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Read This if You Use or Might Use Finasteride or Minoxidil


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  • Senior Member

I would like opinions from others concerning finasteride and minoxidil. I've been using minodixil since 2007 and finasteride since November 2009. I am in very good health and have always had from what I gather talking with others an above average libido especially for my age. Around the time I started using minoxidil I noticed my erections were not as hard. They were still there but just of a lesser quality. I also noticed that it was more difficult to climax sometimes. I just figured it was ageing and never thought much more about it. Then I started on finasteride. In the last couple of weeks I've freaked out because there have been times when I've been aroused and there is no reaction downstairs and that was a bizarre unknown feeling for me. I immediately got on the internet and started researching this and found some interesting information which appears to be from credible sources. We all know the potential side effects from finasteride but I'm also finding out that minoxidil, yes minoxidil can cause ED and loss of libido and the manufacturer even lists this as a possible side effect.

 

Here is my question. These side effects have scared me to the point where I want to stop both finasteride and minoxidil. I was a NW 5 with a strip of native hair across the top of my head and the rest was bald before my hair transplant. I will be 49 in three months so my balding pattern is well established. The hair transplanted is genetically immune to the effects of DHT and will not fall out so what is the purpose for me to be using these drugs with the side effects they have if the transplanted hair isn't going to fall out without these drugs anyway? My understanding is we need DHT for erections, libido and other things. To reduce DHT to a low level upsets the balance causing sexual dysfunction in some of us. I know I will probably receive responses from guys saying they've been on it for years and have no negative effects but we all respond to medications differently. Medicine is not 'one size fits all'.

 

If it is recommended that I stay on finasteride for some reason would it be acceptable to take 1.25 mg every other day instead of the 1 mg daily I'm taking now? Perhaps a 'drug holiday' would keep the DHT level down so it wouldn't adversely affect my hair but also keep it high enough on the off days to maintain libido and erections. I also found it interesting that currently there are trials underway to test the effectiveness of supplemental DHT to increase libido! http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00163566

 

Did you know that there is a medical condition where some boys are born with the lack of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase which is what turns testosterone into DHT? Finasteride lowers or eliminates DHT by inhibiting 5 alpha reductase. The results of reduced DHT in boys is not pretty. Its responsibility lies in all of the male secondary sexual characteristics such as deepening of the vocal chords, male hair patterns on the body, hair on the face, oily skin (especially when you first hit puberty and your natural test is raging), and last but definitely not least, male sexual drive and function.

DHT means hardening of the physique, lack of water retention, favorable fat-loss, increased sex drive, and increased strength gain.

 

 

If you aren't already aware of the information I've posted below you may find interesting. Notice the part about testing your DHT level. I would think it would need to be checked on the scalp and not in the blood. Reduction of DHT can also cause gynocomastia. Great! I'll have a full head of hair and have hairy hooters, with no libido or chance or an erection.

 

 

DHT also has many beneficial functions. Indeed it is through DHT that many of testosterones positive effects are mediated. DHT helps maintain:

 

Secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. body/facial hair growth) (59) Libido (60) Erectile capability (61)

 

Again, the concept of hormonal balance is paramount. Maintaining a healthy ratio of testosterone to DHT is the objective (ideally about 10:1) (62).

One can then receive DHT's benefits without suffering from its disadvantages

 

Androbalance kits can help you determine your personal DHT levels; particularly important for men using Propecia/Proscar to reduce DHT and thereby combat male pattern baldness (MPB) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

 

Excessive DHT reduction can cause side effects such as impotence (63,64) and gynocomastia (30,63), whilst insufficient reduction won't allow the full therapeutic benefits of the drug(s) to be realised. Only by measuring DHT levels will you know what effect your prescribed dosage is having on your own hormonal profile.

 

In view of DHT's effects on sexual functioning (61) this analyte may also be a useful kit addition for men suffering from erectile or libido difficulties.

 

 

This transformation serves a very important biological function in these tissues. You see, DHT is a much stronger androgen than testosterone ??“ it binds about 3-5 times more strongly to the androgen receptor. If you took away 5-AR from these tissues and blocked the formation of DHT, then you would see some dramatic changes in physiology.

 

A good case in point is demonstrated in male pseudohermaphroditism due to congenital 5-AR deficiency. This is a relatively rare disorder, however it is actually quite common in the Dominican Republic. In this disorder, males are born with little or no 5-AR enzyme. They have ambiguous genitalia and are often raised as girls. When puberty occurs, their testosterone levels elevate normally although their DHT levels remain very low. Their musculature develops normally like that of other adults, however, they end up with little or no pubic / body hair and underdeveloped prostate and penis. Their libido and sexual function is often disrupted also.

 

DHT is still very important for the full performance enhancement effects from testosterone. What I specifically mean here are the effects of DHT on the central nervous system, which lead to increased neurological efficiency (strength), and increased resistance to psychological and physical stress - not to mention optimal sexual function and libido.

NW5

Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007

2520 grafts

471 one hair grafts

1540 two hair grafts

505 three hair grafts

5070 Total hair count

 

Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008

2384 grafts

870 one hair grafts

1150 two hair grafts

364 three and four hair grafts

4262 Total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009

1896 grafts

760 one hair grafts

852 two hair grafts

288 three hair grafts

46 four hair grafts

3362 total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011

1191 grafts

447 one hair grafts

580 two hair grafts

150 three hair grafts

14 four hair grafts

2113 total hair count

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  • Senior Member

Bill,

 

I appreciate your function as the moderator of this forum and praise the job you do. I've learned so much from this site and it has helped me through some very difficult times. I'd like to make an observation concerning posts. I understand there are categories for various subjects and if a post pertains to a certain category it should be assigned to that area. However, we all know which category receives the most attention (just look at the numbers) and that is 'Hair Restoration Questions and Answers'. I posted a 'question' last night and woke up this morning expecting at least a couple of answers and there was nothing. I soon realized my question had been moved to 'Hair Loss Drugs' which explained why I had no answer because that category doesn't have nearly the viewers that the other category does.

 

Would it be possible (I know you've done this before) to leave a question like the one I posted above in the 'Hair Restoration Question and Answers' category for at least a couple of days allowing it more visibility and then make a post that in two days this post will be moved to another category? I think this would serve everyone better. It would allow for my post to be viewed more frequently, allow others to see a question they might otherwise not have seen because they won't or don't go to other categories and allow the forum to keep the site in order by categorizing material. Thanks for your consideration.

NW5

Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007

2520 grafts

471 one hair grafts

1540 two hair grafts

505 three hair grafts

5070 Total hair count

 

Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008

2384 grafts

870 one hair grafts

1150 two hair grafts

364 three and four hair grafts

4262 Total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009

1896 grafts

760 one hair grafts

852 two hair grafts

288 three hair grafts

46 four hair grafts

3362 total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011

1191 grafts

447 one hair grafts

580 two hair grafts

150 three hair grafts

14 four hair grafts

2113 total hair count

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  • Senior Member

Been using Propecia (2 year mark this summer) - I have the same amount of hair as I did when I started it, my individual hair strands are thicker but recently I have noticed my bald spot on my crown expand - other than that its perfect for my mid and front. No side effects whatsoever.

 

Started Rogaine a week ago to combat the expanding bald spot, no side effects yet and I am very optimistic,

 

I am 20 (nice age to have a bald spot ain't it)

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  • Senior Member

Are there any doctors out there who can address any of my questions and concerns?

NW5

Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007

2520 grafts

471 one hair grafts

1540 two hair grafts

505 three hair grafts

5070 Total hair count

 

Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008

2384 grafts

870 one hair grafts

1150 two hair grafts

364 three and four hair grafts

4262 Total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009

1896 grafts

760 one hair grafts

852 two hair grafts

288 three hair grafts

46 four hair grafts

3362 total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011

1191 grafts

447 one hair grafts

580 two hair grafts

150 three hair grafts

14 four hair grafts

2113 total hair count

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  • 10 months later...
  • Senior Member
what is the purpose for me to be using these drugs with the side effects they have if the transplanted hair isn't going to fall out without these drugs anyway?

 

The transplanted hair won't likely fall out, but what about the hair around it? Are you positive your balding has 100% finalized? Is the transplanted hair from your 3 procedures enough to cover your head (could you post a pic)?

Jan 2000 - 600 FUT with Dr Kurgis (MHR)

Sept 2011 - 1411 FUT with Dr Paul Shapiro

Jan 2013 - 1800 FUT with Dr Paul Shapiro

Sep 2014 - 1000 FUE with Dr Paul Shapiro

 

My Hairloss Blog »

__________________

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  • 1 year later...

Thank you for posting about these side effects. I had been using generic minoxidil for about 6 months with no problem. When I went to buy more last time, they did not have the drops, only the foam. After using the foam for a couple of weeks, I had erectile distinction for the first time. I immediately thought about what I am doing or taking that is new or different, and I thought of the minoxidil foam. I did a google search and found your forum. I immediately quit the minoxidil my erections returned to normal in a few days. I am certain the minoxidil was the problem. The symptoms started almost immediately when i began the foam. At first, it was with maintaining an erection and partial erections and quickly turned into no erections. I had never had a problem with this at all. The way it began right after starting the foam and then returned to normal again so quickly after stopping makes me feel certain that the culprit was the minoxidil. I hate to think what could have happened had I used this stuff for a longer period of time.

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  • 4 years later...

I started minoxidil early May, began exeriencing loss of spontaneous erections and libido after one week, thought nothing of it. By the second week things got progressively worse, i googled "minoxidil and erectile dysfunction", found lots of guys that had exactly the same problem. I quit minoxidil immediately, didn't get better, been on daily Cialis most of the time since then (4 months) . Every time I quit Cialis I'm back at square one: very weak erections, let's say 50% of strength than before minoxidil. What's worrying me is I'm still looking for a story of recovery from this condition. DesperatelyNeedsAdvice writes he's still not recovered at the 1 year mark.

As for possible mechanisms for this effect, google "minoxidil and androgen receptor" or "minoxidil and nitric oxide". It's clear that this side effect hits a small percentage of users, but it's definitely a side effect of the drug, the temporal correlation for me is clear. And there are a lot of similar stories on the forums.

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  • 1 year later...

I quit Minoxidil 5% liquid 2 1/2 months ago and am still experiencing sexual side effects. I can get 100% erect but my genitals are completely numb and i get a strong pulsating feeling in my testicles and prostate. Watery ejaculate and zero libido still persist as well. I wonder if this will ever go away. I also have high BP and tachycardia, swollen thyroid, dull aches in my intestines and other problems. I've visited plenty of doctors some of whom are aware of this issue. They believe it should go away within approximately 6 months but this has not been the case for some of the affected here and others I've contacted.

BTW,  Minoxidil was recently proven to be an antiandrogen. New research suggests that Minoxidil has the ability to completely destroy the 5ARII and block androgen receptors. It binds to the ARs, decreses their protein stability and transactivation and makes it impossible for DHT to bind to it. It does the same thing as finasteride, but when it gets to the "right" places, it seems to be even more potent. The research even suggests Minoxidil as a drug to treat prostate cancer. These side effects are rare, but absolutely disastrous. I will definitely contact a lawyer about this.

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