I'm sure the 2% Merck alledges to be the population affected by a decrease in libido (or side effects) from Propecia is larger than that. Most guys see the 2% as a fixed rule and just say "I never thought I would fall into that 2%". If Merck discloses the real percentage, say 25%, they would never sell the product. I also believe there is a psychological effect to it as Dr. Rose described with the placebo tests. I talked to some men during my research for a HT (maybe 30 to 40)who were on Propecia and at least half of them told me they stopped taking it because of their loss of libido.

Hi all

I have been a regular reader on and this forum and it gave me a lot of no-bs information to decide alternatives to treat my baldness. FYI, I am 24, diffuse thinning all over crown and front and headed for N6, maybe in 10-15 yrs.

Went to Bernstein/Badamo in NHI and first off, let me say that they did seem much nicer than other HT docs I have met. They prescribed me Propecia and I have been on it for 2 weeks now. I have definitely noticed (a) increased shedding, maybe due to finesteride "shock". (b) loss of erectile function and libido. I don't know about others, but this is enough for me to say bye-bye to the drug!! I don't care if I am stone bald, I dont want to lose the very thing which makes a guy a guy!

So as of now, I have decided to go off it. Lets hope the "good wood" returns! The only thing I am using now is Toppik. Works to hide my baldness until I am ready for an HT. My advice to people thinking of Propecia -- this shit is strong and I don't think Merck or anybody really knows/publicizes the full extent of side effects. 5AR, the enzyme which is blocked by Finesteride, is used by the body in a number of other chemical reactions and DHT is not simply a baldness agent but has several other functions. I just dont think we know body chemistry well enough to say Propecia is safe. For those of you that it works, more power to you. I think an HT is a more "natural" thing than this crap.

You should be discussing this with your doctor. There are ways of working around the side effects, by moderating the dose amounts or schedules.

I recommend you bring this up with Dr. Bernstein.

I too had an decrease in libido and erection frequency when I started taking propecia. I dont know if it was chemical or mental. However, I was told to stay with it for a little while and see if the problem went away. It did. After 2-3 monthes all the side effects were gone. I have been on propecia for almost a year now and everything is still normal, maybe even better.