Infrequent erections

[billie_tv (imported)]

Short of having a complete blood work up, I am wondering if anyone here has experienced this: During the night I do have erections, not quite as hard or as long as before the DHT blockers; but during the day I cannot get an erection at all. Even if I look at porn. (I feel the sensation that I'm getting an erection, but nothing.) (Like a phantom limb- a "phantom erection.") It's nice in one way, for when I see a pretty girl I'm not self-conscious that I'm 'showing', but I don't know if it's from lack of erections but my foreskin now completely covers the glans even when I'm erect, and when I'm not the glans seems to be pulled in tighter to my body, like when you've been in really cold water, but without the cold water.

Is this something that would revert to a prior state in time of the DHT blockers, or is this a permanent change in testosterone/DHT levels from possibly less functioning in the testicles, which did seem to plump up a bit when I stopped Avodart.

The testicles sometimes would feel hard and swollen ,only to go down in size at night.

My sex drive is completely unaffected. It's very strong.

The only other thing is although I'm attracted to girls, I don't feel that compulsive need to pursue them. It's nice to see them. I'm more calm that way. I almost feel as if I might be bisexual now. I'm thinking about exploring more.

I'm thinking of going on a lower dose of Aldactone (Spiro) for blood pressure and to help my hair, in combination with Proscar (Finasteride). What can I expect on a low dose like 25mg with Proscar in say 6 months, 12 months, etc., etc?

Thanks everyone.

[Prudence (imported)]

I haven't taken any of this type of stuff myself, so I can't speak from personal experience... But from what I've read, erections are the first thing to go -- Long before desire will be effected. So if lowered (or lack of) sexual desire was your goal, you'd probably need to take a higher dose.

I become sort of like you describe sometimes if I am under a lot of stress (such as when I've worked really long hours, and haven't gotten enough sleep, and haven't been eating well). During these times, my sexual desire is plenty strong, but I can't get an erection to save my life (or can get just a weak one, but only after a whole lot of stimulation). If I do manage to get to an orgasm, its really weak (almost no pleasure) and I get only a few (1,2, or 3) really weak muscle contractions for ejaculation. However, even during these times, my night time erections are totally normal. I often wake up with full-on puberty-grade "morning wood" (but it will go away a few minutes after waking even if I try to play with it).

My point is, I think once your Testosterone levels get lowered a bit (whether by stress or by medication), I think "difficult to non-existent erections" while still having sexual desire and full nighttime erections is normal.

[billie_tv (imported)]

Thanks Prudence

I too have had those fantasies ever since I was a teen. It's hard to go about acting out because most avenues one could take have risks. I never noticed a decrease in arousal during orgasms, just that it was different. In a way, I had more control over when it would happen. I could go much longer without having to release.

I've always had a major pantyhose fetish and now when I wear them I'm almost smooth down there. A good control top and one would have to look closely to see there was anything remotely manly there.

I guess my fantasies have me now at a crossroads. Go more and silence my testosterone and awaken the submissive and act out those fantasies, or just try to go back to being a man with different fantasies.

It's not always easy.