Give Me Hope for My Propecia Weakened Erection

I am 27 years old and I write regarding a side effect of propecia which is making me extremely nervous — to the point that I haven’t been able to sleep for many nights, and have been surfing the internet in search for answers and hope leading me to your site).

I took propecia for about four weeks, and at the fourth week mark, I noticed that my erection was significantly weaker. Because I am only 27, this was very odd — it had never happened before. I apologize for being graphic, but by weaker, I mean that the erection was only “half way” and “half full” and it was noticeably smaller, even though I was still able to ejaculate. The experience was not that pleasurable. Moreover, even when I am walking around on a daily basis, my penis “feels” smaller. One month later, the problem is just as bad.

I read online that a small percentage of men can suffer permanent, irreversible ED from propecia. I have already set up an appointment with a urologist, but suppose the worst happens and I am in that 1% group. Then, what could the urologist even do? And, what could I even do? Will I need to take Viagra the rest of my life?

This wouldn’t be as big of a deal if I were 50, but because I am only 27, I’m so, so worried that the rest of my life will be worse. I am being serious here: How can I ever be happy if I cannot perform sexually anymore? How can I even have a girlfriend or get married to someone or have a fulfilling life? Of course, if I had to take Viagra the rest of my life, I guess that wouldn’t be as bad as never again experiencing a full erection — but will Viagra even work for me?

Again, I know that you will advise me to see a doctor, and I will. Until my next appointment, though, I just need some hope. Besides, through your site, you probably have more knowledge and information about this problem than the urologist I will see.

Please, please help. I feel like my happiness in life is on the line.

You need to make an appointment with the doctor who prescribed you Propecia and discuss these issues with him/her. I suppose the appointment you made with the urologist may help too. I may be a doctor, but I am not your doctor and can’t give specific medical advice. I simply don’t know any of your medical history. There’s absolutely know way for me to know if you need to take Viagra for the rest of your life or if it would work for you.

In general, patients who have erectile dysfunction (ED) issues with Propecia can stop the medication and have the side effects go away within a week. That is the norm. I am not sure of reports that reflect permanent ED in men from Propecia, so there is hope in that regard. According to data in the medical literature, sexual side effects are not permanent in the less than 2% of men that experience them.