Reviews and Comments on Propecia Side Effects and Usage, page 74

Propecia Reviews

If you’ve used Propecia, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Serious side effects
Date: 5/5/2010
My name is Roger and I have been using propecia for about 4 years now with serious side effects that have come to head after 4 years. Can propecia cause your penis to shrink?

Roger

AskDocWeb: It is not listed as a side effect by the manufacturer but a few men have reported shrinking of penis and testicles after they started taking Propecia. It appears that androgens are essential for maintaining the normal structure of the spongy chambers (corpora cavernosa) and the membrane that covers those chambers (tunica albuginea) in the penis. Propecia is an anti-androgen or androgen antagonist. While the loss of androgens in genital tissue can cause penile fibrosis, amongst other issues, the exact effect of Propecia on these tissues has yet to be established.

According to Endocrine (March 2004, vol. 23, no. 2-3, pp. 101-106), there are two ways to establish that androgens play a major role in the function and integrity of erectile tissue: (1) discussing a number of physiology and molecular biology studies that have been published from experiments in animals and (2) reporting the effect of androgens on penile tissue, or in many cases the lack of androgen, in man.

A variety of animal models, and also human studies, have shown the existence of androgen receptors in the corpora cavernosa. The penile erectile response in the laboratory rat is androgen dependent, and the active androgen appears to be dihydrotestosterone. There are several articles that describe the androgenic regulation of nitric oxide synthase (the enzyme responsible for production of nitric oxide), the primary agent controlling the erectile cycle.

There have been few reports showing a direct end organ dependency of androgen for erectile function in the human corpora cavernosa, although there is plenty of evidence demonstrating that low or absent androgens affect a man’s ability to have an erection in a sexual situation. Thus, in man androgen dependency for cavernous tissue smooth muscle function is still debatable. Extrapolating animal dependency of androgens for molecular activity in the penile tissue remains the most reasonable suggestion for androgen dependency of the cavernous tissue in man.

Of course we have to be cautious when comparing the results in rats to that of humans, but the findings are potentially disturbing.

Subj: Less sexual arousal and it got worse
Date: 5/7/2010
I took propecia 1mg/day for 5 months. At 4 months in I noticed less sexual arousal, but I thought it was just a phase and would go away and continued propecia. It got much worse. I am 31/M married and always been a pretty horny guy. In the last month of propecia use I became impotent and tried @ 5 times with uncucessful sex with wife. I Stopped propecia and impotence continued. I was very scared, distraught, & depressed as I have read some cases were this was irreversable and permenant. I might have as well been casterated for this to happened.

It’s been 3 weeks since discontinuation of propecia and thankfully most function has returned. I continue to have less sensation durring sex but at least erection last durring duration. It just takes much longer for me to ejaculate. The wife loved that part b/c I had previous problems of premature ejaculation at times. I believe ED and impotence are much higher than 2% as propecia states. Most men just don’t want to talk @ the problem and live in silent agony. My advise as an RN and a man is stay away from propecia. Don’t take the risk of impotence just for some extra hair, it’s not worth it!

John

Subj: So far so good
Date: 5/7/2010
I started taking Propecia in December 2009. The only negative side effect I have experienced is a dull testicular pain that occurs about twice a month. I have had no problems with my libido or erections (still strong like bull). I was worried about these two items after reading sites like these, but fortunately I haven’t missed a beat. Also, I’ve noticed my hair loss has stopped! And it’s looking like new hair is starting to grow! I wasn’t completely bald, I just started thinning and I wanted to ensure I didn’t end with a comb over like my old man. So far so good. Sorry to hear about all of the other bad experiences on here. I wish you all well…

Nick

Subj: Erections became nonexistent
Date: 5/9/2010
Propecia and Hair Genesis – I used both of these for about a year but found it seriously killed my sex drive and my erections became nonexistent. Most users on this forum have been off the drug for maximum a year but I can honestly say I’ve been off the meds for over 2 years and my libido has not returned. The thought of getting married and not being able to perform is killing me. Please stay off propecia and genesis. Yes it did make my hair grow back for sure – which all shedded within a month of stopping use. The consequences were not worth it.

I agree a lot of it has now become psychological. My sex life used to be booming however I’d say it’s been well over a year since my last strong erection. I am only in my mid 20s. A friend of mine is using propecia and has done so for years without noticeable side effects. It effects some and not others but definately more than the 2% they claim. Should anyone find out how to reverse these effects please share, the thought of this being permanent is the most upsetting and damaging thing if all.

Jeff

Subj: Propecia review and side effects
Date: 5/19/2010
I have been using Propecia for over 2 years now. I started using when I still had a full head of hair, but was thinning on top. I am very sure Propecia has slowed, if not stopped hair loss, although my crown is still thinner than back/sides, and the hair can be quite fine. My hairline at front has actually grown forward and new growth is constantly visible.

The last 6 months I have been treated for Prostatitis with 2 rounds of antibiotics. I don’t believe it fully went away, and is now back. Symptoms of pelvic pain, colon pain, IBS, ‘almost’ painful ejaculation. Prior to the Prostatitis and almost since the start of taking Propecia the following symptoms have been constant: minimal, or a few times no ejaculation, slightly decreased libido (with bouts of rampant libido) smaller testicles, slightly softer, smaller erections at times, firm gel-like lumps in ejaculate (now not present), slooow urine flow, and now I hear of this ‘brain fog’? I feel I could have this too.

I am about to turn 40 so how much of the above is ‘common’ in a guy my age, with or without Propecia? I have also had a Leimo laser for 16 months but can’t seem to get regular enough with it to see if I can ditch the Propecia. I wish there was a natural cure for both MPB and Prostatitis!

Adam

AskDocWeb: Prostatitis isn’t a single condition but rather a group of disorders of the prostate gland that can cause pain in the groin, painful urination, and difficulty urinating. About 1 in 38 or 7.1 million men suffer from some kind of prostate condition in the USA. A diagnosis of prostatitis is assigned to 8% of all visits to urologists and 1% of all visits to primary care physicians. We have yet to find a reliable source of statistics when it comes to Propecia side effects.

Subj: Saw Palmetto
Date: 5/22/2010
I have been taking Saw Palmetto capsules for the last 3 years. I still have lost a lot of hair in the crown of my head (Male pattern Baldness). When I mention this to the Trichologist, he says the loss would have been much higher if I were not on Saw Palmetto recommended by him. Now, there is no answer to this logic, Ill never know. Is there any way I can know if indeed Saw Palmetto works and does it help reduce hair loss? Thanks,

Vaidyanathan

AskDocWeb: Yes, there are a couple of things that you could try in order to find out if Saw Palmetto is working for you or not. First, if you discontinue the Saw Palmetto and your hair loss increases then that would indicate that it was working. If you started using it again and your hair loss decreased then that would confirm that is was working.

Please note that there are some health concerns with using saw palmetto.
Subj: Sex drive was completely gone
Date: 5/22/2010
I started propecia with no problems for about 2 weeks. Then little by little I started to lose my desire for sex. My sex drive was completely gone within 2 months. Why Did I keep taking it? Because I was told these symptoms would go away in time. Well after the third month and my Wife feeling really bad thinking it was her and I was making up the story I stopped taking it. Four months, five months, nine months still no change.

Finaly I went on line again and found a web site for people who have permanently lost their desire for sex. WHAT THE HELL!! Well it’s now 6 years and I feel my sex drive is about 40% back to normal. Well not surprising my marriage is not. It’s caused permanent damage on top of my not wanting to be with my Wife. I try to keep her happy but it’s not enough. When she comes in the room at night I’m like oh no don’t ask. Yes I’m in a living Nightmare.

Please don’t use this just so some people can get rich while they know their ruining lives and marriages. I wish I never took this or at least it was posted on the lable as possible permanent. Now I’m looking into testosterone shots to counter react the problem and facing more side effects and a big cost. They still will not admit this drug ruins lives but I’m here to tell you the truth.

Pete

Subj: Increased waist size
Date: 5/22/2010
I am a 67 y/o female suffering with hair loss. my dermatologist gave me an Rx for propecia and swears by it. she has conducted studies on it and says it is safe, as she also uses it. I get yearly exams and blood tests and all is normal. I am experiencing an increase in waist size, although my weight is constant. Could there be a side effect of propecia(1mg)?

Karen

AskDocWeb: It is not listed as one of the side effects but there are a few reported of increased belly fat by those using Propecia. Read more feedback.
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