finasteride and Nocturnal erections: How do people notice?

[eXVee]

Several people who've reported having sides from finasteride mention a loss of nocturnal erections. I was wondering, how do you notice that you aren't having any nocturnal erections if you're asleep? Did your GF bring this up during breakfast?

I'm just curious how people actually notice.

 

[Quantum Cat]

when you wake up either during the night or in the morning, you're supposed to have an erection - not having one can be the first sign of impotence.

When I started on finasteride I had a brief period when I didn't get night erections but I continued and my body adjusted to finasteride, so now it's fine.

 

[Thickandthin]

I've had morning wood like 10 times in my entire life. If I wake up in the middle of the night I occasionally have an erection though.

I think it has more to do with your sleeping patterns than it does your T levels. Because if you aren't waking up with one then more than likely you are just waking up at times when its not erect.

 

[ali777]

I was going to say that. I don't think it's that simple. Most of the time I don't have a morning wood, but I don't have any problems in that department.

Regarding the original post: I think they mean morning wood mainly. Also, sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I'm more likely to have an E. I think it's the E that wakes me up.

I'm not an MD but think of sleeping as maintenance of the body, a bit like a computer doing all the system checks when it goes idle. When we sleep, we don't realise it but the body is making sure everything is functional and it also does some repair work, all this happens in stages. At the REM stage, the whole body shuts, but the neurological system is very active. At REM, the body checks that all the brain connections are functional, and does some wire fixing, etc. Hopefully all the wrong connections get fixed and mentally we are fresh the next day. Likewise, an erection during the night is very normal, the body makes sure it's in working order.... (that's what I was told by an MD, although the exact science behind an erection during the night is not known)

 

[eXVee]

I don't get up during the night. I'm a deep sleeper.

But a morning erection s basically nocturnal erection too, right? I still get those so I guess I'm in the safe zone.

 

[Bryan]

Likewise, an erection during the night is very normal, the body makes sure it's in working order.... (that's what I was told by an MD, although the exact science behind an erection during the night is not known)

What a very odd thing for a doctor to tell you! :shock:

I seriously doubt that an erection during the night is any different from an erection during the day: it's just a natural response to an erotic dream. It's not a "functional check".

 

[Mew]

Bryan, I'm not sure why someone as educated as yourself would make such claims without actually doing research beforehand?

No offense of course... but nocturnal erections are of critical importance to men in maintaining erectile function.

it's just a natural response to an erotic dream.

That is not correct, it's a natural part of REM sleep, "erotic dreams" or not.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=R3IdszO ... &ct=result

http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cg ... /6/423.pdf


Nocturnal erections are also an androgen-dependent event:

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qs ... 5000192469

It's not a "functional check".

Actually, nocturnal erections are crucial to bringing in fresh oxygenated blood to the penile tissues, to maintain tissue structure and function. Without nocturnals, the penis remains in a flaccid and thus, hypoxic state which can lead to fibrotic tissue changes and thus, organic ED.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/55835.php

"Periodic tissue oxygenation of penile tissues occurs with nightly erections. One theory is that nocturnal penile tumescence serves the purpose of keeping the normal penis healthy by periodically increased oxygen tensions in the penile vascular bed. "


http://www.duj.com/Article/Nehra/Nehra.html

"Thus, in flaccidity, reduced oxygen tension leads to trabecular connective tissue synthesis and during erection, increased oxygen tension leads to reduced connective tissue synthesis and collagen degradation. Sexual as well as nonsexual (e.g. nocturnal penile tumescence) erections may be important in modulating trabecular connective tissue metabolism and to maintain a functional connective tissue/smooth muscle ratio crucial for erectile function12,13. This balance of factors that regulate erection may also affect corpus cavernosum structure. Prolonged ischemia or vascular insufficiency may prevent the oxygenation of the corpora that occur during erection, accelerating the processes leading to corporal fibrosis and failure of veno-occlusion."

 

[Flavio]

I've been using finasteride for 10 years and my sex life is normal. I'm 32 years old and I still have nocturnal erections.

If you really want to improve your erections, get some exercise and stop taking coffee, alcohol, drugs or anything that messes with your nervous system.

 

[Mew]

If you really want to improve your erections, get some exercise and stop taking coffee, alcohol, drugs or anything that messes with your nervous system.

Thanks for the tip Flavio, especially since Finasteride is a DRUG and sexual side effects like ED and impotence are listed by Merck.

You're right, if you want to improve your erections, stop taking the DRUG (Finasteride) which is causing you the problems in the first place.

Couldn't have said it better myself! And probably the most honest thing I've seen you post in ages.

 

[Student]

When I started on finasteride I had a brief period when I didn't get night erections but I continued and my body adjusted to finasteride, so now it's fine.

How long was that, and when did it start? The past month or so I have not stopped having them, but they are certainly very weak. Before the past two months, there was nothing I could point to such as that, and the only reason I would notice this is because I know it is a side. It is about 6 months into my treatment.

 

[eXVee]

Normally I don't get up during the night but this week, for some reason, I did. So, this week I had a chance to notice nocturnal erections and...I DID! Yay! I still get nocturnal erection and morning erections on finasteride.Thank god!

 

[Flavio]

If you really want to improve your erections, get some exercise and stop taking coffee, alcohol, drugs or anything that messes with your nervous system.

Thanks for the tip Flavio, especially since Finasteride is a DRUG and sexual side effects like ED and impotence are listed by Merck.

You're right, if you want to improve your erections, stop taking the DRUG (Finasteride) which is causing you the problems in the first place.

Couldn't have said it better myself! And probably the most honest thing I've seen you post in ages.

I'm sorry that finasteride didn't work for you, but that doesn't give you the right to come here and insult people. :thumbdown2:

 

[Mew]

I'm sorry that finasteride didn't work for you, but that doesn't give you the right to come here and insult people

I'm sorry you interpreted my comments as an insult, I was actually quite surprised and trying to commend you on the honesty you displayed in that post -- admitting that if a drug is causing someone problems, they should stop.

Considering your past posts where Finasteride can do no wrong, I found this post to be a breath of fresh air. Again, it was not meant to be an insult at all, if anything I'd like to shake your hand for at least acknowledging both sides of the story.

Cheers.