Concerns about Propecia and permanent erectile dysfunction..

[1ainslie]

Greets!

I'm 36 years old with really a good head of hair except for some very slight thinning in a small part of the crown -- nothing wrong at the temples - so I consider myself very lucky to be approaching 40 with 20 something-hair. I have maybe a handful of grays here and there but I like them. I'd love to rock the salt-n-pepper at some point.

However, like so many of you out there I wanted to be proactive about thinning hair so I've started reading about it because I was considering an approach of: Rogaine, Propecia, and Nizoral shampoo (OTC).

Now the Rogaine foam (I think it's 5% minoxodil?) and Nizoral I started about a month ago and that's been really really easy. The Nizoral I use 3x a week tops because it can irritate a little but the Rogaine I use every day and on occassion I'll skip a day. Because I have minor thinning I'm not really checking for progress, I'll just do it and check it every few months or so.

Now -- I was ready to finally add Propecia to the regimen which means a doctor's visit. I really didn't want to see a doc so I looked online to see if I could get the pills without a prescription so I did a Google on it and yes, it looks like you can get it without a prescription from some sleazy looking companies.

So then one of the results was "propecia side effects" so I checked it out and was thinking, ehh maybe headaches or something stupid... Then I started reading about significant concerns with ED, but I thought it's probably a really small percentage and with my crazy libido, it's not gonna happen to me.

But then I even came across a website dedicated to potential and possibly "proven" long-term ED from propecia. I swear this is not SPAM - I wouldn't waste my time on a Friday night spamming for some website.

Anyway, after a real Swiss study they had to update the Propecia leaflet document (in Switzerland) to include the following in the Possible Side Effects section:

Frequency unknown:
...
* difficulty having an erection after discontinuation of treatment
* infertility has been reported in men who took finasteride for long time and had other risk factors that may affect fertility
...

Is the above a real concern for anyone?? I

http://www.propeciasideeffects.com/index.htm

And here's just one post:

http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2279

Is this happening to anyone here??

Yes to take or not to take is the debate, if you look at www.mesomorphisis.com this is a site for Mens Health focusing on endocrine system, put in Finesteride or propecia and search, most say its poison on that site, hard to know, some say it keeps away prostrate cancer. The bit that worries me is in the manufacturers leaflet with the tablets its says that side effects such as ED etc USUALLY go away after stopping the meds, its does NOT say the side effects WILL go away after stopping meds. There is quite a few guys on that site saying the sides are there permanently after stopping taking it. Im still on the fence but not taking any yet

[seraphix]

Yes to take or not to take is the debate, if you look at www.mesomorphisis.com this is a site for Mens Health focusing on endocrine system, put in Finesteride or propecia and search, most say its poison on that site, hard to know, some say it keeps away prostrate cancer. The bit that worries me is in the manufacturers leaflet with the tablets its says that side effects such as ED etc USUALLY go away after stopping the meds, its does NOT say the side effects WILL go away after stopping meds. There is quite a few guys on that site saying the sides are there permanently after stopping taking it. Im still on the fence but not taking any yet

It will be unwise for the manufacturer to say the side effects will definitely go away, as it might not have been caused by propecia in the first place. I was very worried when I read those forums, some people even claim they lost facial features on procecia, got wrinkly, depression, permanent ED and the list goes on and on.
I personally think propecia being demonized on the internet might be from the 'competitors' (snakeoil sellers). The reputable doctors on this forum can confirm this based on their extensive experience with prescribing finasteride.

[hatesbaldness]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8e7HERXA3s

Any thoughts?

[1ainslie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8e7HERXA3s

Any thoughts?

I know Dr Crisler is 200% against it. He specialises in treating people with hypogonadism, ie low testosterone etc. Doesnt mean to say he isw 100% correct but might be. The problem I have with it is I have read too many scare stories from people who had bad experiences with it even after stopping.
Then again some people have no problem, but if unlucky to have problems with it then it can be quite serious, maybe better to be a bit short of hair than libido etc, but it has to be a personal decision. I am still waiting , interesting post by one of the regulars on MACA as alternative, he says it works, worth investigating.

[Winston]

I don't buy it. It's been on the market for over 10 years, you would think it would be pulled off the shelves by now if this were true.

[iwannakeephair1674]

I think that the implications of causing long term ED problems with Propecia is way over blown and mostly psychological. I personally took propecia (1mg) for a year and now I'm up to and will remain 7.5mg a day. I have been doing this for a year. I'm noway suggesting anyone does what I do, but I have my reasons why I felt that this dosage was sufficient for me (because .5mg of Dutasteride blocks a lot more DHT than 5mg of Finasteride, so it really isn't that much). The only side effect I can report is a HIGHER sex drive because I believe the testosterone that would have converted to DHT remain testosterone causing my sex drive to be slightly higher than normal. I understand everyone's concerns, but this drug IS safe and IS effective and would be very beneficial the sooner you get on it. I feel like people need to stop overthinking and make a logical decision to start the drug. the WORST possible thing that could happen in my opinion is that you are one of the unlucky 2% (which I think maybe its not even that high, just people freak out causing them to not get it up) and have some problems in that department..... all you would need to do is just stop taking it, say you gave it a good try..and be back to normal really soon.

I don't see any science where it would effect ED in the longterm because it will not keep your testosterone levels low, because the half life of Finasteride is so short (4-6 hours) that the drug will be out of your body really soon.

The ONLY thing this drug does is inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase Type 2 enzyme.. and when you stop taking it.. it stops the inhibition.. period

So again.. my suggestion is don't waste your time worrying and be proactive, because the longer you wait.. the less hair you will be able to save.

[Limmer HTC]

If you notice any side effect once you begin the Propecia, just discontinue the medication and your side effect will resolve itself within a few days...without long term complications.
Most patients who simply decrease their dose report that the side effect dimished shortly after dosage change.

[Dr. Lindsey]

I have posted many times that I am a big believer in Propecia. I prescribe it and I took it for about a year. Unfortunately I am one of the 2-3% who had that side effect we all dread. Within 5 days of stopping, the side effect was and remains gone. Plenty of our patients over the years have simply gotten viagra to use in conjunction with propecia, but I personally just chose to stop it. Nevertheless I think its a good medicine and for 96% plus patients, there are no side effects, and often good results.

My advice to you is to get it from a local doctor who you can check in with from time to time and contact if there are side effects.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Aznstan]

I started taking 5% minoxidil for about a year now and I didn't really notice a difference. My hair was thinning more noticeably and shedding more around 3 years ago (i'm 25 now) and finally i just decided to take the plunge and go on propecia for a 3 month trial. I'm about 2.5 months in and haven't noticed a huge difference yet although i think i did go through some sort of shedding period, but i think that could've either been attributed from the propecia OR from a stressful job situation that i had occurring around the same time i started the treatment.
After reading the permanent side effects stories...some of them saying people experience them immediately, I'm once again nervous about taking propecia long term.

So my question is has anyone encountered side effects and if so how immediate/noticeable were they? For me being 2 months in I have not encountered any sexual side fx whatsoever, actually i have a high libido and it hasn't really gone down and I still can ejaculate a lot =/
Would reducing the propecia from 1 pill a day to 1 pill every other day still help but not carry as much side effect?

Thanks to all for the great forum and for reading my long post!

[Phatalis]

(oops wrong window.)