Finasteride and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• JBa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 15, 2020

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I have PFS (Post-Finasteride Syndrome). I cannot sustain an erection during sex, suffer from genital anesthesia and/or numbness, have muted/blocked/pleasureless orgasms when I masturbate, and suffer from brain fog, memory loss, and thinking at times. I have low testosterone, extremely high FSH, and pituitary problems as a result of being on Propecia on and off for years. I’ve been off of Propecia for a year. Although I’ve had shock wave therapy to remove penile scar tissue and improve nerve damage and had testosterone replacement therapy, my sexual functioning and cognitive issues persist. Oh! And I became infertile on Propecia too. Fortunately, I had enough sperm left to have a baby with my wife via IVF. Stay away from this toxic and poisonous medication! It will potentially destroy your life."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Took finasteride 5 months after being diagnosed with BPH, had to give up after never having erection issues, found myself limp with no interest in sex. On the rare occasion I did manage to have sex, there was no semen at all. Have now given up as I feel the cure is worse than the initial diagnosis."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Wow! I never believed the people who got PFS. Now I do, I took just half a pill a week ago. The night I took it, my penis had shrunk a bit, got an intense brain fog (which I still have today), couldn’t get hard (I was basically impotent), and semen was watery. The next day, I lost interest in sex, motivation hit rock bottom, joint pain in legs, and I had extreme anxiety and lots more symptoms. I quit immediately. So... this stuff is dangerous/poisonous for a few! If you want to risk chemical castration, then go for it. After half a pill a week ago, I still have fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, small joint pain, and a lowered sexual interest. Which has gotten better each day after HALF A PILL, A WEEK AGO."

• Dim...
• October 4, 2015

For Androgenetic Alopecia "After taking this product for 13 months, my hair was much stronger and thicker! However, I decided to quit as it has decreased my sex drive and libido. I don't think that hair loss is worth losing sex drive!"

• Dim...
• October 4, 2015

For Androgenetic Alopecia "After taking this product for 13 months, my hair was much stronger and thicker! However, I decided to quit as it has decreased my sex drive and libido. I don't think that hair loss is worth losing sex drive!"

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Started getting dizzy spells after about two weeks. Mild reduction in sex drive that was honestly rather peaceful, but the dizziness made it hard to focus on anything, and I sometimes found it hard to keep my balance when standing. I can't comment on hair effects as I wasn't able to take it long enough. I've stopped for almost two weeks and still get intermittent dizziness. Personally, not going to touch this drug again - the side effects I experienced negatively impacted my quality of life, and I can only hope they fully go away soon."

• Nac...
• June 10, 2019

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I'm using it together with minoxidil and a ketoconazole shampoo. I started the treatment about 6 months ago, and my hair has already grown back to what it used to be 3-4 years ago. If I had started before, I would be the happiest person ever. Before starting the treatment, I was a Norwood 6 (on the Norwood hair loss scale), and it was killing my self-esteem. I had a low libido before starting the treatment. The first month on finasteride, I actually experienced a boost, then receded back to normality. I have a loving relationship with my partner, and he hasn't noticed any change. Personally, I feel that boosting my self-esteem has actually improved my sexual performance. Many people say that one pill ruined their life. That is complete paranoia and scientific nonsense. I also avoided the drug for too long because of people spreading fear and totally regret it. My advice is to start taking the drug as soon as you notice your hair is thinning. This drug mainly stops hair loss. You don't want to start too late."

• jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I have been taking finasteride for now 2 months, and the side effects I have are low sex drive and abnormal ejaculation of semen. I did not get depression or suicidal thoughts like others have mentioned but am gonna wait till 4 months to see if I get any good results. After that, I will just quit this med."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2017

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Was prescribed Propecia upon seeking hair loss counseling at a hair loss clinic. My dosage was set at 1/2 mg a day (age 19-21, now 28). Positive effect: receding crown line reduced. Negatives: significant increase in irregular ejaculation, sex drive, attention, mood, anxiety. Conducted my own research into the drug and quickly ceased taking it. I then experienced further deterioration of sex drive, erection problems, and anxiety, which took approximately 1.5 years to balance back out (with regular exercise and healthy dieting). IMO, this drug is effective for men 45+ whose testosterone levels have naturally decreased, therefore experience fewer side effects. HEALTHY SOLUTION: FUT transplants coupled with blood plasma scalp injections!!"

• Bry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2022

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I started this drug several months ago, 1 mg, 3x a week. I had read all the negative reviews and horror stories, but I took those with a grain of salt and kept an open mind because I had read the same internet horror stories about Chantix a decade ago when I wanted to stop smoking. Yet I decided to try that anyway and had no issues. It helped me stop smoking for good and stay smoke-free to this day. So I figured I’d give this medication the same fair shot. Several weeks into it, dull but persistent testicular pain, increased libido (which was nice), and otherwise fine. Three to four weeks later, I noticed difficulty with reaching orgasm, decreased and watery ejaculate, and mild ED. Six weeks in, I couldn’t have sex at all (never experienced that and I’m still in great shape at 37). Threw in the towel."

• SS1...
• November 8, 2015

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Taking it for three months now. Hair loss stopped about 90%. Yes, there are some side effects. Morning wood is a story of the past. But can get erections, not as quick as before, but can get easily. May be a little loss of libido. One thing I noticed is the amount of ejaculation has gone down rapidly. My doctor said it will be back to normal if I leave it for 3 months. Fingers crossed for that. Hopefully, it helps."

• Anonymous
• August 22, 2020

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I'm taking finasteride for at least 2 years, and I never had erection problems or low libido. I can urinate better. I used to have wide openings in the scalp, and now it's like the Amazon forest, but I also use a Capillus hat... Hope this helped..."

• CJa...
• July 29, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I am surprised by the ratings for this medication. I am 25 and have been on 1 mg of finasteride for about 5 years now. Simply put, the medication works. As far as the whole worry about sexual side effects, I have absolutely no idea if that is being stated by the manufacturer for liability reasons, etc. Tbh, I do suffer from several mental illnesses, and I am being treated. To say this was triggered by finasteride, I would not believe it. Actually, when I was losing my hair, the issue was making it worse. I use minoxidil too. I also use dutasteride off-label for 3 years now."

• Do...
• June 21, 2019

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Took 1 mg finasteride/Propecia for about 9 months. While on the drug, I had no side effects until about 7 months in. Reduced dosage, and sexual side effects continued. Discontinued, and that's when problems got worse... no libido and complete impotence. This is 5 weeks having come off the drug. Do not use!"

• Do...
• June 21, 2019

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Took 1 mg finasteride/Propecia for about 9 months. While on the drug, I had no side effects until about 7 months in. Reduced dosage, and sexual side effects continued. Discontinued, and that's when problems got worse... no libido and complete impotence. This is 5 weeks having come off the drug. Do not use!"

• spe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 14, 2023

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I can't believe all these negative reviews. After taking 1 mg of finasteride per day for a year, I have definitely seen a comeback in the hairline at the front of my scalp. No negative sexual side effects, no decreased libido, no depression, and no decrease in sleep. It seems like those with horror stories may be in the minority. All I can say is: it worked for me."

• spe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 14, 2023

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I can't believe all these negative reviews. After taking 1 mg of finasteride per day for a year, I have definitely seen a comeback in the hairline at the front of my scalp. No negative sexual side effects, no decreased libido, no depression, and no decrease in sleep. It seems like those with horror stories may be in the minority. All I can say is: it worked for me."

• vir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 20, 2016

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Destroyed my life. Took for 10 years for hair loss. Permanent E.D., zero libido (under any circumstances), Viagra and the others have zero effect. Thought I was just getting older, realized a decade later. Some MDs use this to feminize transsexuals. Do not take it if you ever hope to have a sex life again."

• Mik...
• September 21, 2018

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Listen, I took this stuff for one month, and it was the worst decision of my life. The people are not lying. I ignored all the negative reviews and figured I'd give it a chance because, hey, who listens to what people say online, right? Taking finasteride was a horrible mistake. I completely lost 100% of my sex drive and ability to get an erection. (Not so fun when you're in a relationship.) Thankfully, I caught this early and had only been using it for a few weeks, so my sex drive and ability to get an erection came back a little (after I stopped taking it), but I still feel it will never be the same as it was before. Also, my skin broke out in a rash all over, including my penis. I freaked out, had no idea what all this was coming from, then I put everything together. My penis also just looked weird and more vascular than usual. In conclusion, this stuff is horrible. If you like sex, trust me... do not, I repeat, do not take this stuff."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2019

For Androgenetic Alopecia "PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. I read all the negative reviews and thought to myself that they must be in that few percentile of unlucky people, but I was so damn wrong, man. If you take this drug, you will be doomed anyway because if you get off this drug after a few years or months, then you will have Post Finasteride Syndrome. It blocks DHT, which is the hormone that makes a man a man. Please read about DHT on Wikipedia before jumping on this drug. They say, oh, it only blocks around 70% of DHT levels, but come on, guys. Is hair more important to you than losing your sex drive and erections? I was on the pill for 24 days. The initial 10 days were awesome, with almost no hair loss and my sex drive really good, but then the shedding started, where I started to lose hundreds of hairs in the shower and on my pillow, and then I noticed I didn't have the urge for sex, nor was I interested in girls. Then came headache and then muscle pain."

• SG1...
• April 10, 2017

For Androgenetic Alopecia "29 now, started losing my mane since 22 and now have lost most of my crown area with a receding frontal hairline. Upon doctor recommendation and going by the positive effects regarding hair growth which I have read and heard, I took the chance and started taking 1 mg finasteride back on 1st April 2017; just been 10 days to be exact and started noticing a lack of sex drive, poor erection from the 2nd day onwards. This has to be the most anti-erection drug a man can have. I would suggest everyone to NEVER ever opt for this if you value your masculine traits. I am going to stop it now and will never take the same again ever. Already scheduled for a Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) HT next week. Hence, either opt for minoxidil only treatment or transplant, but refrain from this."

• Try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2018

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Took finasteride for only 4 days and experienced testicular pain that was unacceptable. Morning wood gone after 2 days and 70% decreased libido. Been a week since I quit now, and I still have got an ache in my testicles and lower stomach area, still waiting for it to get better. This drug is extremely potent if you ask me, be careful. I will not be taking this again."

• fen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2022

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Totally crashed my sex drive... my libido was down to 0!!! I even had issues masturbating, I was useless in bed!! My marriage is also a question, 'cause I clearly don't get aroused on the best of days!! The medicine has had a very bad impact on me...!! :( It's been 4 years since I STOPPED!! But it literally got rid of my self-confidence, it has got rid of sexual urges... IT DESTROYED ME!!! I took this because a doctor prescribed it for me for my hair loss!! I would rather be bald THAN have a tool that doesn't work!! I don't know who is reading this... but my advice - 'AVOID'"

• ttr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2015

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I am a female and was just prescribed finasteride as I am losing all of my hair due to alopecia, which was just diagnosed after a biopsy of my scalp. My doctor said this will help me keep the hair I do have. Being a woman, this is so hard on my self-esteem... I have the med but am scared to take it, as I have reactions to so many medications, as well as bad side effects. Can anyone share if they've had any side effects besides the sexual dysfunction part of it? Thank you in advance. I am 41, by the way."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Did not have a visible effect at slowing down the progression of hair loss over and above Minoxidil + Nizoral for my particular situation. Tapered off finasteride, and libido noticeably increased. Side effects noticed while taking finasteride: - Brain fog. - Noticeable impaired judgment. - Reduced libido (though wasn't noticeable until I stopped taking it). Just gone back to Minoxidil + Nizoral combination and will probably just shave off hair once hair loss has progressed to be severe enough."