Norcal

I knew this was pointless. But just so you know, I'm not the only one complaining about sexual side effects from rogaine... http://www.askapatient.com/vie...TRENGTH%20(FOR%20MEN)

Of course I'm too young to have ED! Why do you think it concerns me so much??? And please no more responses, "It's probably just in your head." I KNOW what my sexual function and general feeling of my tool was before the rogaine and it certainly has been diminished significantly. I should add that at times in the flaccid state, it feels cold and numb (as if there is not enough blood flow to it).

Ok, here's the deal. I'm 20 years old. I took propecia for 3.5 months, and stopped due to side effects, namely ed and extremely watery semen. Sexual side effects weren't worth it for me. I got off it in early January. Everything cleared up in a week after stopping. So I tried rogaine foam about a 3 weeks after quitting propecia. About 4 days in I started getting ed. I wasn't sure what it was from, and I feared that it was lingering effects from the propecia. But I stopped taking the rogaine and 2 days later everything was fine. I did notice that literally five-ten minutes after applying the rogaine (the correct half a capful, no more mind you) my tool would shrink in its flaccid state. Like it would literally shrivel up. So decided to lay off the minoxidil for a while. Then 2 months later, decided that since everything was functioning fine that I should try the minoxidil again. ED was not even a listed side effect, so I convinced myself it must have been the propecia. The first week of the minoxidil I got EXTREMELY aroused. I had to masturbate twice a day. This seemingly proved to myself that the minoxidil was fine. Then, everything came crashing down, and I started experiencing ED again. I took the rogaine foam for 3 more weeks (4 total) and then quit because the ED was getting ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a college student when with a girl. I figured whatever, I'll go bald, but I'm not going to lose my sexual function at the age of 20. There's been just one problem. A MONTH after stopping the rogaine and I am STILL experiencing ED. My libido was slightly lower when on rogaine and has recovered, but my ability to get it up has NOT. I'll see a girl or watch a sexually arousing video and will think "o man, that girls hot" like I normally would, but there is no action downstairs. I'm not saying I want a raging hard-on like when I was in middle school, but while not on rogaine I would have some connection down there. Does anyone know what rogaine could possibly have done to me? I know it utilizes nitric oxide an important aspect of erections and ejaculation. Could this be cause? I doubt my testosterone is low since I have my normal libido, but could my estrogen possibly be high now? I have gained some belly fat. I didn't think rogaine could effect hormones, but how is the massive increase in libido explained during the first week of rogaine? I'm going to see a urologist in a week, but if anyone else has experienced any of these effects or has any advice it would be greatly appreciated!!

Ok, so I took propecia for 3.5 months. From what I could tell, it was really working. Hair seemed stronger and much fuller already. It worked. Having said that, I will NEVER touch the stuff again. After having done my research and seeing the permanent side effects it can cause. NO thanks. I'd rather have a sex life and be bald then, have hair and be impotent. The side effects definitely crept on as well. First it was the watery semen. Then, a lowered sex drive. Then the day I quit was when I had trouble getting it up to masturbate. I finally did orgasm, but there was very little feeling. I felt like I gained weight in my stomach. Stopped the drug in january and thank god everything went back to normal. So I waited about a month and then started using rogaine. I used rogaine for about a week, when I noticed that my ED came back with a vengeance. I did not put 2 and 2 together at first because I was not aware rogaine could cause ED. I stopped, and a few days later back to normal. Tried it again, took it for a month this time. Seemed to be working, but the ED was too much. Quit it. A week on, and the equipment downstairs is improving, but by no means fixed. I still use the nizoral shampoo. I am now pretty much resigned to buzzing my head down, and eventually shaving it. My uncle has a shaved head, looks fine. I feel like I made a much bigger deal about the hairloss than I had to.

Hey guys, Yea, I've been on Propecia and have started using over the counter Nizoral (1%), for a month now. I've kinda come to terms with my hairloss, which I think is good. If I go bald, so be it. If the propecia works, great, if not I'll have to live with it. I don't want to use Rogaine because it seems like too much of a hassle. As for sides from Propecia, I've only noticed one. My semem is definitely more 'watery', but it hasn't affected my sex drive or my erectile function so I can't really complain. Right now, I'm still shedding hairs, but I think that's to be expected. I'm not sure if I'm shedding more than I was before really, maybe a little, but nothing ridiculous. Also, I should note that my hairloss was a bit more extensive then those pics show. I got my haircut right before going on propecia, and it was clear that I was definitely a diffuse thinner all over the top. I had bloodwork done to make sure it wasn't anything with my thyroid (which my family has a history of). The dermatologist I saw was convinced it was MPB anyways. I'll keep you guys posted though. Sorry if I don't visit the site a lot, but I'm really trying not to think about it that much and just focus on other things. Norcal

Hey Bill I have a question. I went to a derm a week back, and got a prescription for propecia. I asked him about Proscar, and he said he would give me a prescription for it, but that it would mess up my insurance premiums later. He said insurance companies would see that and assume I had some prostate problem at the age of 20! I've been on propecia for a week now, and everything's been fine. I don't think I'm shedding particularly more than before, and there are no "side effects." My question is whether the doc just lied because he did not want to write me a prescription for proscar. Also, when does the shedding period usually start? Also, if Propecia is to stop my hairloss from what point will it do so? I.e. is the hair I'm losing now (only a week in) going to come back or is gone forever?

Is that why some claim Propecia can lead to acne flair ups?? Isn't a heightened level of testosterone a major contributor to teenage acne?

Ok, so I'd never really taken a mirror to the back of my head before. I'd always kinda felt a hair whorl/cowlick back there. One day I looked at the back of my head and was very concerned! It appeared like I was going bald. I just turned 20, so I realize that its within the realm of possibility. My dad didn't start losing his hair until he was in his early 30s, but now is pretty sparse on top as he is about to turn 50. One of his brothers still has a full head of hair, and the other lost his hair in his early 20s. My mom's dad started balding in his 40s, although I've heard that the whole mom's side of the family thing is false. Anyways, I'll post some pics, and give me the honest truth. I asked both my parents and they said I wasn't, but my roommate in college commented on how it looked like I was balding in the back because he can see a circle!! Here they are. I'm definitely not balding in the front, but the crown is what I'm worried about. That's where my dad started to lose his hair too! http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/Akajjred/?action...rent=09082008010.jpg http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/Akajjred/?action...rent=09082008009.jpg http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/Akajjred/?action...rent=09082008008.jpg http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/Akajjred/?action...rent=09082008007.jpg http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/Akajjred/?action...rent=09082008006.jpg