Finasteride aka Propecia/Proscar and Erectile Dysfunction

[Cork]

I have been reading a lot of articles on the internet that Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction (one study put it at 15%) and can potentially cause it long term even after the patient stops taking the medication.

I have also seen it mentioned that male brest cancer is 200 times more likely to occur by taking this medication but from the little bit I read it was not an extensive study and was a small group so this might be easily disregarded.

The UK, Italian and Swedish governments have insisted that Merck (pharmaceutical manufacturer) put this warning on their packaging. At least two class-action lawsuits—one in the United States and one in Canada—have been filed on behalf of PFS patients seeking damages for the harm they say Propecia has caused them.

Quote from MensHealth.com - "But then, on April 19, 2011—in the wake of the new research, publicity about class-action lawsuits in the United States and Canada, and this magazine's continued requests for additional information—Merck suddenly reversed course, officially updating the label to include "reports of erectile dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of Propecia.""






I am considering a transplant in a few months and assume I will be recommended to take Finasteride post op so this is a big issue that is concerning me.

What is the general experience of this community on the side effects of Finasteride?

The article on MensHealth.com that inspired this thread: http://www.menshealth.com/health/hair-raising-effect

[OrdinaryUser]

It's really hard to determine if ED is being caused from the finasteride. I subscribe to the camp that feels it's psychological for most the people in the small subset claiming persistent effects. I think people that prime themselves with the deluge of negative self-reports on the internet open themselves up for potentially bad things later on, perceiving everything to be a result of finasteride, and believing they will develop ED.

[sadscalp]

It's really hard to determine if ED is being caused from the finasteride. I subscribe to the camp that feels it's psychological for most the people in the small subset claiming persistent effects. I think people that prime themselves with the deluge of negative self-reports on the internet open themselves up for potentially bad things later on, perceiving everything to be a result of finasteride, and believing they will develop ED.

Oh, so it's psychological? Wow, that's a load off my mind! I guess it's psychological that my penis has completely changed it's appearance and lost sensitivity and fullness, my libido is completely destroyed (libido and erectyle dysfunction are two different things by the way), and I'm physically weaker and tire quickly, to name a few things. To say nothing of the psychological symptoms. And this has been going on for over 3 years now.

Thank you so very, very much for telling me that this is all in my head. Personally I didn't think it was possible to completely change the appearance of your d*** with your brain, but you sound like a trustworthy chap who knows what he's talking about.

To the OP: Even if the majority of people who take it are perfectly fine, if you are one of the unlucky ones, like me, you'll rue the day you took the decision to put this stuff in your body. Do NOT f*** with your hormones. It's really not worth it. I couldn't care less about my hair at this point, I just want to be well again.

[OrdinaryUser]

Oh, so it's psychological? Wow, that's a load off my mind! I guess it's psychological that my penis has completely changed it's appearance and lost sensitivity and fullness, my libido is completely destroyed (libido and erectyle dysfunction are two different things by the way), and I'm physically weaker and tire quickly, to name a few things. To say nothing of the psychological symptoms. And this has been going on for over 3 years now.

Thank you so very, very much for telling me that this is all in my head. Personally I didn't think it was possible to completely change the appearance of your d*** with your brain, but you sound like a trustworthy chap who knows what he's talking about.

To the OP: Even if the majority of people who take it are perfectly fine, if you are one of the unlucky ones, like me, you'll rue the day you took the decision to put this stuff in your body. Do NOT f*** with your hormones. It's really not worth it. I couldn't care less about my hair at this point, I just want to be well again.

I did not mean to offend. It was just an opinion, please don't take it personal. I just arrive at my belief based on how ED has a psychological element to it as well and that, if someone experiences ED from Fin, and if Fin is said to be the strict cause of the ED, then it would be expected that ED went away after cessation of Fin, with hormone levels returning to normal. That's all I meant, I did not mean to minimize your suffering or intend to be insensitive about it. I am sorry.

[Cork]

Surely if as many as 15% of people experience ED with this medication there should be a lot of stories about it in this community?

Sadscalp, sorry to hear that it affected you so badly, I hope that you find a way to overcome this - possibly look into natural ways to increase your testosterone production with certain foods and specific exercises. I may be recommending a bandage for a bullet wound but thanks for helping to make me aware of this.

[RedStaR]

Oh, so it's psychological? Wow, that's a load off my mind! I guess it's psychological that my penis has completely changed it's appearance and lost sensitivity and fullness, my libido is completely destroyed (libido and erectyle dysfunction are two different things by the way), and I'm physically weaker and tire quickly, to name a few things. To say nothing of the psychological symptoms. And this has been going on for over 3 years now.

Thank you so very, very much for telling me that this is all in my head. Personally I didn't think it was possible to completely change the appearance of your d*** with your brain, but you sound like a trustworthy chap who knows what he's talking about.

To the OP: Even if the majority of people who take it are perfectly fine, if you are one of the unlucky ones, like me, you'll rue the day you took the decision to put this stuff in your body. Do NOT f*** with your hormones. It's really not worth it. I couldn't care less about my hair at this point, I just want to be well again.

Please explain without using exaggerated language, how did your penis change?

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