21YearsAndScared

Bumping this thread that I made over 4 years ago. I won't be checking back here probably for at least another year, but thought I'd give an update. If you look through my post history, I came into this forum with no real bias to taking finasteride, and I decided to take it for just under a year to stop my hair loss at age 21. I took brand name propecia (1mg for a year), noticed no difference, stopped, and now 4 years later (without finasteride) my hair loss has only progressed slightly (slightly more mature hairline, not even from NW 2 to 2.5). Unfortunately, I had some pretty severe side effects from the drug after a few months, and now at age 25, 4 years later it has not subsided. I can say that the worst side-effect of all is that I just never get aroused anymore - you can imagine at age 21 before taking the drug how different it was. Every year since then I thought after stopping the drug, it would return to normal, however my libido/lust/arousal/interest in the opposite sex has never returned. I don't think I have ED (not completely), although it is more difficult to get it up (requires more stimulus). I've been told too many times that it's all in my head from doctors and the % of side effects is so low, but honestly after stopping the drug so many years ago, I often forget I've taken it in the first place. So after 4 years, I'm 100% certain this is not a mental thought causing my very real physical issue. I am not depressed (I was however very concerned during the first year after stopping), as my life is very busy now and I don't really think about hair and like I mentioned I don't really have a libido anymore so those thoughts don't often cross my mind either. Before I began taking finasteride, I researched for months and all I found was that an extremely low percentage of users (<2%) experience side effects, and these will subside. I believe a new study should be conducted as I sincerely do not believe these claims to be true, having experienced this first-hand. I will tell you from my personal experience that as a young man, I would not recommend taking any drug that disrupts the chemical balance of your hormones - especially one that you would have to take for the rest of your life. I will probably be back in a year or a few to post updates, stay healthy everyone.

Decided to write a followup after a couple more months. After about 2 months of stopping, I felt like I was about normal again. This however didn't last - I'm able to get an erection but 1) it only lasts from constant arousal 2) it takes a lot to get one. I'm not sure if it's a side effect of propecia as well but when I do participate in intercourse it's not as satisfying/pleasurable, just something I want to get over with. Also, my blood tests showed no red flags from those before taking propecia (and testosterone levels were "normal") which makes it worse to find out and fix what's wrong. The dermatologist who prescribed propecia insists this is in my head, and I no longer go to him as it's pointless explaining my situation to him. I really don't want to have to resort to artificial testosterone or anything like that, I did not yet visit a urologist but I will consider doing so soon. Thanks for the replies as well, I read them whenever I return to the site.

I am updating my status after a month since my last post. I still have difficulty achieving a full erection, and the most notable difference since before propecia is that I lose this erection very quickly (within a second of thinking of something else). My sex drive is not improved either, I still have no urge. I hoped I would recover naturally but I am thinking otherwise now, any suggestions?

I never saw an image of the donor strip from FUT, but seeing that picture just scares me (If I go for a transplant in the future, I'll probably choose FUE).

Thanks for the positive responses, I've been going to the gym regularly now and I'm waiting on my bloodwork. I'm trying not to use viagra or anything because I want to get back to normal naturally. Also I know thinking about it can add to the problems, but I'm certain my mind is not the prime factor in the troubles i'm having. Faizy, I have the same mindset as that now, I'm hoping it will be gone before the amount of time I've been using it. I will wait it out and post my state in a couple of weeks from now, hopefully we'll see some improvements by then.

I am following up on my condition, in case anyone is interested. this is the 3rd week off of propecia, and I am still experiencing full side effects. I now have absolutely no arousal from any visual/erotic stimulus, neither my mind is activated/interested, nor am I able to achieve even 10% erection without physically stimulating myself. It is almost as if the side effects are getting worse as time goes on. Just a reminder that I did not have anywhere close to as drastic sides as these until AFTER I quit taking the pill.

I'm definitely done with it after what it's done to me. It's my 3rd week off of it now, but I still can't even get it up, no improvements which is definitely worrying me. My biggest fear is that I am of the few who have permanent sides after stopping.

Thank a lot for the replies Bobilero, I do not smoke or drink, and I go to the gym often. I take a good amount of whey protein, and I was contemplating whether or not the whey could be causing further impotence, but I guess I should keep at it. I've only been using propecia 1mg daily for 2 months, and the rest of the time on and off. I really hope it doesn't take multiple months to get back to normal. I just tested, and not only is it incredibly difficult to achieve erection, but i can't even hold it for more than 30 seconds even if I'm still "aroused" in my mind. I really hope it does get me back to normal and I'm not one of those few permanent side effect users.

I did get my bloodwork done beforehand, and i've scheduled for my next test but I just want to know if there's anything else to do to prevent further occurrences, or just get my body back to normal quicker. This will be the last time I touch finasteride.

This is a Serious concern, I could not get it up last week during intercourse, which hasn't ever happened. I have never had such serious side effects while taking propecia 1mg/day for 3 months (but I did have some sides - softer erection, trouble getting it up but I could still do it, unlike now), but I have stopped taking it cold turkey for 2 weeks now. All of a sudden this happens, I had no thoughts about propecia or anything that would've effected the moment. I'm truly depressed now, as I quit the drug due to side effects, and now I have the worse side effect of them all. Please, any help is appreciated (ex. have you quit and have this happen before? What should I do to prevent permanent ED? What should my next steps be?) Honestly, propecia has not helped me at all in my few months of use, and if this causes a permanent side effect as severe as what I'm experiencing, I just won't know what to do.

I haven't posted in a couple months, but I'm back to tell you what I've been up to. So I've upped my dosage to 1mg/day everyday for 2 months now, and today I found that I have really bad side effects. I basically have ED, I can get maybe 60% of a full erection at best and it takes a lot of stimulation. I'm a young guy at 21, and this is definitely not what was happening before I took propecia. I am 100% sure that it is not something in my mind, as this is the 3rd time this has happened to me since starting. I am also cutting my dose down now from 1mg/day to 1mg/week. If my sexual side effects continue, I will be stopping propecia.

I'd like to know why exactly is it cheaper? If it's the exact same medication, it doesn't make much sense for such a price drop even if it's purchasing in 'bulk'. Why would they have a whole new name for the same medicine with a different dose, are the ingredients different? I'm asking because although I appreciate a cheaper medicine, I don't want to be jeopardizing the potential success of the effects of a better medicine.

I'll start off by guessing that most posters who disagree with this decision are well above age 20. Being a young man suffering from MPB myself, I know just how big of a blow it can be to one's self confidence and view of their life. This 17 year old patient may have less concern of the possible irregular hair he may have a couple years down the road (He may plan on shaving it then) in place of his near future. You must understand that these early years are very important in terms of aesthetics. I've started losing my hair at age 18, 4 years ago. Back then was my "prime", and I would have given anything to keep the hair I had then because looks were everything. Even though I am still young, as time goes on the importance I place on my looks lessens. By the time I'm late 20s - 30 years old, when It's "acceptable" to get a HT, I might not even have the desire to do so. So I am not in disagreement with the decision for this patient to undergo surgery (assuming the results were desirable) as the time period in one's life is very important.

I've read Dr. Shapiro's claim along with the entire study he's carried out (available in a post somewhere on this site). Much of it makes sense, but the other half is advertising his product which in my eyes takes away from his statement's credibility. I suppose it's impossible to determine the true effects then. Scar5 however has brought up another question: Regardless of using whey protein, if exercising increases testosterone (in turn DHT), should I discontinue any demanding exercise routine (such as moderately heavy weight training) in order to help preserve my hair?

I've been researching it for over a year now, there are too many conflicting opinions and views to understand the full extent of protein powders on hair growth/loss. I can't tell who's credible and from where they are getting their facts from, so I'm looking here to see if anyone has any input.

When I first began to lose my hair at a rapid rate, I was taking whey protein isolate. This has given me a biased opinion on these supplements making me believe they may cause/attribute to hair loss (which are still with me). I would like to ask if anyone has evidence that they do not in fact contribute to hair loss? Many protein powders supposedly increase testosterone, this surely increases DHT production, so would it not cause further hair loss? If this is the case for some powders but no others, which types of protein supplements would be best to consume without any effect on hair loss?

That's a NW1 at worst.

I'm not planning on it for at least 5 years, and if I do it'll probably be FUE. I just heard it helps stimulate blood flow which may help with growth.

I've been taking propecia 1mg in combination with 2% Nizoral for 6 months now, and I've yet to see any results. I still seem to be receding (21 years, NW2, getting worse at the hairline) and I'm losing hope. Has anyone found any personal benefits from 'scalp exercises'? Or are they just a myth? If they are helpful, would anyone be able to recommend which ones to do, and for how long/day? Some more details: My scalp 'burns' every few days after I haven't washed my hair, and it hurts when I move my hair in any direction (Scalp feels sore and dry). This is often followed by a lot of hair shedding.

"you're pretty much committed to the meds for life if you want to give yourself the best chance of maintaining the native hair around the transplants. " Do you say that in terms of shock loss, or just progressive loss from natural MPB? I'm asking as a potential HT recipient

I've been on it for 6 months now, and I see no results. However, I'm a NW 2 with only frontal hair recession. I've tried long and hard to gather what exactly this drug does for you, and all I've gathered is that it will not grow your hair to its former glory, it will however stop any further loss in most cases, and some others say that it increased their hair density. So to answer your question from my own knowledge, the benefit for you would probably be that it would stop/slow down further hair loss, and possibly add some density. I think the results show more for those who have lost more hair, so I'd say go for it. I also had side effects using only the 1mg/day pills for a month (although I'm a couple years younger than you), and I've since halved the dosage, but no results so far - I'm still losing.

I would love to try this out, but like others mentioned above, after you stop taking it all the results just dissappear if not worse. My only problem is recession as well, everywhere else is thick. I've tried propecia for about half a year now with no results, let me know if this works for you and what NW level you are?

I'm still not sure which dosage is best after the above discussion, I'm just continuing with 0.5mg/day and will hope for the best I suppose.

I haven't discussed it with the dermatologist because a) it took me 6 months to book my first appointment with him b) He will most likely take me off the drug entirely once I mention my side effects (He had told me that out of 40 of his patients, only 1 reported side effects from propecia), and from my research this may be the only drug that has any chance at helping me with my hair loss. So my first plan of action is to ask this community for assistance instead.

As the title asks, I would like to know which method would be better to consume. Since I've started propecia about half a year ago, I tried the 1mg/day method and 3 weeks later noticed sexual side effects. As such, I've reduced my dosage to 0.5mg every other day. After half a year, I have noticed no improvement to my hair thickness/quantity, and I still shed massively in the shower (Currently NW 2). I'm now willing to increase the dosage to 1mg per 2 days. I would just like to know if anyone has any knowledge of the benefits of taking 0.5mg daily, or 1mg every other day instead? _______________________________________ On another note: my dermatologist prescribed "1.5% Steiprox shampoo" to me (As my hair often gets oily, and makes my scalp so sore it "hurts" when I move my hair - I believe this may also cause further hair loss to me.) I was wondering if this has any known benefits to preventing hair loss, as something like Nizoral?