From: BL
Date: 27 May 2000
Time: 14:39:05
Remote Name: spider-wi054.proxy.aol.com
I started taking prop. in December'99. Around 3 months I started noticing a major increase in shedding. I'm talking what was normally 2-4 hairs on a towel after showering was becoming upwards of 50 hairs--just on the towel. Who knows how many went down the drain, on the floor, in the bed, etc. I continued the drug, after doing some research on the net, for another 4 weeks. The shedding never stopped or even slowed down. I went from having no visibal thinning spot on my head to having family members (who knew nothing about me taking propecia)making comments about me "thinning." In addition to the crown area, hair was also falling out all over the top. So, at the 16 week mark, I said "forget it." I stopped using the drug.
Interesting enough, 10 weeks later, those hairs have begun to grow back(which is what I was told they would do from someone on the net). Of course my doctor had no clue (they know only what the drug companies want them to know)about this side effect of prop. I'm glad I stopped because it was driving me crazy and feaking me out. I've never, ever lost my hair at a dramatic rate. I've got a slight receeding hairline and hardly any thinning on top. I've used Rogain 2% and 5% for at least 4 years (depends what's on sale--plus 5% causes my head to itch and flake if used too frequently) and feel that has kept my hairloss to a minimum. I'm 32 and continuing that regime for now because Rogain has no side effects for me.
As far as libido goes, I didn't think anything was that different during the 16 weeks of taking propecia. However, I noticed (but didn't really think about it) that I wasn't waking up w/ hardons in the morning anymore. In the shower (hot shower) my dick was tighter and recessed more, not freely hanging like it usually does. And, I definitely wasn't needing to jerk-off every night (as usual), nor did I crave porno, sex, etc. Again, it wasn't something I really noticed until AFTER I QUIT using propecia. Now, I'm back to major wood in the am and getting horny throughout any given day/night. Thank god. It's now obvious to me that propecia had a major effect on my sex drive, testicles, etc.
All of these emails are saying "give propecia a chance," but I'm thinking as long as I can keep the present hair on my head with Rogain, then why fuck up my sex organ and sex drive for maybe a little thicker hair on my head. The package down below is just as important to me, if not more. I'd love to hear if anyone else noticed these changes in their sexual drive.
BL