Ok, here's the deal. I'm 20 years old. I took propecia for 3.5 months, and stopped due to side effects, namely ed and extremely watery semen. Sexual side effects weren't worth it for me. I got off it in early January. Everything cleared up in a week after stopping. So I tried rogaine foam about a 3 weeks after quitting propecia. About 4 days in I started getting ed. I wasn't sure what it was from, and I feared that it was lingering effects from the propecia. But I stopped taking the rogaine and 2 days later everything was fine. I did notice that literally five-ten minutes after applying the rogaine (the correct half a capful, no more mind you) my tool would shrink in its flaccid state. Like it would literally shrivel up. So decided to lay off the minoxidil for a while. Then 2 months later, decided that since everything was functioning fine that I should try the minoxidil again. ED was not even a listed side effect, so I convinced myself it must have been the propecia. The first week of the minoxidil I got EXTREMELY aroused. I had to masturbate twice a day. This seemingly proved to myself that the minoxidil was fine. Then, everything came crashing down, and I started experiencing ED again. I took the rogaine foam for 3 more weeks (4 total) and then quit because the ED was getting ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a college student when with a girl. I figured whatever, I'll go bald, but I'm not going to lose my sexual function at the age of 20. There's been just one problem. A MONTH after stopping the rogaine and I am STILL experiencing ED. My libido was slightly lower when on rogaine and has recovered, but my ability to get it up has NOT. I'll see a girl or watch a sexually arousing video and will think "o man, that girls hot" like I normally would, but there is no action downstairs. I'm not saying I want a raging hard-on like when I was in middle school, but while not on rogaine I would have some connection down there.
Does anyone know what rogaine could possibly have done to me? I know it utilizes nitric oxide an important aspect of erections and ejaculation. Could this be cause?
I doubt my testosterone is low since I have my normal libido, but could my estrogen possibly be high now? I have gained some belly fat. I didn't think rogaine could effect hormones, but how is the massive increase in libido explained during the first week of rogaine?
I'm going to see a urologist in a week, but if anyone else has experienced any of these effects or has any advice it would be greatly appreciated!!
Of course I'm too young to have ED! Why do you think it concerns me so much??? And please no more responses, "It's probably just in your head." I KNOW what my sexual function and general feeling of my tool was before the rogaine and it certainly has been diminished significantly. I should add that at times in the flaccid state, it feels cold and numb (as if there is not enough blood flow to it).
How can you be certain that its rogaine? Have you seen the doctor about it and done test. I have been on rogaine foam for over 6 months and have not had one issue with ED.
Posts: 32 | Location: PA | Registered: May 06, 2009
I would guess that it's a hangover from the effects of the finasteride and your body still hasn't normalised, simply because some people take a while/never fully recover, and it is more known for causing ED than Rogaine it.
But everyone is different, it could be the Rogaine.
Hey man I would just like to let you know I am having the exact same symptoms. However, I have yet to try propecia. So I am now thinking what I/we are experiencing is defiantly due to the rogaine.
My time line is different though. I was on rogaine for roughly 3 months before stopping 6 months ago due to lazyness. During those 3 months I did experience minor ED, it basically took much longer to achieve decent hardness but I never put the two together. But, everything went back to normal after I stopped using it. About 2 months ago I again started applying rogaine twice a day to my hairline and crown. And just like you for the week my labido was a monster, sex twice a day with the girlfiend along with major urges to masturbate had me thinking this stuff was f-ing amazing. (The rogaine was the only thing I had added to my life so it had to be the reason for the spike, my girlfriend isn't that attractive.) However after that first week everything came crashing down. Basically I can not get wood for the life of me. Forgive me for being graphic but If I masturbate long enough I can still ejaculate, but I never get hard. I have continued taking it for for roughly 3-4 weeks since the symptoms first arose, hoping that my body is just adjusting to the chemical. However that has not happened and I am becoming concerned.
I'm 27 and other then my narcissism associate with my hairloss I am in perfect health, I run, lift, nearly everyday I should not be having these problems. Tonight I am ceasing my rogaine use and if things don't get better in a week or two I'm going to go to a urologist.
One thing is interesting though. I wonder if experiences are tied to the fact we both started stopped and started using rogaine again.
Anyway please let me know what the urologist tells you/ or has told you about your condition.
For a start, very sorry to hear that you've been having problems, it's not exactly what you need on top of losing hair!
Minoxidil should not affect hormone levels as it is a)topical and b)not targeted at DHT like Finasteride
However, something is obviously having an effect, and I'm not going to tell you both it's all in your head, it could be, but that doesn't mean you should rule out looking for a way to stop it in case it isn't!
I don't actually use Rogaine Foam, so I have no idea what's in it, but could it be something else apart from Minoxdil having an effect? You could try searching the ingredients, see if any of them have hormonal effects, bearing in mind the internet is full of morons so don't take anything at face value, if it's suggested, look further into it.
If you don't get any joy there, take the ingredients to either a urologist or even just a GP, and ask the question (quite embarrassing I know)
And please if either of you get an answer, come back and share, some of the guys on here put a great amount of effort into data collecting for us all to use, and the input would be valuable.
I have been using rogaine for quite a few years without any noticeable side effects - then I began increasing my dosage of rogaine foam to 2+ times a day and noticed the same sexual side effects you mentioned. I was so confused as to what was causing it at first, then stopped using rogaine for a week and the side effects went away. I'm back on rogaine in the meantime because I'm afraid all of my hair will fall out but am anxious to get off this stuff ASAP.
What did you end up finding out? Please share your experience!
Thanks.
quote:
Originally posted by Norcal: I knew this was pointless. But just so you know, I'm not the only one complaining about sexual side effects from rogaine...
