I’ve Taken Propecia for Years, But Now I’m Afraid

I have been on propecia for 4 years prior to a procedure. The medication was working very well and I was holding on to most of my miniaturized hair until the procedure shocked all of it out and basically voided any benefit and progress that the medication provided me.

Since my terrible experience with this surgery, I have been doing so much research and have come across horrible side effects of propecia that I previously was not aware of…ED, breast enlargement, etc…. This has scared me so bad and is adding to my stress level which I am trying to control. I have not experienced ED up to this point, but not sure about the other…..have you seen these side effects in others and how often?

My question is that do you think (in your general experience) since most of my hair has been lost because of surgery that the propecia is not really necessary now? I just want to get off it and not take any more risks….

So you took Propecia for years (including follow-up visits and prescription renewals) and somehow were never informed of any side effect potential, nor did you even read the insert that comes with the medication? If you have not had any side effects after 4 years, it would be unlikely that you will experience them now or at any time. I believe erectile dysfunction risks are about 1%, libido decrease 1%, breast enlargement much less than 1%. You should be in discussion with your prescribing doctor, not me over the internet.

Just because you had the surgery doesn’t mean Propecia is unnecessary. I don’t know where your surgery was on your scalp, but let’s assume it was done in the hairline and Propecia has kept the crown. Stopping the Propecia would just create a need for further procedures, as the hair that Propecia kept would soon be gone. Obviously this is just an example as I have no idea about your case or history, but if you stop the medication all the benefits disappear within a year.

With regard to the shock loss you experienced following your procedure, this is highly unusual in patients that are taking Propecia. I would have to know more about you, examine you, and understand just what happened and when.