Why I highly recommend you don't take finasteride

[All the facts]

I've just spent 30 minutes carefully reading through all of these posts and I have to say - it's clear from Matt, kirrabeachbum and jackisback that despite what some posters are claiming, the side effects are not only real but far beyond those claimed by Merck. I won't ramble on about how Merck and other pharmaceuticals are unreliable in what they say (there are PLENTY of other sites that can fill you in on that). Instead, I just want to say that not only are these guys' stories valid but they serve as a warning. Simply saying that it's psychological or is caused by something else is deliberately avoiding the obvious evidence. I can understand (believe me!!) how we all want this medication to work. We all want it to be safe. But that doesn't make it safe. So if you're thinking about speaking out against these people who have experienced seriously bad side effects, just think for a moment - is what you're about to say anyway influenced by what you WANT the truth to be.

 

And for the record, I'm afraid to say that there are pharmaceutical posters on these sites (although obviously I can't say if they're on this forum). I actually know this because a friend of mine works in one of these companies and has colleagues who do it. I'm glad to say he's since quit (although it wasn't actually for that reason). Their posts look exactly like yours and mine (i.e. very informal, probably with spelling mistakes). I've found this makes it frustratingly difficult to know if what you're reading is true or not.

[Bill - Seemiller]

All the facts,

 

Research is highly valuable and as you've noticed, you can't always believe everything you read, especially with contradictory information. This is found in the medical field all the time. I swear that if I read that one more thing causes cancer, I'll shout! Did you know that breathing too much oxygen may cause cancer? I'd like to know how researchers concluded that and their proposed remedy .

 

I do believe that some may experience psychological effects without experiencing physical side effects of Propecia. For example, worry (anxiety) that you will fail to have an erection at the time of intercourse is enough to prevent an erection. This can easily be blamed on Propecia.

 

None of what I said above is to discount the very real possibility of real physician side effects by taking Propecia. Consumers should be aware of the possibility and then decide for themselves whether or not Propecia is for them. In my experience, I have not experienced any side effects. But others have.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[All the facts]

Bill,

 

Thanks for your reply - I certainly agree that in some cases the problems may well be due to anxiety, however some of the (worrying) symptoms involve reports of very watery semen, reduced spern mobility and low levels of testosterone. These symptoms can definitely not be attributed to a psychological effect (No matter how much you worry about your semen, that won't change its viscocity!) If the medication can have an effect on these properties, it would be no surprise if the erectile dysfunction is also due to the medication's effects, not to mention the fact that the changes I mentioned without any erectile problems would be enough of a concern for anyone.

[Bill - Seemiller]

All the facts,

 

You are 100% correct. Actual physical side effects are a very real possibility which is why hair loss sufferers should be fully informed before choosing to use Propecia. This is the same as any medication.

 

It amazes me when the list of potential side effects for a medication advertised on TV are longer and worse than what it's supposed to correct. The sad reality is - no medication appears to be without possible side effects.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[maxhair]

Well maybe a silver lining to this is that I'll quit thinking about T&A so much and get some work done for a change.

[Flavio]

Matt, I don't question your sincerity and I'm sorry Propecia didn't work for you, but it has worked for me and I've been using it for 8 or 9 years. So, I have a question: Did you already know about finasteride's side effects (e.g. loss of libido) when you first started to use it? If so, don't you think that your health problems (incl. pain in the testicles) could have a psychological origin? There are numerous causes of ED and anxiety is probably the most common. And whenever the words 'erectile dysfunction' are mentioned, men immediately panic. Could this be your case? Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience, it's always important to be informed and hear all sides of the story.

[Flavio]

Originally posted by 23 years old:

[...] Hang in there , friend.

 

Yep, that's it. You guys are not alone, believe me. I've suffered from both too and it's NOT fun. I felt like shit and even had suicidal thoughts when I first started to lose my hair (only women and hirsute men say that hair loss is not really a problem, etc). But hey I've survived! Matt, there's no problem that can't be solved, you seem like a great guy and I wish you all the best, I really do.

[vincentv]

Hello,

 

I am in the same boat as Matt. I took Finasteride for around 5 month, during this time my sex drive was practically removed from my brain. Looking at a pretty girl would provide me with the same stimulation as looking at a tree. I quit finasteride about 6 months ago now and I still suffering the same effects. I am 26 years old and literally have no sex drive. I could go for a year without looking up porn or choking this chicken.

 

Has anyone on this thread has any improvements in their symptoms?

[onlineonline]

this is a really interesting thread. I would like to add that i am 23 and have been using generic fin for about a year. I dont appear to have any side effects and the treatment is working. my libido is slightly less sensitive in getting an erection but it doesnt bother me as starting to lose my hair was a horrible blow to my confidence. Long term effects are a worry but that goes for everything in life. and everything can be moderated.

 

as for the face problems mens faces start to fill out at around twenty. If you sing everyday then your face will always look young and it will make you happy.

[rjnebbo]

Man the Bad Rap Hype Finasteride (Propecia / Proscar) is getting can psychologically cause more problems if you let it. I was concerned at first reading this bunk and I will tell you that I have been taking Finasteride now for about two months now and started out with .50mg and now at .75mg daily with NO SIDE EFFECTS. In fact I will say that my Libido has been better and with stronger erections, and this is with the original thought that the opposite would happen! Call me an exception I don't know; but I have yet to experience that "Dry" ejaculate and other side effects I have read about, BS... I am 47 and things are better than ever

[xxy]

Sounds like a rough deal.

 

Finasteride does have side effects, but so many people are happy with it - can't hate on it for that.

 

I do agree that Merck probably fudged the numbers as best they could, because it sure seems like more than 2% of the people talking about it have had side effects. (Perhaps 2% of the people who continued to take it.)

 

I don't think it needs to be taken off the shelf, but it would be good if there were more conclusive tests that doctors could perform to determine whether someone is at risk of side effects or not.

[Chuckisduck]

I noticed a slight reduction, but not enough to effect my libido.

[skinpin]

if you dont believe what this poor man has had to suffer from then check out this link to see that there are many cases like this, i agree that it is alot more common than 2% that have severe side affects

 

 

SURVEY - everyone please post! • PROPECIAHELP: Persistent Finasteride Propecia Proscar side effects info & discussion forum

[DS3]

Hi All,

 

Well i took finasteride for 05 years ...never really noticed when it started to go downhill....however for some reason my hair still kept on thinning ...so i stopped in between and even managed to get a child. However after child birth i discovered that i have lost even more hair so i went to a doctor for stem cell therapy. He scratched the hell out of my scalp and injected the so called stems. After 06 majorly painfull sessions my remaining hair has turned totally white. And yes in between those sessions he had asked me to take finasteride 05 times a week...and yes right away after week one i realised that semen was watery and that the erections had started to reduce. Its been 06 months now and sadly i havent gained much libido at all. Stay away from this poison. Its really not worth it.

 

Warm Regards,

 

DS

[Fincarred]

Did the OP ever recover? DS3 have you recovered?

 

It has been very close to two years for me now and i haven't made any recovery whatsoever, in fact my condition has only worsened along with my quality of life

[JayWalker]

Not sure if you mentioned it or not, but have you had a full blood panel, and been refered to an endocrinologist?

 

Finding out your numbers would help greatly in treating your symptoms.

[Fincarred]

Yes, i have been through them many times. My hormonal panel looks good, like many finasteride sufferers and testosterone does nothing for me, neither did addressing my slightly high cortisol rhythm and thyroid.

 

 

 

As Dr. Crisler points out; finasteride sufferers often have perfectly fine hormone panels and yet show all the signs of hypogonadism.

[JayWalker]

Yes, i have been through them many times. My hormonal panel looks good, like many finasteride sufferers and testosterone does nothing for me, neither did addressing my slightly high cortisol rhythm and thyroid.

 

 

 

As Dr. Crisler points out; finasteride sufferers often have perfectly fine hormone panels and yet show all the signs of hypogonadism.

 

I do think people should think very long and hard about taking this drug to halt hairloss.

I know many people are fine with it, but so many are having problems like yourself.

I hope you can find some resolution to this.

[Fincarred]

I hope so too because i am very close to ending it all.

[JayWalker]

I hope so too because i am very close to ending it all.

 

Dont give up mate, you will find a solution. Try and keep in mind that your hormones are all in range, and that yes, you have a severe problem, but it will get sorted.

 

Chin up.

[DS3]

Did the OP ever recover? DS3 have you recovered?

 

It has been very close to two years for me now and i haven't made any recovery whatsoever, in fact my condition has only worsened along with my quality of life

 

Sadly not fully but now that i have completely stopped am a bit better but its a long road to recovery though....not really sure if i ever will fully heal though.

 

Warm Regards,

 

DS

[Fincarred]

It is getting scary how many guys there are with problems from finasteride that are not on propeciahelp.com. I thought the 2053 users on there was enough. Are you a member of that website DS3?

 

How long have you been off the drug?

 

Things have slowly gotten worse for me. I have had periods where i thought i was getting better and this ordeal would be over but i end up just crashing again and the worsening trend continues.

[Blake Bloxham]

Although I do not want to discredit the ongoing suffering of any hair loss sufferers, I did want to share a few links to add a slightly different perspective to this thread:

 

1. Concerned About Sexual Side Effects from Propecia? Read this Recent Study.

 

2. Potential Results from Propecia Usage.

[DS3]

It is getting scary how many guys there are with problems from finasteride that are not on propeciahelp.com. I thought the 2053 users on there was enough. Are you a member of that website DS3?

 

How long have you been off the drug?

 

Things have slowly gotten worse for me. I have had periods where i thought i was getting better and this ordeal would be over but i end up just crashing again and the worsening trend continues.

 

Hi,

 

Just been off fin for only 3-4 months though....so still have a slight glimmer of hope really.

 

Warm Regards,

 

DS

[DS3]

Although I do not want to discredit the ongoing suffering of any hair loss sufferers, I did want to share a few links to add a slightly different perspective to this thread:

 

1. Concerned About Sexual Side Effects from Propecia? Read this Recent Study.

 

2. Potential Results from Propecia Usage.

 

Hi,

 

Am not disputing the hair gain that happens with fin. I too got great results when i was younger around 23 to 28. And even now around 30 when i was taking i got decently good results. In fact my photo in the forum is at the time when i was actively taking fin. However when you let go of it you lose a lot of hair and really the side effects of libido loss, general sluggishness and exorbitant weight gain are not really worth it in my opinion.

 

 

Warm Regards,

 

DS

 

And one more thing.....that Jap study must be rigged like the ones done by the pharma cos. If it was not then they would have protested with more vigour.