Post Hair Transplant - Now 25 - Serious Propecia Side Effects - Looking for advice

[Locke]

Hey all,

Had a hair transplant with Dr. Rahal 2 years ago at 23 years of age. Turning 25 next month.

Needless to say the results have been amazing. From 20-23 I was extremely self conscious about my hair loss and spent all of my time indoors and depressed. Now I am back in shape after hitting the gym, flirt with tons of girls, and I'm actually getting laid again. Last night to be specific and here is where my problems start...

---Propecia Problem---
I had been off and on Proscar between 20-23 but a few months prior to my HT I decided to start Propecia 1mg/day again seriously to maximize the time until I needed another HT.

Initially the side effects were few and far between, most just change in ejaculate consistency and volume. Life was good. However over the past few months I noticed that my erections were weakening, my penis was becoming less sensitive, and orgasm just didn't have the same appeal. I kept telling myself this was fine when I was masturbating and that when I got with a woman all would be well as my body would just respond and I'd get hard.

2 months ago I was with a woman (first time in a few years) in my house and after having some wine I was able to achieve an erection but it was nowhere near as firm as it had been in the past before I started propecia. I realize wine may have played a role but not a big one. I blamed this on not being able to feel through the condom. Also, I'd be able to get myself semi-firm and then after penetration it would kind of just die down. This made sex really difficult. I was able to reach orgasm using my own devices with her next to me.

Last night I was with another woman and had the same problems but worse. I wasn't even able to achieve orgasm...She would be pleasing me and I'd barely be able to feel it.

I've stopped propecia for weeks at time and things seemed to have gotten better so I'm praying to god I'm not a victim of PFS after prolonged use. **** me if I am.

Now I'm not entirely sure what to do but the following are possibilities...

1) Stop Fin altogether (do I stop cold turkey or wean myself off?).
2) Stop Fin altogether and ensure that things return to normal no matter how long this takes and then re-start Propecia at 0.5mg
3) Continue Fin at 0.5mg/day and hope the sides get better

I'D LIKE SOME OPINIONS ON HOW I SHOULD PROCEED PLEASE.

The thing is, after having a HT, once I stop Fin I know the hair behind my hair transplant is going to fall out and it'll look really weird. I don't really have time off until 1 year from now when I graduate I'll have a month off to get a FUE.

[Locke]

I met with a urologist a few months ago and one of the suggestions he made was using Viagra.

Now at 25 I'm not too keen to start using it.

For those who have used it, does it only increase the firmness of the erection or does it increase sensitivity to the area?

[Locke]

Prior to HT in 2011 at age 23.


Immediately Post-Op June 2011


Last Week




I cannot describe to you how absolutely incredible it feels to look and feel my age again.

Here's the catch 22 - I invested all this money into my hair so that I could get girls and get laid but now that I have the hair this drug ****s me over so that I can't even function while getting laid.

This Propecia drug and HT really is like making a deal with the devil...

[Woodyy]

This may sound mad but try to stop masturbating and watching porn completely, I used to have slight ED and that turned out to be the problem. This is something millions of people worldwide are doing. You may have already heard of all this but just in case you haven't go and look at "yourbrainonporn" and watch the educational videos etc.

I honestly believe you can stay on fin + overcome ED doing this.

[Locke]

This may sound mad but try to stop masturbating and watching porn completely, I used to have slight ED and that turned out to be the problem. This is something millions of people worldwide are doing. You may have already heard of all this but just in case you haven't go and look at "yourbrainonporn" and watch the educational videos etc.

I honestly believe you can stay on fin + overcome ED doing this.

Thanks man. I'll give it a shot. I've been doing it about once a day since I was 12 so it could definitely play a role. I'll let you know how it goes.

[LMS]

This may sound mad but try to stop masturbating and watching porn completely, I used to have slight ED and that turned out to be the problem. This is something millions of people worldwide are doing. You may have already heard of all this but just in case you haven't go and look at "yourbrainonporn" and watch the educational videos etc.

I honestly believe you can stay on fin + overcome ED doing this.

I can vouch for this

[chrisis]

Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, that's all. It won't address whatever biological impact Propecia is having on your body, it will just be a band aid for one of the symptoms, i.e. erectile dysfunction.

Also, I tried Woodyy's suggestion (no porn etc) for about a month and it didn't help.

I'm afraid the culprit here is the drug. If you come off it, do so gradually.

Do you use minoxidil and Nizoral?

[Locke]

Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, that's all. It won't address whatever biological impact Propecia is having on your body, it will just be a band aid for one of the symptoms, i.e. erectile dysfunction.

Also, I tried Woodyy's suggestion (no porn etc) for about a month and it didn't help.

I'm afraid the culprit here is the drug. If you come off it, do so gradually.

Do you use minoxidil and Nizoral?

I use Minoxidil 5% topically before bed and I was using Nizoral 2% once a week but have increased it to every day as I've noticed my hair is starting to fall out at an increased rate. I use conditioner after and it doesn't leave my hair dry.

I'm going to do 0.5mg for 2 weeks then 0.25mg for another 2 weeks before quitting and hoping things return to normal. I probably should have done this a long time ago but kept deluding myself. Hoping for the best.

[Locke]

Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, that's all. It won't address whatever biological impact Propecia is having on your body, it will just be a band aid for one of the symptoms, i.e. erectile dysfunction.

Also, I tried Woodyy's suggestion (no porn etc) for about a month and it didn't help.

I'm afraid the culprit here is the drug. If you come off it, do so gradually.

Do you use minoxidil and Nizoral?

From what I've read of your posts you've had side effects even after discontinuing the drug?

Have you tried Viagra to help?

[chrisis]

I'm going to do 0.5mg for 2 weeks then 0.25mg for another 2 weeks before quitting and hoping things return to normal. I probably should have done this a long time ago but kept deluding myself. Hoping for the best.

Seems sensible to me! I hope it works out for you!

From what I've read of your posts you've had side effects even after discontinuing the drug?

Have you tried Viagra to help?

Yeah I had side effects and still persisting, though they're improving very slowly. I didn't try Viagra because I didn't really have erectile problems - more other symptoms, like sensitivity etc. I just think it's a bit dangerous medicating with one drug to offset the negative effect of another. Like using your body as a laboratory...