What Can I Do About Testicular Pain From Propecia?

Hello Dr. Rassman,

First, I just want to state that I have been a follower of your blog for years. I am a fan of your work.

I have a question for you in regards to Propecia. Five years ago, I bought Propecia online. I started to take it once a day, and I suffered from enormous pains in my left testicle. After a few weeks, I stopped taking the drug. I bought this online without a prescription. Guys, do not buy your drugs online without a prescription!

This pain has lingered for a long time. I went to my family physician, and he prescribed me Proscar cut into quarters. I have been taking this for two years and it has halted my hair loss. I am very thin on my head, kind of like your SMP patients once they have completed the procedure. I clip my hair very short and it does not look bad.

However, I still have this pain in my left testicle. Now it hurts in my bladder area. I have taken 12 prescriptions, have been treated for epidydimitis, etc. I have done scrotal, rectal, kidney ultrasounds as well as a CT scan on that area. The specialists have found nothing wrong with me.

However, I still have pain, so here is my question: I know left testicle pain is a side effect of Propecia. Do you know what else I could do to track down this pain? I stopped the Propecia for two weeks and I still had the pain. So either way I have pain, I might as well keep taking it. I feel a throbbing pain in my left testicle and it burns.

If you could give me any advice I would appreciate it! Thanks.

You are reporting a urological problem, so finding a good urologist is critically important as your source of information. Although testicular pain has been reported with the use of finasteride, one should rule out (as you have done with your GP and the above tests) the presence of other conditions that cause testicular pain.

Of course you should discuss changes in your medication with your prescribing doctor… but in general, stopping the drug is a good first step. The stoppage should not cause catch-up hair loss for 2 months or so. So in another month you will know the relationship between your pain and the drug once it is stopped.