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Can Prolonged Use Of Propecia Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

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Posted on Fri, 12 Feb 2016
Question: I was on Propecia 1mg daily for hair loss prevention for 17 years. About 8 years ago, while on Propecia, I started taking Cialis 20mg approx. weekly because of trouble maintaining an erection with a condom on. I just kept taking it for all sexual encounters almost weekly, with or without a condom. It worked very well. On a few occasions when I forgot to take it I had trouble maintaining an erection. I just tried to wean myself off the Cialis and found I'm having trouble maintaining erections during partner sex, when switching positions, etc. (libido is not an issue). I stopped taking Propecia about 2 months ago thinking Propecia might be the long term ED cause but the ED symptoms haven't improved. I want to know how likely it is that Propecia caused my ED symptoms 8 years ago and if so will the ED go away now that I've stopped taking it. I want to know if being on Cialis for so many years has made my body dependent on it. I am very healthy - no high blood pressure, no statin medication, no diabetes, very healthy weight, exercise regularly, non-smoker. I believe stress was not a factor.
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Propecia may be the cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Propecia is known to cause sexual problems. But as far research on this matter is concerned, there is conflicting evidence about the recovery from those side effects.
The consensus, however is that these side effects of propecia disappear with discontinuation of drug.

More pronounced is decreased libido due to propecia, more common than ED.

In your case, your libido is normal.

Since you have no other reason for ED, propecia can be the cause of ED (There are some cases which suggest a delayed recovery from sexual side effects of propecia, as long as 6 months to years).

Cialis does not cause dependence.

So, I would suggest you to continue with cialis. Enjoying the sexual act is important, drug or no drug.

Wait for some more time and your erection should improve.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Can Prolonged Use Of Propecia Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Brief Answer: Propecia may be the cause. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. Propecia is known to cause sexual problems. But as far research on this matter is concerned, there is conflicting evidence about the recovery from those side effects. The consensus, however is that these side effects of propecia disappear with discontinuation of drug. More pronounced is decreased libido due to propecia, more common than ED. In your case, your libido is normal. Since you have no other reason for ED, propecia can be the cause of ED (There are some cases which suggest a delayed recovery from sexual side effects of propecia, as long as 6 months to years). Cialis does not cause dependence. So, I would suggest you to continue with cialis. Enjoying the sexual act is important, drug or no drug. Wait for some more time and your erection should improve. Hope this helps. Thanks.