You would think the reverse would be the case. Finasteride is a DHT Blocker. That means that Testosterone (with its levels strongly tied to libido) is not being converted int DHT by the body in as many cases. So the consequence is more Testosterone in the blood stream (because it isn't being converted into DHT, as it normally would).
So you think that libido would go up.
I can only speak for myself. No decrease in libido or function. Thank god.
I read the information on DHT conversion from the literature that comes with Proscar.

__________________
vocor1
Knowledge is Power
-- The truth only matters if you know about it.

I'm sure the 2% Merck alledges to be the population affected by a decrease in libido (or side effects) from Propecia is larger than that. Most guys see the 2% as a fixed rule and just say "I never thought I would fall into that 2%". If Merck discloses the real percentage, say 25%, they would never sell the product. I also believe there is a psychological effect to it as Dr. Rose described with the placebo tests. I talked to some men during my research for a HT (maybe 30 to 40)who were on Propecia and at least half of them told me they stopped taking it because of their loss of libido.

Hi all

I have been a regular reader on and this forum and it gave me a lot of no-bs information to decide alternatives to treat my baldness. FYI, I am 24, diffuse thinning all over crown and front and headed for N6, maybe in 10-15 yrs.

Went to Bernstein/Badamo in NHI and first off, let me say that they did seem much nicer than other HT docs I have met. They prescribed me Propecia and I have been on it for 2 weeks now. I have definitely noticed (a) increased shedding, maybe due to finesteride "shock". (b) loss of erectile function and libido. I don't know about others, but this is enough for me to say bye-bye to the drug!! I don't care if I am stone bald, I dont want to lose the very thing which makes a guy a guy!

So as of now, I have decided to go off it. Lets hope the "good wood" returns! The only thing I am using now is Toppik. Works to hide my baldness until I am ready for an HT. My advice to people thinking of Propecia -- this shit is strong and I don't think Merck or anybody really knows/publicizes the full extent of side effects. 5AR, the enzyme which is blocked by Finesteride, is used by the body in a number of other chemical reactions and DHT is not simply a baldness agent but has several other functions. I just dont think we know body chemistry well enough to say Propecia is safe. For those of you that it works, more power to you. I think an HT is a more "natural" thing than this crap.

You should be discussing this with your doctor. There are ways of working around the side effects, by moderating the dose amounts or schedules.

I recommend you bring this up with Dr. Bernstein.

I too had an decrease in libido and erection frequency when I started taking propecia. I dont know if it was chemical or mental. However, I was told to stay with it for a little while and see if the problem went away. It did. After 2-3 monthes all the side effects were gone. I have been on propecia for almost a year now and everything is still normal, maybe even better. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]