Propecia and its effects.

[clandestine]

I'm unhappy that things aren't how they were, but I can still function and I'm optimistic/hopeful that things will return to normal in time.

This is the right attitude.

@NotBelievingIt; I disagree. I think chrisis' post accurately demonstrates how finasteride has the potential to seriously impair sexual function in ways which are clearly in no way psychosomatic.

[chrisis]

Thanks, clandestine. I felt a bit awkward writing it, but **** it, it's an important topic and the only way I can relay the experience is to provide all of the info. Ultimately the details about the physical changes are what made me realise something had gone wrong, therefore describing it is crucial.

I think people need to ask themselves, if I wasn't sure that finasteride messed my sexual health up, why is it I've abandoned my remaining 2 months supply? If I had any doubts about my experience, I'd take the risk for sure, but I've got none. I still apply the minoxidil twice a day religiously, so it's not about lack of effort or discipline either.

Bottom line is, until this entire topic is cleared up we only have other people's experiences to rely on. The studies can't be trusted because the figures are all over the place, and you should definitely not trust people who pluck figures out the air or suggest that a drug that inherently disrupts the male hormonal system probably just causes side effects in a minority of men with over-active imaginations. Bullshit.

[NotBelievingIt]

Oh I'm fine with it...it was just written so frankly and unexpected to read, casually, about another mans...ya know haha

[Daneeka]

Heyup Chrisis, I chimed in on one of your threads a while back. What you said definitely rings true. Been off the Propecia for probably a while before you. Thought I'd unlurk to offer a word of encouragement. My sides have pretty much subsided, are you exercising, eating right, etc?

My hairlines receding faster, but I think that's down to the Minoxidil. Mixed feelings about the stuff for for now!

[chrisis]

Heyup Chrisis, I chimed in on one of your threads a while back. What you said definitely rings true. Been off the Propecia for probably a while before you. Thought I'd unlurk to offer a word of encouragement. My sides have pretty much subsided, are you exercising, eating right, etc?

My hairlines receding faster, but I think that's down to the Minoxidil. Mixed feelings about the stuff for for now!

That's good to hear Daneeka. How long did it take to return to normal? Did you have the same sides I've explained in graphic details?

I sometimes run but I'm currently transitioning between gyms and waiting for my new one to open in May, so neglecting that aspect a little. I eat relatively well. I wouldn't expect either exercise or diet to have an impact on me though, because I've been fairly consistent before, during and after taking finasteride. The prime suspect is the drug itself, so I guess it's just a case of waiting.

Why do you think your hair is receding due to the minoxidil? I notice a bit of shed but feel it's coming back now. I've been on it since January.

[Daneeka]

Yep same sides -I'm definitely in the group that's susceptible. I'd noticed a lower libido for a long time but the reduced ejeculate, testical pain was newish when I really took notice. I feel I caught the symptoms early, as I've never been comfortable taking Propecia and was keeping an eye out for symptoms. That said I'd been taking it for a 3 (and a bit) years before and been fine. It definitely works up top...

Edit: been off it now for about 6 weeks and pretty much back to normal. I'd say there are mitigating factors to stuff like libido, etc. E.g. being in a long term relationship, stress. But for me anyway Propecia was having a definite physiological effect.

I was interested in the straw poll in the "All Propecia users,,, come here please !!!" thread. If folks have been answering honestly it's an interesting result. 40% have seen some sort of side effect.

Exercise takes a back seat from time to time with me -you actually sound more active. I run and it's great for a sense of general well being, which is why I asked.

Minoxidil is a new thing. Been on it for about 3 weeks. I'm only applying it to my hairline as that's where I'm receding. So I guess the finer hairs I've shed are more noticeable there. Too early to say for sure. It's not put me off, the experiment continues. ;-)

[chrisis]

It's been at least 6 weeks for me since I stopped finasteride and mine persist. Kinda concerning but I'm thinking if it took 2-3 months for them to begin, maybe it will take 2-3 months to get rid of them. Could it be that simple?

Definitely stick with the minoxidil. I noticed shed off that but got some fuzzy growing in now which is helping my hairline a little. That said 'the big 3' are starting to look very 'little' in my case. I will be reliant on getting a hair transplant to fix my hairline and will stay optimistic about Replicel and such.

[Daneeka]

I was on a lower dose than 1mg per day for a while before I stopped, so that would make sense. You'll be fine mate.

[chrisis]

I hope so.

Are you doing anything for your hair besides finasteride now? I'm still on minoxidil and Nizoral, but that's all.

[Daneeka]

Aye just Minox, not gotten around to trying Nizoral. What's that supposed to do exactly. Reduce itching?

I'm fairly relaxed about the about the whole thing. If it goes, it goes. I'll be after a pair of decent clippers and a awesome hat. Not gonna risk my health anymore...

[chrisis]

Nizoral is supposed to be a DHT blocker, which is what causes hair loss. It only works on the scalp itself, it's not actually going to inhibit the activity of DHT in your hormonal system, but I figure it's worth doing especially if you can't tolerate finasteride. There are claims it has secondary benefits of improving the cosmetic thickness of hair, but nobody knows how or why.

[Notbaldyet]

some thoughts

just for the guys suffering, i'll share my experience. i know how traumatic this can be. i went to a good doctor (a urologist) who had actually seen quite a few folks with this issue, and actually said that he had just seen somebody the week before i showed up, just to show you how common this is. he basically said that it is most likely that the hormonal changes that propecia causes leading to a decrease in function. without getting too graphic, many know that propecia will cause the elimination of morning wood. most people don't care, or don't notice, because what do you need it for? well, you need it -- getting good blood supply down there nightly keeps things healthy. without it, you get scar tissue formation and decrease in function. what he did for me was to do what happens with guys who get prostate surgery -- daily cialis. and, it worked! it took nearly 8 months (scary ass months) but things came back. so, thats what i would suggest. basically, even if you don't see a difference at first, if you keep taking the cialis, it promotes regrowth of blood vessels (so long as your hormones are ok).

[chrisis]

Is cialis just viagra? I might get started on some of that. Will that help resolve other symptoms such as less libido and less ejaculate? Or just the issue of getting a boner?

Also did you eventually come off the cialis?

[Notbaldyet]

chris

i don't know about the other problems you are having. they may be a result of hormone alteration and should return to normal, although it could take several months to 'rebalance' out your hormones. cialis is similar to viagra, but you have to understand it doesn't just work the way you think it does. it is actually a medicine which vastly improves blood vessel health and growth, especially when taken over time. just go to your doctor and get a referral to a urologist. be direct and tell him your symptoms without editorializing about what you think. but tell him you would like daily cialis. i am still on it but b/c i was on propecia for years. people who were on propecia for shorter periods of time may only need a kickstart. get better, and then you'll stop obsessing about your dick.

[jayth]

Really? How many threads on Propecia do we need?

I have'nt been here in awhile and wanted to report my experience so far. If you go back and read my posts you will see that I waited til age 34 to start this med because of fear. I'm a little over 2 months into Finasteride treatment. I got generic proscar and I split that into 5 pieces so i'm getting less than a mg a day. So far my hair loss has completely stopped and I do see small hairs coming in on my hairline. As far as sides go they are real but mild. Within the first 3 days I noticed erection difficulty and I had a pain in my balls (on night 3) that was almost unbearable. It went away after that night however and never returned. It felt like blue balls x 10. The crazy thing is I wake up now almost every morning with a raging boner but when I try to get one myself (masterbate) it seems way herder than it used to be. I dont have any trouble (getting it up) when i'm with my gf though but my erections seem a little less hard. Now after 2 years on this med it can be a completely different story. I'm way to early in treatment to be making any claims. This is just a check-in. I'm gonna try and report every 2 mos and evaluate my sides again.

These are some serious side effects dont get me wrong. I guess i'm hoping it's not gonna get any worse. If my dick starts shrinking and I get depressed of course I will stop taking the stuff. It seems to me that your body would always make DHT til you die so i'm wondering how people have irreversable side effects? I would like to see the scientific evidence of this if anybody has a link. Again, i'm not doubting it. I just want to know how it's possible. Does Finasteride mess with something other than 5-alpha reductase? Does it **** with serotonin or other brain chemicals?