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Where are you from (country)?
USA -
How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other?)
Google search - erectile dysfunction, Propecia -
What is your current age, height, weight?
31, 5’ 11’’, 160 -
Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise?
Yes, 80% Weight training, 20% Cardio -
What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)?
Healthy omnivore -
Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)?
hair loss -
For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)?
About 2 years -
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Finasteride?
29, 7/2011 -
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
31, 7/2013 -
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
Cold turkey -
What type of Finasteride did you use – Propecia, Proscar, Fincar or other generic?
Propecia and then generic -
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
1 mg every day or so; occasional accidental drug holidays due to forgetting to take the pill -
How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects?
About 2 years -
What side effects did you experience while on the drug that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
Erectile dysfunction
Put an X beside all that apply:
Sexual
[X] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive - initially but that has returned (I have the urge but cannot function properly)
[X] Erectile Dysfunction
[X] Complete Impotence - initially but that has gotten better (I can get it up to about 75% most days with some focus)
[X] Loss of Morning Erections - initially but that has gotten better (I have erections in the morning but at maybe 75% of normal strength)
[X] Loss of Spontaneous Erections - initially but that has gotten better (occasionally, I have erections randomly but at maybe 50% of normal strength)
[X] Loss of Nocturnal Erections - initially but that has gotten better (I have erections at night but at maybe 75% of normal strength)
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfullness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[X] Slurring of Speech - occasionally have noticed but not sure how often it happened before
[X] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency - may be related to depressed mood from frustration of having ED
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[X] Depression / Melancholy - may be related to having to deal with ED issues
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
[X] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[X] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness - questionable
[X] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease – has slowly gotten better but persists
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[X] Prostate pain - occasional
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[X] Increased hair loss - since stopping Finasteride
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature
[ ] Other (please explain)
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What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
Exercise, proper sleep, green tea, broccoli -
If you have pre or post-Finasteride blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (pls post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)?
Have not been tested yet -
Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience with Finasteride? Story is below
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Tell us your story, in your own words, about your Finasteride usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
I first noticed that my hair was thinning back in 2009. It was thinning on the top and the hairline had receded some. I began to research treatment options such as Rogaine, Propecia, and hair transplant. I decided that it was too early to consider these options. I just wanted something prophylactic so I just began using Nioxin Shampoo as a hair thickener. Looking back now … my hair thinning wasn’t even that badly.
Then, in 2011, I again noticed that my hair was thinning. It was now more noticeable where in certain light you could see through my hair and see my scalp. When my girlfriend at the time mentioned that she could see my scalp, I decided that I should try something.
After online research and talking to friends, I decided that I didn’t want to use Rogaine because you had to be diligent and apply it twice a day and it made hair look greasy. I had several friends that were taking Propecia (either brand name or generic) for many years and swore by it. They said that it was the smart thing to do to keep your hair. They said that they never had any side effects or knew anyone that did. I researched online and most sites and forums that I read said that symptoms were rare and would go away once stopping the drug. I unfortunately never did come across propeciahelp.com or read about people affected by ‘post finasteride syndrome’.
My hair loss wasn’t terrible but I wanted to slow it down at least. I decided to try it and figured if I ever had any issues, I would stop immediately. Before starting, I had never had any erectile problems. I could go several times a day if I wanted. I never even had a problem with ED after any degree of drinking. I always felt pretty unstoppable in the bedroom.
Year 1 on Propecia:
I bought the brand name drug for a year using a coupon I found online from the manufacturer (it required a year prescription). I was very vigilant for side effects and ED for the first couple of months on Propecia. I saw no side effects and felt fine. I took the pill almost daily (with some drug holidays due to forgetting to take the pill). In fact, I may stop for days sometimes. Each time that happened, I vowed to get on a better schedule and take it more regularly. Over time, I felt that it was stopping my hair loss and maybe even making my hair thicker. I felt great with no side effects and considered it my ‘secret weapon’ against hair loss. I thanked my friends for getting me to try it.
Months 12-21:
After my year ran out, I decided to do as my friends did and use a generic. I got it from the same place my friends did. I took this for another several months with no issues.
Looking back, I noticed that I probably had a few side effects. Every now and then, I would get a prostate pain but it was maybe bimonthly so I didn’t think anything of it. In addition, the skin under my eyes became very thin and I could see a couple of veins. (Since stopping propecia, this symptom has gotten much better.)
Months 21-24:
I ran out of my supply and seriously contemplated whether or not to continue. I got what I wanted out of it and didn’t like taking a daily pill. Should I just quit now? After some deliberation, I decided to get another 3 month supply and it would be my last. There was a 2 weeks gap between my when I ran out of my supply and when the new prescription came.
Around that time, I had a big exam coming up so I began studying daily and making sure I had a set schedule for each day. I decided that this time I would really take the finasteride daily so I set an alarm to take it before bed. For 1-2 weeks, I did just that. I also began studying at coffee shops and drinking a green tea daily. I was also working out EOD.
I noticed a change that I kind of liked at first. I started to feel a little different. My erections were unusually sensitive. Things that would give me a small boner or no boner in the past gave me a strong erection now. For example, holding hands with my girlfriend would give me a full boner. Also, I felt horny the majority of the time. Three to 4 weeks into the supply, I felt so horny that I was masturbating multiple days in a row.
A few days later, I was at my girlfriend’s place and we started to mess around. We started going at it and I had a normal erection for a few moments and then suddenly it just went away. I couldn’t get it back. I was terrified and immediately suspected the finasteride.
Stopping Finasteride:
I stopped the finasteride immediately. I started researching a lot and found this site. I decided to just stop cold turkey rather than ease off of it because I really didn’t like the symptoms I was having.
I was completely impotent, I had sharp pains in my prostate area a couple times a day, I had penile shrinkage, and my genitals felt numb, cold, and dry. No nighttime, morning, or spontaneous erections. I felt pre-pubescent.
I researched more and found that green tea has a similar effect to finasteride, so I figured that one potentiated the effect of the other. I also stopped drinking green tea as well. I was fairly certain that this happened due to finasteride +/- green tea but I thought that my stress over the exam may be playing a factor as well.
1st Month after Finasteride:
After 1.5 weeks of no change in symptoms, I slowly started seeing improvement. Each day I felt like my ability to get an erection was better and it was fuller. Nighttime and morning erections began to return. After a total of 3 weeks, I felt back to my normal self and decided to never take finasteride again. I read reports of people crashing at this point and prayed that this wouldn’t happen to me.
Crash:
However, that is exactly what happened. I had a complete crash with the same symptoms recurring. Complete impotence, penile shrinkage, prostate pain, dry and numb-like genitals. No nighttime, morning, or spontaneous erections.
I hoped that this would just get better in 3-4 weeks again so I didn’t do much about it. Plus I was busy studying, so I had to just keep my mind off of it. I told my girlfriend who was understanding and made me feel a little better.
2nd Month after Finasteride:
Over the next month, my symptoms mildly improved where I would get a fraction of my normal erection with arousal, at night, or in the morning but it wasn’t normal. My genitals still felt cold, numb, and I still had penile shrinkage.
3rd month:
I finished my test at the beginning of the month and my stress was alleviated. I hoped that my symptoms would get better. However, my symptoms remained.
4th month:
By this time I started to see some improvement. I could be aroused with erotic thoughts or porn to maybe 50-80% of my normal erection. I could masturbate to completion.
I started having improved libido. I tried having sex with my girlfriend and the majority of the time I could penetrate but I would lose my erection soon after. Less than ¼ of the time I would be able to go to completion but it was a short and I had to focus intently.
I really wanted to get better on my own. I was working out as I normally do. I was eating well as I normally do. Since I saw improvement this month, I decided to postpone seeing a physician.
5th month:
I had a mini crash where my erections were weaker. I decided that it was time to see a doctor. After I made my appointment, my symptoms did cycle back and improve again.
6th month:
I am now starting my sixth month and am getting worried. I feel like I have a closer to normal libido. I just can’t do much about it in terms of having proper intercourse. I get erections from 50-90% of normal when masturbating or being with my gf. I have not tried to penetrate again in several weeks because I hate that feeling when the erection doesn’t keep.
I have decided to take some real action as others have on this site. I have started the broccoli treatment. I have been making sure to weight train 4-5 times a week with heavy weights. I am doing daily cardio 1-2 times a week.
I have also started green tea again to see how that affects me. And I notice that it does increase my libido and I have gotten more frequent erotic dreams. I notice stronger, 80-90% nighttime and morning wood. I also have been getting occasional spontaneous erections to 60-75% of normal.
I am going to start a Multivitamin as well as Fish Oil. I am going to consider Niacin, Vit D, Maca, and other supplements as well.
I will get my hormones tested at the end of this month when I see a sexual health urologist. I want to see Dr. Jacobs in NYC but he does not take insurance and I cannot afford multiple visits with him.
I am concerned about taking any other hormone-altering medications like Clomid and such at this time.
Overall, I feel as though I have been taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. However, since starting a better routine with broccoli, and green tea, I feel like I’m on the verge of something. I am really hoping that I am close to some kind of recovery.
I will keep everyone updated monthly.
Theory:
My theory is that I increased my testosterone a lot when I was taking finasteride and green tea daily. This had the effect of negative feedback on the pituitary that decreased testosterone (and other hormones) production. Plus, I think the receptors for testosterone and other hormones at the genitalia were down regulated or became less sensitive.
Getting receptors to come back can take a long time. My testosterone levels came up a few weeks after stopping the drug but the number of receptors was still low or not sensitive, creating the same situation as before. This caused the crash.
So I think this cycling is the balance between the receptors coming back in balance with the amount of testosterone being ‘told’ to be produced.
I am sure this is an oversimplification. And there are other processes at work as well. If this was exactly right, with time, we would have a lot more people sharing recovery stories.
