I just stared using 5% minoxidil about a month ago. I have no good news to report so far regarding hair growth yet, but I have noticed that I am not shedding so much.
However, I have noticed that I am experiencing some sexual side effects, particularly what seems to be erectile disfunction. Is this normal for new users of minoxidil? Will it go away?
It takes a few months to see any results from applying minoxidil, so as far as that aspect of your question, everything seems normal.
However, Pfizer doesn’t list any sexual side effects that result from the use of minoxidil for hair loss. Furthermore, I have not seen any posts on the Hair Restoration Research Forums from posters that are experiencing any similar side effects. This is true concerning all available types of minoxidil: Rogaine Extra Strength Formula, Rogaine Regular Strength Formula, and Rogaine Foam.
Rogaine can, however, cause a rapid heartbeat, which is the closest side effect that I can guess would give you that sort of problem. If you really suspect the Rogaine is at play, then I would highly suggest that you discontinue use and give your physician a call, particularly if you are experiencing a higher heart rate than normal.
Here are the listed side effects from Rogaine’s website:
Stop use and ask a doctor if
* chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, or dizziness occurs
* sudden, unexplained weight gain occurs
* your hands or feet swell
* scalp irritation or redness occurs
* unwanted facial hair growth occurs
* you do not see hair regrowth in 4 months
Robert – Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog
Technorati Tags: minoxidil, hair growth, shedding, Pfizer, Rogaine, regrowth
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He Guys! Any updates so far ?
Hey Guys,
I'm also suffering from the same side effects for one year now, since I stopped using Rogaine after 4 months of use.
I hope that everyone hase recovered! but please keep us updated so we can help each other.
If I see all the guys commenting since 2010 and most of them has not reported how they are doing today then it comes to my mind two things: they just recovered and did't care to update the thread or they just accepted the situation and had no desire to talk about it anymore...
I hope that everbody gets better anyway from this poison
I am also suffering from penile numbness and extremely low libido after using Minoxidil 5% liquid for 40 days. It has been 50 days since quitting and I have hardly had any improvement. My testicles tingle all the time and that keeps me awake at nights.
Impotence/ED is a known side effect of minoxidil in some countries such as Switzerland or the Czech Republic. It is mentioned on the inserts of some brands. It supresses the androgen receptors. Vast majority recover from this, but there have been several cases of people with permanent side effects lasting 2+ years. Altogether, I found about 15 such cases and hundreds of those who did fully recover.
In fact, Minoxidil is very similar to finasteride and recently has been proven to block the 5ARII as well as to suppress androgen receptors. In addition to that, it is an antihypertensive and potassium channel opener (the latter can also harm the androgen receptors activity).
The recovery time is scary - up to 2 years and some seem to never recover. So please stop claiming it is psychological, because it has been proven, reported and is a known some effect.
I am extremely worried now, because I might have ruined my life by this OTC AR antagonist. Chances of recovery are great but noone knows for sure until they are fully recovered. Never use minoxidil, it is extremely dangerous. It needs to be banned. It is outrageous that is an OTC drug, it's like selling steroids or Prozac in the convenience store.
If I don't recover, my life will not be worth living anymore.
Hey admin,
How can i delete my comment on this post can you plz let me know. Thanks in advance.
Dwanye Joe, what comment are you referring to?
Hi steve
How are you doing now?? I hope u are good
ED is still with u or what and sexual drive also
I want to know how I come back to my hard-rock erection and hunger sexual desire after using poison (minoxidil) plz help me guys
Hey Daniel,
Nothing to update about. I have been fully asexual since the day i stopped minoxidil in march 2017. 0 sex drive...like a zombie walking this earth...my life is over....theres really no point in living anymore.....how many lives must be ruined before the medical community establishes a link between minoxidil and these devastating side effects......but in all honesty , im fairly certain that those who experienced unexpected side effects from minox overapplied minoxidil (more than half capful twice daily)....so if that is the case....you can make the claim that any pharmacetical can have bad long term side effects if you exceed the maximum dose.....so i feel like this is my fault as well.....but upon reviewing the drug info....it doesnt even mention sexual side effects for side effects to be expected if too much drug is absorbed in the body!! And im fairly certain many people overapply minoxidil so it seems overall quite rare to suffer long term sexual sides from minox...
Hey steve and daniel, ihv suffered the same problems as you. Can you guys update on if the problems is over now? Please mail me at junkmaildev95 at gmail. I need to talk to you guys please reply.
DC,
I don't know how many people who have commented follow up and view responses. Thus, I recommend joining our free hair restoration forum to post your question. Therefore, hundreds of active hair loss sufferers will view your topic, many of which will respond with their opinion and experiences. I look forward to seeing you on the forums :-).
Bill - Managing Publisher of this community
Hello Steve, do you have any updates so far?
My Story: I have used Rogaine 5% for nearly half a year end experienced extreme ED from 100% to like 0-10%. I decreased it to 2,5% in hope I could still hold on the the success on hair and reduce the side effects because i understimated those effects. I didn't want to lose all my hair and tried to lower the dose step by step for the next 11-12 months. Now I stopped for 10 months but still have the same issues. I should have stopped immidiately....
My hormone and thyroid levels were all right. Reading above gives me atleast hope that my body can somehow recover by itself.
I used minoxidil for about 3 years. it made my erection weak and I lose my erection after 10-20 s. after seeing this forum I am sure that it is due to minoxidil. during using it, I experienced occasional numbness of my penis when I sit in chair. now, I have quitted minoxidil for about 1 month; although the erection is still weak but I did not experience any numbness in my penis after quitting minoxidil. also during the use of minoxidil, the main vains of my penis got wider and thicker. now after quitting it I realize that the veins become narrower. I think that these signs of recovery. I hope so.
anybody have experienced these (numbness of penis and thick veins) during using minoxidil?
If you are experiencing sexual side effects or any unexpected side effects from minoxidil and you live in the USA, please submit an online report through FDA Medwatch- the US pharmacovigilance program. Similarly, if you are living in Canada and experience unexpected side effects (sexual or otherwise), please submit an online report through Health Canada"s online Pharmacovigilance portal. Reporting of side effects is voluntary for doctors and consumers after a drug is marketed. That is why many post marketing side effects are under-reported. Please make sure to complete the reports with as much detail as possible. It is even better if you keep your minoxidil bottles . Your reports will ensure proper regulation of post marketed drugs, not limited to changing in drug labeling, withdrawal of drug from the market, changing of side effect profiles etc. Do the right thing and submit the reports please !!