Fri 10 Nov 2006
Does Minoxidil for hair loss cause sexual side effects?
Category: Common Questions , Non Surgical Treatments , Rogaine (Minoxidil)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
- Worried about Propecia Side Effects?
- Is Propecia Worth the Risk of Potential Side Effects?
- Propecia Side Effects
- What to do in the Event of Propecia Side Effects
- Can Treating Hair Loss with Propecia (Finasteride) Lead to Permanent Sexual Side Effects?
December 5th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Although not often mentioned, I’m sure it can cause sexual side effects since I exprienced them myself with rogaine.
I was on propecia for about a year when I wanted to add Minox just to see what it would do. About at the same time or a little later I experienced sexual side effects (low libido/weak erections).
Because sexual side effects were never mentioned on sites or in the manual, I did not even consider to think the minoxidil (rogaine) were causing my sexual side effects. After 2 months of using it, it was still the same. Since I was taking propecia for a year I thought the sexual side effects were from the propecia (I read some people develop side effects later on). I was a bit depressed about having to stop propecia, since it helped to restore my hairline quite well ( i was thinning there, not ‘receiding’). But just before I was about to stop the propecia I thought back of the time I started to develop these sexual side effects and the time I began using minoxidil (rogaine). So suddenly I realised that it ‘could’be the reason of my sexual side effects. So before Stopping propecia I wanted to make sure that propecia was actually causing my side effects and not rogaine. So I stopped using rogaine and it took about a week or maybe 2 to notice quite a remarkable comeback of my sexdrive and erections. Now I’ve stopped for about 1.5 month I do not exprience any sexual side effects anymore (still on propecia).
So anyone who is BOTH using propecia and MINOX, make sure you stop the RIGHT one before thinking it has to be propecia which is causing your sexual side effects. I used to think so, but ‘proved’ to myself that it was not the case.
So in the end: use both if you have no side effects (most effective) , but try stopping BOTH for a while if you have sexual side effects, because rogaine CAN cause sexual side effects, no matter what they report. If you look in google like I did and search for “sexual side effects rogaine” you will find quite some people that exprience the same thing
for those who think it’s all in my mind: I did not think it COULD cause sexual side effects, so it was not possible I was imaginging my sexual side effects. I just knew it could happen with propecia, not with minox
December 5th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Just wanted to add:
with propecia they kind of know the process of how propecia kind of ‘works’…(it blocks about 70% of the male hormone DHT which causes hairloss)
But with MINOX, they still don’t really know how it works, so therefore can not really state rogaine ‘CAN NOT’cause side effects, because they openly say they don’t know the way it works, so they CAN not know what kind of side effects it MAY bring.
Most people don’t get sexual side effects from ROGAINE as far as I know, but I wonder how many stopped with propecia cause of the sexual side effects whiel it was coming from MINOX. Like i’ve heard from a guy that said he lost his sexdrive/erections forever from propecia. I wonder if he is still using rogaine. If he is, I wonder if his erectile function and libido will come back after stopping rogaine
A third possibility is that BOTH rogaine and propecia kind of work on the ‘same hormones’ in your body, so that just the combination of BOTH can cause sexual side effects. So maybe stopping with either one will stop you from having sexual side effects. Just a few of my thoughts about this.
January 11th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Just in addition to what Nero has mentioned.Im currently on 12.5% Minoxidil and Azelaic cream(scalp DHT blocker). Prior to the mixodil, I was using Nu hair regrowth supplements (DHT blocker made from natural sources). I have been having weaker erections so I discontinued the Nu hair and carried on with the 12.5% minoxidil and 5% Azelaic acid combination. I still have weak erections, now Im begining to think its the 12.5% minoxidil and 5% Azelaic acid combination.
February 16th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
When I first used propecia, it affected my sex drive right away. I stopped using it and regained my sex drive right away. No doubt it affected me.
Then my doctor recommended giving rogaine a try. I used 5% Minox twice every day. I applied to my vertex (top of head) and also to front of scalp. It did not affect my sex drive. After 4 to 5 months I noticed some hair regrowth. My friends noticed also. However, my sex drive had completely diminished. I couldn’t figure out why at first. Then when I thought of the rogaine and the Minox, I knew it had to be the reason. I stopped taking it completely and within the week I was once again “hard as a rock.”
People say it can all be in your head (psychological), but there’s no way it was. I didn’t even think of the rogaine until days later. So it wasn’t in my head. It was physical. Maybe I was using too much. Maybe not. I kind of regret cutting it out completely. I should’ve just cut back on the amount I used to see how that affected me. I could have applied only once a day and experimented, or apply only a minimal amount.
February 20th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Firstly, I have tried almost everything from saw palmetto at various combinations to finasteride(poscar)at various strenghts and ditasteride, green teas, minoxidil cream at 30%, minoxidile lotion at 7 – 12% with azelaic acid and retinoic acid; lazer combs and clinical programs and yes: even the minoxidil tablet ( lonitin 10mg) for 2 years; shampoos with retinoic acid and saw palmetto; and natural hair growth products: tablets and lotions; cyseine hydrochloride at high dosages; grape seed: yes everything except the new not legally approved hair drug: R something i.e. R224544 (can’t remember). Everything else.
So now to your question> finasteride causes the said problem ( are you taking that? as well?); with respect to minoxidil: a blood dilating drug that loosen the vascular muscles to increase periferal circulation; at higher dosages i.e. 7.5% or 15% esp when in combination with retinoic acid: it can cause a lower blood pressure and that means that the pressure entering your penis is greatly reduced and therefore causing a delayed errection or the mentioned problem you are experiencing. Minoxidil tablets will most certainly cause this esp, once again, if in combination with other treatments like finasteride ( poscar, propecia). Other side effects include a tired looking face and bags and body fuild retention making you look a little out of shape temporily. However, I have never recieved any side effects by the trade name Rogaine 5% because it is a very low dosage and you guessed it: it did nothing for me. I have noticed that when something works so too does the side effects. I have tired over 100 treaments and many more products. Everyone is a little different. About my hair success: had more hair than I wanted but also had a lot of side effects some quite severe. I have had to compromise on the cosmetic aspects in order to maintain healty. Good luck. A healthly balance of the two worlds
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
It happened to me too; this is why browsing the net for some answers I came over this site. I started to feel a decreased level of erection and sexual drive at about 2-3 weeks after I’ve started Minoxidil 5% spray twice a week. It took me another 3-4 weeks to figure out it comes from Minox (after blaming age, girls, old smoking habits etc.). To balance both of them (the hair grow and steel erections) I use Minox only once a day, in the morning. I don’t see any difference now (after one week).
March 7th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
i used propecia from boots 2 years back but soon i had problems with erction den i stopped it but now 3 weeks back i started minoxidil spray , minoxidil does put affects on erection as i just used minoxidil hair spray for 3 weeks , noticably increase on facial hairs plus major affect is no erection or weak erection ….im thinkin to quit it now as sex is more important than hairs , as we can live wothout hairs but cant live without starting family and children , i guess its not necessary for every one as medicine works differently for every one , anywys good luck as i ave decided to quit taking any hair growth medicine now even though result is amazing as i have got good growth in very short time
April 21st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Well, I used Hairgrow 2% a spray solution based n minoxidil and after exactly 2 months I start having some nasty side efects, changing of blood preasure, iregular heart beatings, chest pain, headache. I stopped using it. It was starting do show results but the side effects are very dangerous for the healt. I advice a check up before starting any treatment with minoxidil.
April 24th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Guys… i used minoxidil5% with finasteride for about 5 months. i feel weak erections and decreased drive since a week. VEry annoyed with these products now. Is there a solution to get the sex drive to normal?
April 26th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Dave,
An unfortunate possible side effect of Propecia is sexual dysfunction. I’d recommend talking to a physician who can advise you further. Some physicians have recommended trying to lessen the dosage of finasteride to see if that helps. Sometimes, those who continue taking Propecia will stop experiencing side effects in time. Some however, have to stop taking Propecia for the side effects to go away.
Good luck in deciding what to do,
Bill Seemiller – Managing Publisher of this Community
July 4th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Minoxidil made my face look older with big pores and wrinkles. I have stopped using it three months ago but if anything things are getting worse.
July 15th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Its made my skin haggard
July 24th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Minoxidil made my eyes wrinkly and gave me glogg cheeks. I stopped over 7 years ago and have completely and utterly recovered.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I’m a female of 26 years, and have swollen feet and face after just using it for 1 week. how possible is this? I also have migrane headaches
September 8th, 2010 at 12:40 am
TL,
First, let me preface my response by saying that commentary on this message board in no way reflects medical advice. Additionally, if you are having a reaction like this from the medication, I highly recommend discussing the issue with a personal physician.
Having said that, minoxidil (the active ingredient in rogaine) causes a widening of your blood vessels (vasodialition) which allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach your scalp. However, a side effect of vasodialtion is also increased permeability of your blood vessels (meaning they allow more water to pass from the blood stream and into the surrounding tissues). This fluid collection (commonly known as edema) is what causes the swollen areas.
The headaches could also be a side effect.
Knowing that, I still suggest discussing the issue with a physician (if you do not have a personal doctor or would like to see a hair restoration expert, I invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our recommended physicians: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/). He or she will be able to properly analyze the problem and help create a treatment plan that improves your hair loss while minimizing the negative side effects.
Good luck!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
September 20th, 2010 at 3:18 am
MINOXIDIL (active ingredient in rogaine) does in fact cause sexual side effects.
LET ME EXPLAIN WHY:
Minoxidil is a vascular dilator. During a normal erection, the tunica and base of penis is constricted in a way not to allow blood to flow out. Minoxidil causes blood not to be able to stay in penis because it dilates the base of penis. This results in impotence or temporary erectile dysfunction.
SO YES, MINOXIDIL DOES CAUSE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION.
-Source : I am a Urologist with over 11 years of experience.
October 6th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Can ANYONE please tell me how long it takes after stopping Rogaine to regaine sexual ability? I’ve been off it for 2 months and no changes. Is there anything I can do to regain my erections/sex drive?
October 11th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Frank,
Any sexual side effects from minoxidil (Rogaine) should cease as soon as the drug leaves your system. In my opinion, this shouldn’t take 2 months. Is there a possibility that the sexual issues have, at this point, become a bit of a psychological issue as well? Regardless, I highly suggest making an appointment with your primary care provider and discussing this issue with him/her. Your physician can analyze the situation and suggest the appropriate ‘next step.’ I hope this helps!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
October 21st, 2010 at 10:33 pm
jj if your a urologist, then how do you fix the problem? Stopped rogaine and sexual performance has not come back!!! what should i do?
October 27th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
JJ,
It’s my understanding that ongoing sexual dysfunction after discontinuing these medications can be caused by a variety of issues. From what I can gather, psychological issues or stress (regarding the sexual dysfunction) can actually cause the dysfunction to continue. I highly suggest you consult with a physician, explain the situation, and see what they recommend. I hope this was helpful. Good luck!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
November 5th, 2010 at 7:09 am
Thanks for your help Blake, I felt as though I started to get better but its been 3 months with minimal progress. Seeing a urologist again in two weeks.
JJ, how long have you had these symptoms? And do you just suffer from erectile dysfunction/low libido or premature ejaculation too? The premature ejaculation has been the weirdest symptom for me as I feel like that should have gone away by its own by now. It makes me feel like the chemical is still in my body…
I would pretty much do anything for this to go away. Would any medications to improve blood flow help? l-arginine seemed to help a bit but I think I would need something stronger, i’m desperate enough for pills like extenze and vigrX…
November 16th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
jj(urologist jj) or anyone else qualifAny information regarding regaining sex drive and function after discontinuing use of Minoxidil would be appreciated in ways words can’t describe. I’m nearly a year into using Rogaine 5% – have seen (very) minor improvement in the hair situation but my sex drive and sexual function has suffered terribly – I was starting to think it might just be my age (I’m 50) but I’m an unusually healthy and fit guy – I eat clean and train hard, both aerobically and anaerobically. I used to be able to cut diamonds with my tool but now it rarely gets hard and when it does it’s nowhere near as hard as it used to be. It sounds nuts (no pun intended), but I actually think my junk has shrunk (especially when soft) and it’s genuinely freakin’ me out now. Obviously I won’t be using the Rogaine anymore as of today – my d*** is far more important to me than my bald spot. Please – somebody help!
November 17th, 2010 at 3:11 am
SeriouslyConcerned,
There is no known connection between Rogaine (minoxidil) and erectile dysfunction. However, there are many other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
If you haven’t done so already, I would check with a doctor to determine if there could be another cause for your ED.
Other potential causes (from Wikipedia)
* Neurogenic Disorders
* Hormonal Disorders
* Arterial Disorders
* Venous leak
* Cavernosal Disorders
* Psychological causes: performance anxiety, stress, mental disorders (clinical depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders or traits. psychological problems, negative feelings.
* Surgery (radiation therapy, surgery of the colon, prostate, bladder, or rectum may damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in erection. Prostate and bladder cancer surgery often require removing tissue and nerves surrounding a tumor, which increases the risk for impotence.
* Aging. It is four times higher in men in their 60s than in men in their 40s.
* Kidney failure
* Lifestyle: alcohol and drugs, obesity, cigarette smoking (Incidence of impotence is approximately 85 percent higher in male smokers compared to non-smokers; Smoking is a key cause of erectile dysfunction. Smoking causes impotence because it promotes arterial narrowing.
David (TakingThePlunge)
November 28th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Well guys, after reading all your testimonials in regards to the sexual side effects of minoxidil Im going to tell you that I know exactly what you’re going through.
Its been a little over a year since I quit using Minoxidil 5% and I still have all the sexual side effects. I was on it for about a month. I noticed about 2 weeks into using it that my erections were becoming difficult to maintain and morning erections completely disappeared. I never attributed these things to the minoxidil as I never EVER heard that it could cause such side effects. The only reason I even stopped using it was because I just got lazy and it was burning my scalp (making it red) like crazy.
It wasnt until probably a few weeks off it that I connected my sexual problems to the minoxidil. Before I started using it I NEVER had impotence issues or problems with my libido whatsoever. Its like within a weeks time it just destroyed my libido and sexual functions almost entirely.
I still don’t wake up hard anymore, night time and random erections throughout the day are almost completely gone, and having sex is very difficult (erections are weak, and when I do get hard its only about 70% as hard as I used to be able to get pre-minoxidil days).
This has caused me to become seriously depressed over this last year. I used to be able to just see a hot girl and I would instantly get hard, now its like nothing happens down there. If anyone has any advice please post it!
December 13th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hello;
I am a 36 year old female. My husband has been experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) for the past 5 years and he has been seen a urologist for this problem. No one could figure out what was the cause, because he had suddenly developed it. A few months ago, my husband was back to his old self and we were excited. Recently, he told me (in a casual conversation)that he had been out of his out of his hair loss product for a while and needed to make a run to the store. He started using the hair loss product for about 5 weeks now. We had been so busy with family issues and the holidays that we had not had sexual intercourse. Last night we tried but he was not able due to his ED. I was a little frustrated because I thought that our problem was resolved. While I laid in bed, I pondered over the changes that he had made and the only things that I could distinctly remember was that he started on a program to ensure that he was getting all daily nutrients and he had purchased some hair loss products. I immediately mentioned to him that it must be his hair loss products but he was not convinced that this could cause ED. So, today, pulled the information from his products (which has MINOXDIL labeled on the front)and decided to browse websites for more information on MINOXDIL. I am very happy about this website. I believe that there is a positive association between minoxidil and erectile dysfunction after reading these experiences. My spouse is 38 years old, 157lbs,has never had an issue with weight gain,no Diabetes or any other diseases. He does have allergies and takes weekly shots, which he had started back in July of this year. So, I do not believe that his shots are the cause. For 5 years,his urologist has monitored and ran several test. I am sure that if my husband had told his urologist that he has been using this product,he would associate minoxidil with his ED. But of course, this is not one of the questions a doctor would ask. I am strongly convinced that minoxidil causes ED but I am sure that manufacturers would not readily disclose information as such.
December 18th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I am 38 and had used Rog. for the past 2 weeks after running out. In about of week of returning to its use, I noticed I have had problems with my erections. it has been almost of week since i have been off of Rog., no change, can you please tell me about how long does it take after discontinuing use of Rog. do my erections come back. I am so tired of Lev., but I have to live a normal life. So any any help would be greatly appreciated.
December 20th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
John,
Normally, the side effects from hair restoration medications cease when you stop taking the treatment and the active ingredient (in this case, minoxidil) leaves your system. If you have residual symptoms, I highly recommend making an appointment with your primary care physician and discussing the issue with him/her. I hope this helps!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
January 4th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Minoxidil DOES cause erectile dysfunction. It happened to me. 37 year old, in sports all of my life, used to have spontaneous erections 10-15 times a day, wake up EVERY morning with a woody etc…. I started taking minoxidil and within a week I noticed chest pain and shortness of breath. About two weeks in I noticed no erection in the mornings or throughout the day and just general limpness. I thought it was a thyroid problem. The doctor did X-ray of the chest-spotless, ultrasound of thyroid -spotless, blood work, allergy test, astma test-clear. I was freaking out. Then I realized it all started when I begun taking minoxidil 5% solution. I stopped and went to see my doctor the next morning. Neither the dermatologist or the pharmacist have warened me of any side effects. So I stopped. My doc said I would be fine in a week or two after the chemicals leave the body. I have to say that Mostly things are back to normal but still at maybe 80% of what it used to be. It has been 6 weeks now since I stopped. I suggest you drink a lot of watter to flush out the bad stuff and maybe do some detox. I am also eating more fatty meat- animal fat boosts testosterone levels which should help erection- I hope. Really I never cared about my hair so much to give up any part of my body. Who would go and break the steering wheel to drive the car better???
Funk
January 7th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
It’s been close to 6 months since stopping and I am still experiencing side effects. The only thing that has worked for me was this supplement called performance sustain alpha. It’s supposed to help your body produce more testosterone on its own. But it only works while I’m on it.
Then I thought the problem was my prolactin levels but the tests revealed they are normal. It sucks feeling ‘limp’ all day. I can get it up with a girl no problem but I’m less horny and have less frequent erections throughout the day. I’ve only taken that supplement for a week at a time. Do you think taking it for a month(as its suggested to be taken) will help permanently reverse the side effects?
I don’t wanna have to take a supplement for the rest of my life…
January 11th, 2011 at 12:06 am
Frank,
I’m sorry to hear about this. Frankly, I’m unfamiliar with ‘performance sustain alpha’ and would suggest discussing the amount and frequency that you take these pills with your primary care physician. While you’re there, you may want to ask whether or not he/she believes some of the erection issues may be mental.
In certain cases, it seems as if ex Propecia/Rogaine users who expect to see sexual side effects do experience them (meaning it could be a psychological issue) and the fact that you are able to maintain/achieve a regular erection with a partner makes discussing this issue with your doctor even more prevalent. Good luck!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
February 5th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Hi im only 31 years old and I too have erection issues ie Weak.I never wake up with an erection anymore and all this is to do with minoxidil.When I do get an erection it is at least 1 inch smaller than normal.Please help.I was on it about eight months and have been off it for more than one month now but no improvements as yet.My girlfriend has really noticed my issues.When will I be back to normal
February 8th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Mark,
It’s difficult to say whether or not this is solely the result of the minoxidil. In most cases, once the drug leaves your system, any sexual dysfunction should cease. However, since you are suffering from some type of residual side-effect (whether it’s from the drug, psychological, etc) I highly recommend making an appointment with your primary care physician and discussing the situation with him/her. Good luck!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
February 12th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I wonder if it effects estrogen production. I am a woman taking rogaine for men at the reccomendation fo my dermatologist. It has driven my desire through the roof! I am post menopausal and I guess that’s not typical. But it drives me to distraction. Literally! I came onto thei site hoping to find answers. But you guys are clearly having a different response. So maybe it’s estrogen, or jsut me. Wish I knew.
March 15th, 2011 at 1:11 am
After meeting with numerous urologists and trying various remedies, nothing has worked. My libido isn’t as bad as it used to be and I go through longer “periods” now where I do have more improved blood flow so as not to walk around completely limp all day. However I still have no morning erections, less blood flow, and have shrunken a lot (not to get too graphic).
I really hate to think this stupid drug has already ruined my life (im only 20). I know everyone is going to tell me to go see a doctor but let’s try to tackle this ourselves. My test results were completely normal(test, prolactin, etc…)
the only thing that did help me was a testosterone booster, called resveratrol or something, but even those benefits slowly disappeared. Therefore, I think it is hormonal. I will be consuming vitex (chasteberry) to reduce prolactin as I still think that may be a cause. If anyone else has any other hypotheses, please share. I can’t sit back anymore and wait for these stupid effects to disappear. Its been almost 9 months since stopping. Thanks for your help
March 31st, 2011 at 3:53 am
I have been on rog foam for 1 week and have noticed significant loss of oomph! I’ve never had a problem before. Im only 27, 8% body fat, don’t drink or smoke and eat a healthy balanced diet…its gotta be the minox
April 9th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Some people on this blog are trying to distract people from the truth. It’s important that people here can be quick to blame minoxidil for their side effects and not to think that there are other causes. I’m sure that more often than not minoxidil is causing your problems and here’s why:
I’m a 21 year old male and I *definitely* experienced bad sexual side effects from using minoxidil. I suffered from impotence for months until I read some of the blogs on this page and then stopped taking minoxidil immediately.
I am very lucky to be able to say that my erectile dysfunction is completely cured (after 2 months of no minoxidil). It took about a month and now I’m back to normal.
Baldness is a blessing compared to a ruined sex life. So many people are going to regret not waiting for the price of scalp therapy to come down in the future/for much safer products to come into the market.
Don’t ruin your life for vanity
April 18th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I’m 27 years old and have recently developed the same problems. After taking topical rogaine/ minoxodil on and off for over a year, I finally “crashed” (as the propecia users call it). I began to noticed that it took more and more manual stimulation to achieve erection, but dismissed it as a side effect of smoking or maybe drinking too much/ not getting enough exercise. Maybe I would have thought differently if minoxidil was required to warn that it can cause sexual side effects, among a host of other problems.
people at my work began to notice that i look tired, developing deep circles around my eyes, like a junkie look. I began looking up side effects of minoxidil and found this board and others like it where long term users have reported sexual side effects and skin problems. apparently there is research that minoxodil interferes with the synthesis of collagen, which is needed for the health of your skin. I look like i have aged 6 years in the bast few months.
worse still, after using rogaine for the last time on april 14th, i still have impotence, poor sleep, night sweating, sagging facial skin, fatigue, etc.
I am praying that these symptoms subside. I am trying to eat very healthy, drink detox teas and take a zinc, and garlic oil supplement.
Regardless of what happens, I want to dedicate my energy toward discouraging people from using propecia, or in my case minoxidil, as they both have documented long term side effects. If this was indicated on the warning label, I never would have tried the product, or if i did, I would have stopped once i saw the correlation….
I think there needs to be either someone spearheading a classaction lawsuit against minoxidl and propecia or at least an effort to get the companies to warn consumers about the dangerous side effects of tampering with your bodies ability to produce/ uptake of important hormones.
please stop using these products, as there havent been enough long term studies to document the long term effects of ruining your bodies endocrine system, but there are plenty of testimonials and websites (propeciahelp.com) where people describe the similar side effects that these drugs have caused in their life.
good luck to everyone in the recovery process,
timothy
April 21st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
If you are still expierencing ed/impotence from propecia/minox use I seemed to have cured myself with this regimen I started by taking 200mg testosterone cypionate every week for 5 weeks along with HCG 2000IU once a week for 7 weeks then after I had completed the five weeks I waited for 21 days then started taking toco 8 and sustain alpha by primordial performance as directed I feel better now than I did before starting propecia/minox it should be noted I was perscribed the test/HCG by MD
April 21st, 2011 at 11:46 pm
OMG!!!! thanks God I am not alone in this,I was going so frustrated when I noticed my sex drive was going down and erections wasn’t enough anymore, but I want to know if anybody here have had any experience with NU HAIR since I been taking this product for few months and i got the exactly side effects described for you guy. so if anybody can provide something i would appreciate.
May 8th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I appreciate all the comments and insights into the relationship between Minoxidil and sexual side effects. I took propecia about 10 years ago and noticed a drastic decrease in sex drive and erection strenght. I stopped taking propecia and everything returned to normal in about two weeks. I was aware of sexual sides being a possiblity with propicia, so I was quick to make the connection.
About two weeks ago I decided to try 5% Minoxidil. I started applying it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. I’m not overweight, I don’t smoke, don’t drink, and I have no new stressors in my life. About two days ago I started to notice a decrease in my sex drive and also started to notice my erections weren’t as stong. Not complete ED, but noticably reduced. I wasn’t aware of sexual side effects being associated with Minoxidil, but after reading these posts and given my own experience I’m convinced there are.
I have stopped taking Minoxidil and will just try to grow old gracefully. I would rather lose my hair than my sex drive. I’m really hoping I don’t have any of the lasting effects that some people spoke of. Given the short amount of time I was on the product and the fact that I didn’t completely lose the ablity to get an erection I think I will be ok.
Best of luck to those out there who have experienced more lasting side effects. I wish you all the best and thank you for sharing your experiences. Given my experience with propecia, if sexual side effects had been listed on the box for Minoxidil I wouldn’t have tried it. I think at the very least it needs to be recognized as a possible side effect and labeled accordingly.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Bernard, has this proved to be a permanent solution for you? When is the last time you took any of the supplements you mentioned? I ask this because the sustain alpha seemed to work for me but only for about a week or so after I stopped taking it. Then I eventually would go back to having those side effects. How long in total did you take the sustain alpha for?
Did you see good results from the test alone, or was it when you introduced the sustain alpha when things seemed to get better? I am going to talk to my urologist soon and try to get on the test.
Thanks so much for your input
May 19th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
This was my experience and yours may vary.
I had very light hair loss and began using Rogaine to stop or reduce it.
I used it for 3 months and one lousy night with my wife i had the worst ED! Note that I never, repeat NEVER had ED of any kind. I considered myself a lucky man because the simple event of touching my wife or undressing her would arouse and get ready for full action. Within a few minutes I had a great erection and lasting relation!!! But on this lousy night at about 3 months using Rogaine, it looked like I had no attraction or excitement towards my wife – we tried it and tried it and “he” was dead, 100% dead. I wanted to cry!!! This was the most horrific experience in our marriage. Well, I stopped Rogaine a couple of days later and the ED remained minimal for about 2-3 weeks. Today, 3 months later I am back to 80% of what it was before!
Rogaine??? NEVER AGAIN… better going bald than having “him going dead”.
Did you ever notice that Rogaine does NOT have testimonials from customers that have stayed on it for over one year? WHy is that? Ask yourself!
May 26th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Why do the products containing Minoxidil not include ED as a serious side effect in their product information? Most of the 42 comments on this website report this problem and I can add my own experience, which is completely consistent with those reported. I am a fit and healthy male, married for many years in a wonderful relationship with a normal healthy sex life. My hair was starting to thin out a little so I started to use hair regrowth products with 5% Minoxidil. Over the past few months I was aware of lack of libido and increasing ED. Finally after experiencing total ED, it suddenly occurred to me that this might be linked to the Minoxidil, which I had been applying once daily to my scalp. I searched the internet for information – no luck on any of the manufacturers sites, but I was able to find reports on other sites, and especially this one. Thanks to Dr jj the urologist (above) for his simple explanation. I will never touch Minoxidil again. I hope some action can be taken against the purveyors of this poison that causes ED. I can live with thinning hair, but ED is miserable.
May 31st, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I will go ahead and add my story as well. Like many other men who have posted on this site I consider myself a vital 31 year old man who exercises, runs, and always had a healthy sex drive. I noticed I had started to slightly thin on my crown and being a single guy wanted to try and slow this down. Hey I should try rogaine foam (5%)for men right? WRONG! I used this poison back in the middle of March for roughly two weeks and noticed soon after I started using it for the first week that I had no sexual desires and the inability to achieve an erection. I started to experience low energy, anxiety,dizziness, depression,poor sleep, and low appetite as well. I began to feel so bad that one day I woke up, called into work, and decided to go to a walk in doctor.
I described my symptoms to the walk-in doctor and requested some bloodwork be drawn of which included a serum testosterone level. Now I’m the type of guy who never goes to the doctor and generally feels good all the time and here I am out of the middle of nowhere going to the doctor out of fear that I may have a terminal illness. I felt that bad. Is it just mere coincidence that I began feeling this way simply after one week of taking this crap? I don’t think so. So lo and behold what did the serum testosterone level come to? A whopping borderline,hypogonadal 294 ng/dl. Roughly a number that many responsible forward thinking doctors are willing to treat with either hormone replacement therapy or are willing to try and reverse with some form of fertility medication such as HCG, nolvadex, or clomid. Before going to the doctor I didn’t know that testosterone levels as low as mine would correlate with all of the symptoms I was experiencing, I just knew to ask for testosterone because being moderately educated I realised it was vital for a healthy sex drive which I had none.
I have had my testosterone levels checked again after about a month and they rose to an “incredible” 305 ng/dl and also had free testosterone (supposedly the more important figure)levels checked as well which are just within the acceptible range of 11.3 pg/ml (Range 8.7-25.1). I have been to multiple doctors and most of them assume I am a guy just trying to score testosterone because I am already very well muscled from years of lifting with healthy hormone levels. When I tell them my story they simply tell me that I am normal and this has all been imagined. Moreover most of these doctors just think I have abused steroids and this is the reason for my hormones to be as low as they are for a man my age. So if a man abuses steroids and messes up his hormones he is refused treatment, but if a man jumps off a building on his own account he is given care for his broken legs? I find it funny that doctors cannot tell the difference between a naturally well muscled man from a man who has abused steroids. For the record I have never taken any form of anabolic steroids or testosterone.
This whole experience has been one of the worst periods of my life. Fortunately I have regained some of my function with the discontinuation of this poison, but like many here my desires for sex are drastically reduced and my quality of erections are much less firm and rigid. I should also note that my LH ( leutinizing hormone) levels were very low as well at 3.2 mIU/ml (range 1.7-8.6). I have had an MRI of my pituitary and it shows no signs of any tumors. I have no doubts whatsoever that most of us here experiencing these issues from the use of rogaine have had our endocrine systems disrupted with this putrid cocktail of chemicals. STAY AWAY FROM THIS STUFF! If you are still experiencing side effects from the use of this drug please go and get some bloodwork done which will better enable us to take legal action against the company.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Hello , good to read you guys ! I’m french and was trying to understand my ED, circles around the eyes , daily fatigue, bad sleep and so on… I NOW understand … this is very likely attributable to Minox… what a crap ! and quite similar to you, not a single piece of information in the french leaflet !!! How is it possible? This is simply unbelievable.
Thanks to all for sharing your experience.
I decide to quite this stuff today and will tell you how long it will have taken for me to be back to normal.
Good luck.
Arnaud
June 28th, 2011 at 7:01 am
I’ve been using minoxidil for about 1 1/2 months now and first started noticing that climaxing started taking way longer than usual. This was about three weeks into using minox. Then about five-six weeks into using it I started noticing the ED thing and my girlfried started to think that I’m just not that into her (excuse the pun). I’m 44, she’s 32 and she brought up the age thing but there is no way in hell being a hot latino lover all my life and need it daily that it was my age. Well today I noticed the ED thing got worse and took way much longer than normal to reach climax so we started to think and low and behold, I questioned that it could be the minoxidil. I did a quick search on Google and found this blog. After reading all the comments its obvious that minox is the suspect. I agree, I’d rather have a small thinning spot in the back of my head than a limp d*ck for the rest of my life. These minox companies are probably in kahoots with the ED drug companies. Oh well. I’ll post again as soon as I hopefully recover from this humiliating side effect. Good luck to those who are still trying to recover. I’m going to do a detox and try a tea which I started drinking about a week ago before I even realized minox was affecting me called Cardio Herbal Tea from a company called Tiens. I’m not trying to plug anything here but it has an ingredient called Gynostemma Leaf. It is a chinese herb that promotes blood pressure, cardio vascular functions and a host of other things including libido. Look it up. I’m probably going to order the real Leaf from another site I found that ships it from Thailand. Well good luck again to all and I will post my results soon.
Steven
June 29th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
To Frank : It ‘s been now 9 months since you quitted minox. How do you feel now ? still any ED ?
Could everybody on this forum make a point about their health % (still or no more ED, 80, 70 % , and so on … ) in order to understand how long it might take to recover 100% sex health.
Thank you to all and good luck!
July 6th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Hello to everyone!
Does any body know which parameter (testosteron, prolactin, etc…) has to be measured in the frame of a blood sampling to evaluate our ED ?
My doctor is a bit lost … and so am I …
Thanks.
Arnaud
July 7th, 2011 at 4:12 am
Arnaud,
A blood test for ED should include; testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and thyroid hormone levels.
David (TakingThePlunge)
July 9th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Thank you for the great information and the comments really provide clarity on side effects. Anyone found organic products that may work without the side effects to the body.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:16 am
Pl tell me the medicines for making my ED perfect as it was before I used Minoxidil. I had alopecia treatment in 2009 and used Minoxidil. It morethan 2 years now I stopped using Minoxidil. Slowly= my ED is total gone away. Pl tell me the treatment.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:16 am
Wow, thanks a lot for this blog! I’ve been taking Minox for about 12months now & have slowly noticed ED creep up on me… I think it got worse after I switched to Rogaine foam a few months ago because I was probably using too much on a daily basis. Like others, I never considered it as a side effect because it’s not listed anywhere.
I hardly ever get spontaneous erections anymore & sex with my girlfriend, whom my penis used to find irresistable, has now become a real chore. It’s definitely taken an inch off and when it does actually get fully hard during sex it only lasts for 5-10 seconds before softening again… without meaning to get too graphic!
Good luck everyone, being able to satisfy the one you love is a lot more important than hair.
I’m going to drastically reduce my dose & watch for any improvements.
July 13th, 2011 at 7:32 am
Tim,
The only clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments are Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). As such, these two drugs are the best non-surgical treatments currently available. However, there are some credible, natural alternative treatments such as those offered in our online hair loss treatments store.
It’s important to note that these alternative treatments are not likely to be as effective as finasteride and minoxidil and “natural” treatments may also present the risk of side effects.
David (TakingThePlunge)
July 13th, 2011 at 7:42 am
Rajkamal and AKA,
Erectile Dysfunction is a widely known but rare side effect of Propecia (finasteride). ED is not typically associated with Rogaine (minoxidil).
Anyone experiencing ED should consult with a physician immediately. There are many causes of ED and your condition may not be the result of applying minoxidil.
The treatment of ED depends on the cause and thus requires a proper diagnosis.
David (TakingThePlunge)
July 14th, 2011 at 5:23 am
What about taking “blue pill” until ED vanish ? Has any one tried to take some “blue pill” ?
To Rajkamal : sorry I did not understand your writing (i’m French) : do you still have ED ? or did your ED slowly TOTALY disappear ?
Thanks and good luck.
Arnaud
July 14th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
i do apply minoxidil for about one and a half year once a day. all i saw was minor hair growth on the areas i applied.
i dont think it effected my sex drive in any means, i just put it on scalp and it is not a miracle lotion, can’t understand how it effects sex drive on some people..
July 15th, 2011 at 3:45 am
Could someone tell me if you have other symptoms except ED such as : tiredness and dizziness ?
Thanks.
Arnaud
July 29th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Just wanted to follow up on my previous blog comment #46 that after I stopped using Minoxidil last month, I noticed full recovery after about 2 weeks. I’m happy to say I’m normal again.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:05 am
Thanks Steven.
As for me, I am back to normal after 2 months off minoxidil, almost 100% operative.
Great.
Instead of using a 5% form, I am now trying a 2% form , twice a day. We will see if I undergo side effects with this concentration.
See ya.
arnaud
August 4th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Sorry for being insistent but this is an important question for me : do you (any one on this forum) suffer from tiredness as well (along with ED) ?
Thanks for your answer and good luck to all !
August 28th, 2011 at 7:41 am
I am a 30 year old man. AT 28 tried Propecia for one year and for the first 6-7 months did not have sexual side effects at all , after that said time i started suffering from ED and a diminished sex drive almost to a point that sex did not interest me at all ,could barely get and maintain a hard on. after a year on the product i stopped using it and started using Rogain 5% topical. now it the erections got better but still having a hard time maintaining them and i do not get as hard as a rock almost never and even when i do it will not stay there for more the 1 full minute before i start going soft again. i do not want to keep losing my hair and the Rogain does help but i refuse to keep having such low performance when i am with a women. i am only 30 years old !! could any one please suggest to me what i can do to keep treating my hair loss and not suffer from this terrible side effect ? than you
August 30th, 2011 at 3:08 am
James,
AS I’m sure you already know, erectile dysfunction is not a known or proven side effect of minoxidil. While some men have reported that they feel minoxidil is the culprit, it is much more likely that the condition is a result of some other factor.
You may still be suffering long-term effects form Propecia or there may be another cause. As I stated above, anyone experiencing ED should consult with a physician immediately. The treatment of ED depends on the cause and thus requires a proper diagnosis.
Unfortunately, at this time, Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are the only clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. However, there are a few credible alternatives available at our Online Hair Loss Treatment Shop.
It is important to note that no alternative treatment is likely to be as effective as Rogaine and Propecia and these products should only be used when proven treatments are not an option.
David (TakingThePlunge)
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:33 am
I came to this blog hoping to find someone with just the opposite experience with minoxidil. Has anyone experienced INCREASED sexual drive while using this drug ? I have gone on and off minoxidil for many years. I get nice little “fuzzy” hairs on top of my scalp that help fill in my crew cut, but after awhile I tire of the redness of stickiness dripping down my face, so I tend to lay off after I get the desired effect. Going on and off the drug has given me the opportunity to notice (quite dramatically) that it actually INCREASES my sexual drive. I wouldn’t say it has had an effect on my erection one way or another, but almost immediately after starting up each time, I get noticeably horny. Has ANYONE had this same experience ? Does this dilation of blood vessels effect the brain ?
September 7th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
I was on Propecia for one year , during the first 6-7 months on it i did actually feel an increased sex drive.
I guess (and this is a guess only ) that the body tries to over compensate on the loss of DHT by producing more , once the the pill starts doing it’s job and the DHT really did go down I felt a diminished and almost gone , to the point where I could care less about sex I also felt it making me weaker and more feminine like . Funny thing is that i was attracting more women on the pill than not.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:15 am
I just tested my theory again after I wrote my last entry. I stopped taking minoxidil for almost 2 weeks and at the end of that period, I had lost almost all interest in sex. I started applying it again (Kirkland (Costco) generic 5% minoxidil) and almost immediately I was chasing skirts again. Weird stuff. Yes, perhaps the body is trying to overcompensate for decreased levels of DHT (or perhaps the inhibiting effect stimulates production in certain men) Would love to hear some physicians theories on why this might be happening.
James J…there is little doubt why women are attracted to your more “feminine” side. I think that’s pretty natural ! men who are “in touch” with their more feminine side are a little less threatening and seem more comfortable in their own skin ;-)
October 12th, 2011 at 8:51 am
pls get ur LH FSH and testesterone levels checked. I was advised to do so by my doc. Like most of you, I had perfefct libido which was lost due to use of Minoxidil and Finasteride. I have stopped taking it about 3 months back but I still have ED and need to take sildenefil for sex. It is a terrible feeling and I am glad to find a blog where I can vent my anger and help similar victims. I will keep you posted about the results and subsequent treatment.
October 14th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Hello everyone,
I more and more think about a depressive mood to explain our problems… Honestly, what do you think about that ?
October 17th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
has anyone expierenced urination problems or a urethral stricture as a result of rogaine use. I also experience the sexual side effects
October 20th, 2011 at 4:12 am
John,
I have never heard anyone complain of urination problems or urethral stricture due to Rogaine (minoxidil). As I’m sure you are aware, sexual side effects are also not a documented result of minoxidil use.
If you have not yet done so, I highly recommend discussing your concerns with your physician. There are many factors that can lead to these side effects.
David (TakingThePlunge)
October 31st, 2011 at 6:30 pm
I to have been experiencing ED from using this drug. It’s been 8 months since stopping and still experience weak erections but also pre mature ejaculation. Is anyone experiencing pre mature ejaculation from this product?
I have been doing kegal excercises for the past month and things have been getting a little bit better, they say that it takes a few months to notice results from kegals but maybe this is worth a try..
November 4th, 2011 at 9:44 am
GENTLEMEN, PFIZER MAKE REGAIN, PFIZER MAKE VIAGARA, YOU ARE ALL HAVING ISSUES WITH ‘ed’. THESE PRODUCTS ARE DESIGNED TO WORK ON THE SHAME OR EMASCULATION WE FEEL WHEN NOT LIVING UP TO BEING A ‘MAN’. SO, VIAGARA SALES GO UP WHEN THE OLD CHAP STAYS DOWN, NOT MANY MEN WILL TALK OF USING HAIR ‘RESTORER’, SO WE THEN CANT TALK ABOUT THE SEXUAL ‘IMPOTENCE’ THAT MAY COME FROM USING SAID HAIR PRODUCT, SO WE GO BUY A WONDER PILL FROM SAME SAID COMPANY… COINCIDENCE?… GENIUS ISN’T IT? HOW WE PLAY THE SHAME GAME… IT IS SIMPLY LOGIC, MATHS & PFIZERS ECONOMIC GAIN… BE HAPPY IN YOURSELVES GENTS, THE WORLD HAS MANY PROBLEMS, DON’T BUY INTO THE LITTLE ONES THROUGH BEING MADE BY MEDIA TO FEEL ‘LESS THAN A MAN’, STAND TALL!
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:59 am
Just found his site. i, too, have noticed a change in libido after only 3 weeks on minoxidol. However, the reason I started searching for information is that about an hour ago I got up from sleeping to go to the bathroom. On the way to the bathroom I passed out and fell against a door. I know minoxidol can affect blood pressure and I happen to have a blood pressure monitor so I checked my blood pressure and it was down nearly 40 points from normal. It was 84/57. That’s too scary for me. My 3 month supply of minoxidol is going in to the trash.
November 24th, 2011 at 3:09 am
James and Stu,
Erectile dysfunction is a known side effect of Propecia (finasteride) affecting roughly 2% of patients. However, sexual side effects are not documented with Rogaine (minoxidil).
While finasteride works by inhibiting the sex hormone DHT, minoxidil does not treat hair loss through hormonal changes. It is a vasodilator. Thus, it really should not impact sex drive.
It’s important to remember that ED and loss of libido are symptoms of numerous physical and emotional conditions. I highly advise against self-diagnosis. If you have not yet done so, I recommend consulting with a physician.
David (TakingThePlunge)
November 24th, 2011 at 3:12 am
french_arnaud,
Depression can most definitely affect libido and lead to erectile dysfunction. It’s very important for anyone experiencing these conditions to consult with a physician in order to determine the nature of their symptoms.
David (TakingThePlunge)
November 24th, 2011 at 3:22 am
Doug,
You have made the right decision by discontinuing Rogaine immediately after losing consciousness due to low blood pressure. However, I highly recommend discussing this incident with your physician rather than making the assumption that the minoxidil is to blame.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Best of luck!
David (TakingThePlunge)
November 24th, 2011 at 3:27 am
MAC,
It’s an interesting theory you have there but it’s important to remember that there simply is no documented proof that Rogaine (minoxidil) causes any sexual side effects at all.
Many patients often confuse the side effects of Propecia (finasteride) with those of Rogaine. Propecia is known to cause sexual side effects like ED in a small percentage of men due to the suppression of the sex hormone DHT.
Rogaine does not affect sex hormones. Instead, minoxidil is thought to help regrow hair by increasing blood flow to dieing hair follicles.
David (TakingThePlunge)
December 8th, 2011 at 3:01 am
I started using rogaine from 10th of the last month till now and I am seeing from weak to no erections. I have minor back problem from last six years, before I was attributing the ED to back problem. but after reading this page I am convinced the rogaine is causing this.
how long does it take to become normal after stopping rogaine? anybody?
December 9th, 2011 at 2:32 am
Prince,
In theory, as soon as the minoxidil is cleared from your system, the physiological side effects should subside. However, keep in mind that if there is a secondary cause or psychological problem associated with the erectile issues, it could persist after stopping the medication.
Because of this, I highly recommend scheduling an appointment with your personal physician and discussing this issue.
Good luck!
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
December 14th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
I am 32 years old and I was on propecia,rogaine, hair and nail vitamins, biotin, choline and Inostol,Niacin, saw palmetto berries..Vitamins you name it. I am single, and I have been having soft erections,less semen after ejaculation, and no hard ons throughout the day. Ladies and gentelman get real we all get older. And I recently me a young lady who I am very sexual compatible with and we are having sex like monkeys. 3x a day for the past 6 months no problems what so ever now. It is 75% mental and the rest maybe the drugs. I am still just on Rogaine I ran out of propecia and was thinking about getting dutasteride after I researched you grow more hair with a lower dosage then propecia. Just .5 mg of dusteride is comparible to 2.5 of propecia. I know i wont have a proble. And for a while I was an was getting EXTREMELLY nervous. Change up your sexual patter, bring new life in bed, or try jerking off to see if it gets hard and the erection can stay. You will 100% know then.
December 27th, 2011 at 3:53 am
I have done so much research before planning to use hair regrowth formulas and found out that Propecia causes sexual side efects and minoxidil does not, I am on minoxidil for past 5 days but only time will tell I guess…
January 10th, 2012 at 1:13 am
I took 5% the last 4 days and am experiencing the side effects. Takes forever to get an erection, and when I finally get one its not that hard and goes away quickly. I was perfectly fine sexually 4 days ago before I started the treatment. The last time I took it was this morning and will NEVER be taking it again. Im 22 years old and need to have my sex life back. How long until I see improvements??
January 10th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
RM,
In theory, as soon as the minoxidil is clear of your system, any potential side effects should disappear. However, if any of these issues are caused by a source outside of the medication (such as a psychological stressor), the effects could persist and should be evaluated by a physician.
I hope this helps.
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant
January 12th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
I used it for 1 week and noticed that I have subnormal erection. Please apply castor oil mixed with coconut or mustard oil and heat it and massage the same on your scalp. Leave it overnight and you will get good hair. Say Yes to SEX LIFE & NO NO NO NO to ED ;-)
January 14th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Well, I came across this page, as I was researching the sexual effects of minoxidil. You see, I am 54 and have been having problems with erections since I turned 50. Recently, I started using generic minoxidil after seeing a recent photo of myself from the rear. My hair was thinning on the crown and I started the minoxidil treatment ASAP. Shortly afterwards, I noticed a stirring down there. I noticed my penis appeared to be thicker, like it used to be and I woke up with strong erections like I used to. I have read that minoxidil has been used to treat ED, when applied to the penis. I’ve only put it on my head. It has only been a week, but I am eager to see what prolonged use can do.
Many people seem to blame minoxidil for their sexual dysfunction, though it has be documented to do the opposite. I think these people need to consider other causes for this problem, and not blame the drug. If you are losing hair, their is the issue of your age to consider. Men do have problems with hair loss and ED when they hit middle age. No coincidence there!
January 15th, 2012 at 10:15 am
I started using rogaine on january 2006 using the 2% topical solution i then moved to 5% thats when things went wrong, come july 2006. I started getting ED, out of my stupidity i didnt put it together that rogaine had caused impotence. I continued using it for another 8 months or so then pulled the plug as more and more stories came about online about it doing this. I have been to doctors had blood tests all back normal been referred to various things but nothing they can do as of such. And to this day 15 Jan 2012 im still not fully recovered from side effects of rogaine. Things have improved a bit but not to what it used to be, i wish i had never taken it. I warn others not to do it, its nice having hair but not at the cost of sex life.
January 18th, 2012 at 3:46 am
Anon and Others,
While there are reports online of men attributing erectile dysfunction to Rogaine (minoxidil), this is not a documented side effect and there are no studies correlating the two.
Erectile dysfunction can result from physical issues, psychological issues or a combination of the two. In fact, the list of possible causes is quite long. I recommend that anyone experiencing such symptoms seek medical advice, keeping in mind that medical tests may not identify a psychological cause.
David
January 31st, 2012 at 5:28 am
I am a 41 year old woman who has been using 5% Rogaine foam. And I agree with Julie and Stu. My libido is through the roof. It’s very distracting and I have empathy for teenage boys. I thought it was just hormones or adjusting to being divorced.
My face is definitely puffy and unclear. But the libido is keeping me awake at night searching the internet for answers. After reading the comments I will probably stop too. I’ve got to do something at work besides think about sex all day.
February 7th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
how does minoxil smell?