August 10 2007, 11:33 am PT | Posted in: Drugs
Hi Dr.Rassman
i’m 27 yr old and have been taking finasteride for a week now, i have been prescribed finepecia as propecia is not available in india, my doc says that both of em are same, anyways my concern is that i have been having testicular pain after the 2nd day of use, its mild but remains, will it subside? also i am very much concern about the sexual side effects. i have recently quit smoking and in college i have had my fair share of marijuana…will these things aggravate the side effects. what do u suggest should i stop it or continue ?
Smoking cigarettes and using marijuana can have negative sexual side effects independent of Propecia use. With respect to testicular pain after starting Propecia, I have occasionally heard reports of this as a relatively rare side effect. Usually the pain is not significant and will subside. However, it is more important to check with your doctor and notify him/her of this problem since the testicular pain may signify other serious medical problems unrelated to the Propecia use.
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Balding Forum
Hello, I also experienced testicular pain 2 days after commencing propecia at a dosage of 0.5mg/day. It lasted for approximately 24 hours and subsided completly. I am not sure if it was due to the propecia, but 3 weeks later when my dosage was increased to 1mg/day I experienced similar discomfort which again subsided completely and lasted approximately 24 hours.
The testicle pain has not returned. I have now been on propecia for 6 weeks and have experienced no sexual side effects whatsoever.
An update to my post above.. a little over a week ago the testicle pain returned. It is milder, it is both testicles and it is there each day. I have also noticed a change (thickening, and very slight darkening) in the consistency of my ejaculate. The pain is bearable but distracting. I am not experiencing ED in any way. I am hoping the testicular ache goes away as I could not persist with the medication if it does not. I have been on propecia 8 weeks.
John, any update? I had testicular pain from Propecia as well. It was mild, in one ball, and subsided after I stopped taking the medication. I’m thinking about going back on it and seeing what happens. What’s new with your pain?
Yes, the ache became quite uncomfortable, enough that I spoke to my doctor about it, and he felt that I was most likely one of the small minority who experience this side effect (he also tested for any infections, which were all clear). My options were to quit Propecia, continue & see if it subsided, or he suggested trying a lower dosage and told me that a lower dosage is most likely almost as good, but not as good, as the recommended dosage. He explained that on a lower dosage I would have to accept that I would achieve less than optimal (but again “almost as good”) results. I did not quit Propecia but reduced the dosage to 0.25mg/day, where I have stayed. The ache subsided quickly, around a week, and I have experienced no more side effects. I have now been on propecia for 4.5 months, and there is a definite increase in pigmentation of my hair and I would say an improvement in the overall quality. For reference, I am 37 and have no receding, but overal diffusion on the top of my head which I would say is mild but stronger at the temples and crown.
I have no doubt that my solution is not the best for everyone, but I feel it is working for me. For those that are in the minortiy who experience side effects, I would definately suggest talking to your doctor about the dosage. Its seems the 1mg/day might be suitable for 99.9% of patients, but not 100%. At least for now, I am very glad I did not quit Propecia.
By the way, using a pill cutter to cut up a box of propecia into quarters is not for those who lack patience!