, I realize I hadn't performed at 100% for years!! I'm 32 and I swear i feel like a teenager again. It only took about 5 days off of propecia to notice the difference. I've been taking a combo of Beta Sisterol and Saw Palmetto complex and so far so good. Still early but I haven't noticed any additional hair loss.

Could you clarify what you mean when you say that you feel like a teenager again? i.e. you've come of propecia and sides have subsided?

Did you buy your SPC and beta sis online, or local?
Thanks

[gutted]

I was on propecia for about 5 years and I would've swore I had no side effects. 75% of the time i could perform no problem, and the times i couldn't, I blamed limpness on tiredness. Now, 2 months later and off of propecia, I realize I hadn't performed at 100% for years!! I'm 32 and I swear i feel like a teenager again. It only took about 5 days off of propecia to notice the difference. I've been taking a combo of Beta Sisterol and Saw Palmetto complex and so far so good. Still early but I haven't noticed any additional hair loss.

this increase is due to the saw palmetto and beta sis.

in the coming weeks monitor your hairline, and libido, i suspect it to drop around the 2nd or 3rd month.

[khan]

I was on propecia for about 5 years and I would've swore I had no side effects. 75% of the time i could perform no problem, and the times i couldn't, I blamed limpness on tiredness. Now, 2 months later and off of propecia, I realize I hadn't performed at 100% for years!! I'm 32 and I swear i feel like a teenager again. It only took about 5 days off of propecia to notice the difference. I've been taking a combo of Beta Sisterol and Saw Palmetto complex and so far so good. Still early but I haven't noticed any additional hair loss.

The first month i took saw palmetto, I felt like I was 15 again too. It was insane the first month. Then things went back to normal. But in my case the SPH cause my thing to sky-rocket the first month.

[gutted]

The first month i took saw palmetto, I felt like I was 15 again too. It was insane the first month. Then things went back to normal. But in my case the SPH cause my thing to sky-rocket the first month.

i noticed this too, but the effect weared off after a few weeks.

[damielmillo]

Hey!! this is a great find. I have been suffering for ED now for 2 years after discontuniation of propecia...You say that this help you?
How is the intake? Do you have a better libido with this?
Propecia is a poison and has ruined my life. Hope this can help me.
Thanks!!


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15913872

Use the link above and see for yourself. Claritan (Loratadine) has been clinically determined to solve erectile dysfunction in men. I suffered from sexual dysfunction for many years after discontinuing propecia and stumbled upon this by accident. I tried Claritan for an allergy and the next day I noticed that I had regained full erectile function. Try it please and never give up hope.

[chris123]

i noticed this too, but the effect weared off after a few weeks.

Right now, libido is through the roof so are the erections. I wasn't sure if this was because I stopped propecia or if this is natural or if the effects of saw palmetto and beta sisterol are playing a role. So what did happens after the effects wear off? Is libido down to average levels or below average? Did hair loss accelerate?

[clandestine]

Right now, libido is through the roof so are the erections. I wasn't sure if this was because I stopped propecia or if this is natural or if the effects of saw palmetto and beta sisterol are playing a role. So what did happens after the effects wear off? Is libido down to average levels or below average? Did hair loss accelerate?

Did you buy your SPC and beta sis online, or local?
Thanks

[chris123]

bought them online at walgreens.com. I noticed a couple weeks ago they sell the beta at my local grocery store so I will be buying there from now on just for convenience.

[clandestine]

bought them online at walgreens.com. I noticed a couple weeks ago they sell the beta at my local grocery store so I will be buying there from now on just for convenience.

Nice. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[gutted]

Right now, libido is through the roof so are the erections. I wasn't sure if this was because I stopped propecia or if this is natural or if the effects of saw palmetto and beta sisterol are playing a role. So what did happens after the effects wear off? Is libido down to average levels or below average? Did hair loss accelerate?

it is very most likley the effects of saw pallmetto and beta sis.

monitor your hairline, shed levels/scalp itching and sebum levels, in the next few weeks, and report back...because you jumped on the saw pal and beta sis it could accelarate your hair loss.

[clandestine]

monitor your sebum levels, in the next few weeks

lol

10char

[fab]

I got Claritin and took one, no change. Didn't have guts to take more.. It's a good find indeed, but I will try to find other ways. Going to do a check up on my prostate.

[gutted]

lol

10char

dont really understand what the lol was for??? lol

[sausage]

Is this a sudden thing that can happen, could I wake up one day and no longer be able to get an erection?

or does the erection gradually weaken?

[SoothSayer]

Is this a sudden thing that can happen, could I wake up one day and no longer be able to get an erection?

or does the erection gradually weaken?

Both situations occur. Some men find that the change happens instantaneously where others find that there is a gradual decline.

[sausage]

Both situations occur. Some men find that the change happens instantaneously where others find that there is a gradual decline.

oh FFS I do wonder why I am taking this stuff.

Was talked into it by people on here. Not sure why ppl promote something that can cause your **** to die.

[Scorpion]

You are 44, what do you expect? It's probably menopause anyway. Thank God for viagra.

[skipstah70]

To all the side effects naysayers, you might want to listen to this medical professional who did a study.....

xAZ3-t7vJeg