A few questions for a new guy

I was on Propecia for two months, and quit at the end of January. It’s now the end of March and I’m still suffering from side effects, and have a few questions just to get a sense of where I am.

I get erections during the night, but they’re only about 50%. I can usually get an erection if I put in the effort, but it’s not as hard as it used to be and it doesn’t last long once I stop masturbating/fantasizing. I still get some movement when I just sit and think about sex without physical contact but it’s not fully erect and doesn’t last long. I haven’t had an orgasm in a few days and I’ve found that I feel some arousal, but again, no erection without physical contact.

No brain fog or gynecomastia. I had pain in my testicles and prostate but that has stopped. My testicles are hanging like they used to before propecia unless it’s cold.

  1. I’m curious if this is where you guys are, or if most people have completely lost the ability to have an erection.

  2. I started losing my hair again about a month ago, do most people begin to lose their hair again? I’ve seen a few posts in which men have said their hair hasn’t started falling out again.

  3. Any supplements you could recommend over the counter like zinc, etc.? I’m not too eager to begin taking any heavy medical treatment right now.

  4. I went to the Doctor and my testosterone was normal; what tests should I get if/when I go back and what doctor (urologist?) should I see? I live in Massachusetts, are there any good doctors around here? I can’t imagine going much farther than Pennsylvania right now.

I’m sorry if I was supposed to post this information somewhere else, I’ve been going through these boards the last few days and there’s just so much different information. I’d really appreciate if someone could just give me some answers all in one place.

Jack,

Read the FAQ’s on the homepage. Most of your answers can be obtained there. Many people are in the same boat as you.

http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7

Welcome to the board.

Please fill out the Member Story template here propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371 and post your story in the Members Story section when you get a chance, so we can all get acquainted with your drug history and side effects. Also, please read the FAQ at top of site if you haven’t already.

Regarding your questions:

It varies but for many suffering problems from the drug, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection is a consistently reported side effect – one which is published by the manufacturer as an adverse effect while taking the medication in “2%” of men. It is also officially published by the UK’s MHRA and Swedish Medical Agency as a reported possible outcome from use.

Over time generally most people lose their hair again because Finasteride only stops the balding process while you take it. For those not losing anymore hair, not sure why this would be the case.

Review Natural Supplements section:
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

Maca, Tribulus, Tongkat Ali etc might provide some assistance for libido, and Horny Goat Weed is a natural PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra.

Obtain copies of all bloodwork. Most doctors tend to claim hypogonadal levels of Testosterone are “normal” despite being at the bottom of the range, which is ultimately bad practice and should be considered unethical.

Here are some ranges for youthful adult T levels in men:
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1954

As for other doctors you could see, try and get a referral to an endocrinologist. If you get fed up with disbelieving doctors, consider Dr. Crisler in Lansing, Michigan ( allthingsmale.com ) or Dr. Eugene Shippen in Pennsylvania.

so sad…another person victimized from this drug.