Can anyone post ACCURATE info on Propecia and its REAL side-effects?

[kenz9]

I know you've been asked this about a million times but I'm looking for some pure, conclusive information on this issue.

 

I'm about at a Norwood III-IV and although the Sly look might be for some, I kind of like a tiny bit of stubble up there, and I know that although I won't regrow my hair with Propecia it will save what's left (or so it says).'

 

My question is, I've spent hours reading online and it's always 50/50 about whether it does or does not have side effects. The worst I've read is it causes permanent impotence which scares the crap out of me!

 

So I come here, and ask you, what is the current conclusive evidence for taking this drug? Please post your most honest answers, whether or not you're for it or against it.

 

Thank you so much for your help guys!

[TakingThePlunge]

kenz9,

 

It sounds as if you already know quite a lot about Propecia but what you are looking for is some reassurance that you will not experience side effects. Unfortunately, no honest person will be able to say that. Using this forum's search feature you will find dozens of user experiences. Some have used Propecia for years with no side effects whatsoever and others had to quite almost immediately due to sexual dysfunction.

 

I can tell you my experience. I used it for a couple of years and experienced what I would consider very mild sexual side effects. They were so mild that I had not seriously considered stopping the drug. Ultimately I quit for other reasons.

 

The appearance of side effects and their severity will depend of the physiology of the patient. The only way to know how you'll be affected is to try the drug.

[TommyLucchese]

I've had no sides in 3 years of using the drug, my hair has improved a hell of a lot though

 

You could be like me, or you could be mild like David, or you could have severe effects like some people report. There's no way of knowing until you try...

[antony]

Hello Kenz. As i have mentioned on other threads my experience with propecia has been great up until a few months ago. It has worked very well in maintaining what i have and really thickened it up. I have not had any problem at all in the sexual side effects department, but unfortunately for me i have developed gynocomastia (enlargement of the breasts), which is a stated side effect of this medication. I have very reluctantly stopped using it, but am still on minox, so hoping that it will pick up the slack.

Edited March 8, 2013 by antony

[hairz]

Hello Kenz. As i have mentioned on other threads my experience with propecia has been great up until a few months ago. It has worked very well in maintaining what i have and really thickened it up. I have not had any problem at all in the sexual side effects department, but unfortunately for me i have developed gynocomania (enlargement of the breasts), which is a stated side effect of this medication. I have very reluctantly stopped using it, but am still on minox, so hoping that it will pick up the slack.

 

Have you tried lowering the dose? (I was told to try this for gynocomania side effect)

[Bobilero]

Was on it with only mild sides for nearly 4 years before larger side effects came on. It did work at maintaining some (but not all) hair. No regrowth.

 

Will never go near it again due to the difference i felt in myself after dropping it. And the myriad of issues now being discovered related to it.

[Stublue]

I was on generic finasteride for 12 months and as far as i could tell it did help maintain what I had. Having said that my hair loss is very slow so not sure if it really made much of an impact or not. I was also using minoxidil (and still do). Since quitting i havent noticed any new loss of note.

 

With regards sides, I suffered very mild effects. Basically my libido reduced. In all honesty I didnt even notice the reduction at first but soon realised that I had very little interest in pulling on nights out (and that's not right!!!). I have been off it for around 5 months now and while things have improved im not quite back to where I was before I started it. I have read it can take up to a year for the full libido to return. I actually have morning glories again though, which definitely stopped when I was on the drug! I suppose i just dont really like the idea of putting man made chemicals in my body (I study nutrition).

 

I have actually just started taking Keratene Active Retard as an alternative. The ingredients are all natural and it claims not to have hormonal side effects. The proof is in the results though so I will monitor closely.

 

Thats my 2 cents anyway.

[antony]

Hairz, no i have not tried to adjust the dose, stopped it completely. I have read even small doses can still cause hormonal changes so i have elected to not take it. For me i guess i would rather lose my hair than have some hair and breasts too, which right now i may have to have surgery to fix.

[hairz]

Hairz, no i have not tried to adjust the dose, stopped it completely. I have read even small doses can still cause hormonal changes so i have elected to not take it. For me i guess i would rather lose my hair than have some hair and breasts too, which right now i may have to have surgery to fix.

 

I had the same problem as you so I stopped taking it and the gynocomania went away on its own. I was talking it over with a doctor and he said I should try a lower dose.

[antony]

Its encouraging to know that it may go away on its own, thanks Hairz, keeping my fingers crossed.

[HARIRI]

1) Loss of Libido

2) Fatigue

3) Brain Fog

3) Little pain in the testicles

4) Weaker erections and sometimes cases of ED after a period of time

 

The last one killed me and made me quit it for real as I was known with very high libido and solid woody erections. I could not look at myself in this situation and it was very very embarrassing moment to me. Many guys I know who pretend that they do not face this side are taking sexual boosters like Viagra, Cialis and some take Ginseng Complex.

[antony]

Since i started researching i am finding some horror stories from people who have had the sides from this drug. Thanks Hariri.