Anyone else share this? I took finasteride 7 years ago and feel like i'm slowly getting worse. I measured my night time erections and barely got any, I am on cialis too.

30M. Was 100% fine before finasteride. Took it 7 years ago, got ED, stopped, partially recovered, then slowly worse every year since.

Symptoms: ED, almost no nocturnal erections (~1/night, not solid), low libido, numb genitals, pelvic floor pain.

Tried: Cialis, shockwave, PRP, 2 pelvic floor PTs — nothing helped. Tretinoin made everything worse both times I tried it.

Blood (Quest 2026):

Test	Result	Range
Total T	940	250–1100
Free T	91.2	46–224
SHBG	54 (high)	10–50
Estradiol	<30	≤39
Prolactin	8.4	2–18
3α-Adiol-G	2398	—

Blood Dec 2021:

Test	Result	Range
Total T	928	250–1100
Free T	173.8 (above range)	35–155
DHT	67 (above range)	12–65
SHBG	44	10–50
LH	4.9	1.5–9.3
FSH	4.8	1.6–8.0
Cortisol-relevant: TSH, T3, T4, CMP, A1c	all normal	—

Blood May 2021:

Test	Result	Range
Total T	898	—
Free T	11.33 ng/dL	mid-range
SHBG	51	—
Cortisol (AM)	23.3 (high end)	—
A1c	4.8	—

So total T has been stable ~900–940 for 5 years. But free T went from above range (2021) to lower third (now), and DHT was above range in 2021, haven't retested it since.

Urine (DUTCH 2026):

Test	Result	Range
Testosterone	25.98	25–115
5α-DHT	9.6	5–25
5α-Androstanediol	57.9	30–250
5β-Androstanediol	68.9	40–250
Epi-T	34.4	25–115
Androsterone	2356	500–3000
Etiocholanolone	1282	400–1500

Estrogens all low end (E3 below range). Progesterone metabolites high-normal.

The problem: Blood T is top quartile and has been for years. Blood DHT was above range in 2021. But urine testosterone is 1 point above the floor and all metabolites are scraping bottom. High in blood, barely anything coming out in urine.

Questions:

1. What explains high blood androgens but almost nothing in urine? Has anyone figured out this pattern?
2. Anyone else crash from tretinoin?
3. Anyone worsen for years then improve? What changed?

Urologist next week getting DHT, cortisol, Doppler. Will update.

I'm tired of seeing every career thread on here act like tech or med school is the only way to make real money.

I'm a lineman. Went to a 15 week line school out of high school, started as a groundman, topped out journeyman. Base is like 58 an hour where I'm at. Thats fine money on its own but base isnt even the point.

The point is OT and storms. Regular overtime alone has most guys well into 6 figures. Then a hurricane hits and its double time, 16 and 18 hour days back to back, hotel and per diem paid. I know guys who chase storms all year that broke $350k last year. Worked a hurricane with a foreman who said his w2 was $410k. The guy just never says no to a storm call and lives out of hotels.

Even if you don't wanna do all that, a journeyman taking normal OT is looking at $180k-$250k in most decent markets. And zero student loans. I was making money at 19 while my friends were paying to sit in lectures. Do that math over 30 years.

Everyone always says. "Its one of the most dangerous jobs in america!!!" The danger is literally why it pays lol. Thats the whole deal. If it was safe and comfy it would pay 18 an hour like everything else. Roofers and loggers rank worse on the fatality stats and nobody writes articles warning kids away from roofing. And honestly the guys who get hurt are almost always the ones skipping steps. Respect the voltage, follow your training, go home. Getting too comfortable kills, not the job.

Meanwhile the "safe" desk job crowd is out here getting heart disease at 45 from sitting 10 hours a day but nobody counts that one. And you make $100k, 2-4 weeks max vacation, have to work until you're at least 65. I'm on track to retire at 50 if I want. Last year I took 8 weeks off and still made over $200k.

Not saying its for everyone. Its hard on your body, you'll miss holidays sometimes, and the 300k guys are gone from home basically all year. But if youre like 18-25 and lost, dont let a comment section scare you out of a trade. You can make $180k working less than 50 hours a week. Most white collar jobs can't say that. And AI isn't coming for this job anytime soon. Every town has lineman too. You don't need to live in a tech hub or anything.

Ask me whatever.

Edit:
Getting a lot of DMs about how to get in so heres the short version. Get your class A CDL first, thats the fastest way in with no experience. Apply to the IBEW outside line apprenticeship for your region, just google your area + "outside line apprenticeship". While you wait, apply direct to line contractors as a groundman, show up in person or call, dont just apply online. Line school is optional not required.

Category	Test	Result	Units	Reference Range	Flag
Thyroid	TSH	2.00	mIU/L	0.40–4.50	Normal
Thyroid	Free T4	1.2	ng/dL	0.8–1.8	Normal
Thyroid	Free T3	3.3	pg/mL	2.3–4.2	Normal
Glucose	Fasting Glucose	77	mg/dL	65–99	Normal
Glucose	Hemoglobin A1c	4.9	%	<5.7	Normal
Metabolic Hormones	IGF-1, LC/MS	226	ng/mL	63–373	Normal
Metabolic Hormones	IGF-1 Z Score, Male	0.5	SD	-2.0 to +2.0	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	Total Testosterone, MS	928	ng/dL	250–1100	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	Free Testosterone	173.8	pg/mL	35.0–155.0	High
Reproductive Hormones	Sex Hormone Binding Globulin	44	nmol/L	10–50	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	FSH	4.8	mIU/mL	1.6–8.0	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	LH	4.9	mIU/mL	1.5–9.3	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	DHEA Sulfate	394	mcg/dL	85–690	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	Prolactin	12.6	ng/mL	2.0–18.0	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	Estradiol	33	pg/mL	≤39	Normal
Reproductive Hormones	Dihydrotestosterone, LC/MS/MS	67	ng/dL	12–65	High
Reproductive Hormones	Pregnenolone, LC/MS	224	ng/dL	22–237	Normal
Liver / Protein	Total Protein	8.3	g/dL	6.1–8.1	High
Liver / Protein	Albumin	4.9	g/dL	3.6–5.1	Normal
Liver / Protein	Globulin	3.4	g/dL	1.9–3.7	Normal
Liver / Protein	Albumin/Globulin Ratio	1.4	calculated	1.0–2.5	Normal
Liver	Total Bilirubin	1.0	mg/dL	0.2–1.2	Normal
Liver	Alkaline Phosphatase	50	u/L	36–130	Normal
Liver	AST	18	u/L	10–40	Normal
Liver	ALT	15	u/L	9–46	Normal
Kidney	BUN	18	mg/dL	7–25	Normal
Kidney	Creatinine	1.19	mg/dL	0.60–1.35	Normal
Kidney	eGFR, Non-African American	84	mL/min/1.73 m²	≥60	Normal
Kidney	eGFR, African American	98	mL/min/1.73 m²	≥60	Normal
Kidney	BUN/Creatinine Ratio	Not applicable	—	6–22	—
Electrolytes	Sodium	138	mmol/L	135–146	Normal
Electrolytes	Potassium	4.3	mmol/L	3.5–5.3	Normal
Electrolytes	Chloride	101	mmol/L	98–110	Normal
Electrolytes	Carbon Dioxide	31	mmol/L	20–32	Normal
Electrolytes	Calcium	9.7	mg/dL	8.6–10.3	Normal
Urinalysis	Color	Yellow	—	Yellow	Normal
Urinalysis	Appearance	Clear	—	Clear	Normal
Urinalysis	Specific Gravity	1.018	—	1.001–1.035	Normal
Urinalysis	pH	6.5	—	5.0–8.0	Normal
Urinalysis	Glucose	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Ketones	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Occult Blood	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Protein	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Bilirubin	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Nitrite	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	Leukocyte Esterase	Negative	—	Negative	Normal
Urinalysis	WBC	None seen	/HPF	≤5	Normal
Urinalysis	RBC	None seen	/HPF	≤2	Normal
Urinalysis	Squamous Epithelial Cells	None seen	/HPF	≤5	Normal
Urinalysis	Bacteria	None seen	/HPF	None seen	Normal
Urinalysis	Hyaline Casts	None seen	/LPF	None seen	Normal
Tumor Marker	Total PSA	0.56	ng/mL	≤4.00	Normal

3a-Androstanediol Glucuronide is 2398 ng/dL

Everything looks fine, so maybe it really is just pelvic floor issues. I never had any ED before finasteride, and now I’ve been off it for 7 years and never got better. I still have sexual side effects: ED that has slowly gotten worse, pelvic pain, and numbness down there.

I went to pelvic floor physical therapy, but it wasn’t helpful, so I stopped after about 6 months. Even something like tretinoin gives me worse pelvic pain and ED. I have an Adam sensor that measures nighttime erections, and I usually only get one or two a night. Which is really really bad for a 30 year old male. While using tretinoin, it was even worse. I tried it again months later because I didn’t think it could affect me like that, but the same ED and pelvic pain came back. i don't know what to do at this point. I took fin for 4 months in 2019 when i was 22/23 for about 4 months and stopped because of ED. It got a little better but then slowly worse.

I'm having my windows and siding replaced on my house. We ended up going with a Mexican crew. Many of them don't speak English, so communication can be tricky sometimes.

The project actually started with a handyman, but we had to stop him because there were too many mistakes. He had already ordered the windows for us, and they ended up being flangeless, which made the installation process much harder. The window measuring person didn't say anything either and he saw the siding off the house. Anyway I should have paid more attention, but at the time I didn't even know there was a difference.

The new crew is good at siding, but they seem to be having trouble with the window installation. They installed two windows the first half day they were here, then the next day they worked on the siding. It's a more involved installed because the sheathing around all the window needs replaced etc.

What has me really stressed is that if I'm not there, I'm worried they won't install the windows correctly. I already had to make them restart the first one because they didn't have sill tape or properly flash the rough opening. They tried, but it was very, very poor. To their credit, they listened and fixed it well. But i had to guide them through it. They said they don't install windows but would have a "window expert" with them when we hired them. But it was just them. I think they will listen if i'm there but if not they might just side over it.

I'd really like to see each window before it gets covered up with siding. Is it normal to manage a project like this? Do people normally work from home or even take time off work to be there for something like this?

So we are getting new siding and windows installed on our house. The windows are already purchased. Everything else we need is the siding, gutters, soffit, fascia, etc.

We had about 10 contractors come out and give us quotes. Right now, about half of our house is down to the house wrap because we originally had a handyman doing the work. He was only going to replace certain walls, but there were too many issues, so we decided to start over. He basically only removed the siding, and that alone took weeks for him.

We had a few quotes around $50k–$56k to replace everything (not including paint). Then one quote came in at $33k. They said they have leftover Hardie siding from another project. It's pre-colored (not the color we want), but they said they can still paint it. From what I've read, that's okay.

Anyway, I still don't understand how it's almost half the price. I kind of grilled them on everything, staggering the siding, flashing behind the butt joints, using full-length boards, window flashing etc and they answered everything quickly and correctly.

It's a Mexican crew, and they're a newer company, so I figure that's part of it. I looked at there other work and it looked great so they seem good. But one of the $56k quotes we got was also using a different Mexican crew to do the siding anyway. They were out measuring our house one day.

It still just seems too cheap, even if we're getting the Hardie siding at a heavily discounted price because it's leftover material. They seemed more knowlegable than the more expensive bids. Like out of the 10 they were the best in answering questions how they would do things. They have a translator because they don't speak english.

it's a 2,200 square foot house with 18 windows (already purchased), we live in small mid west town. The price difference is so much i'm in disbelief, I originally thought this was close to $40k project but after the quotes it was going to be $63k including paint. I feel like the price difference is so big I would be dumb not to go with them though.

I'm considering getting trimix from olympia pharmacy. I'm really worried about getting a priapism though. I see in some subreddits people saying it's common and need to go to the ER. I'm a 29 male got ED from fin even after stopping and wanted to try trimix

I'm a 29-year-old male. I took finasteride when I was 22/23 years old for about six months.

Before taking it, I had no sexual issues at all. I had a very high libido, normal erections, and never had to think about sexual function. I was healthy, active, and felt completely normal.

I was aware that finasteride could cause side effects, but I believed they would go away after stopping the drug. At the time, I thought persistent side effects were extremely rare like just one guy in the world got it.

Within the first few days of taking finasteride, I noticed that my penis felt numb and cold. However, I could still have sex normally, so I continued taking it. I convinced myself it was worth it if I could keep my hair, and I was told by others that side effects often improve with time. I was at like 90% normal so I was fine with that.

After about six months, I reached a point where I could no longer get an erection. I stopped finasteride immediately, but things never returned to normal.

Since then, I have experienced persistent sexual side effects. Over the years, it feels like they have gradually become worse rather than better.

I've had extensive hormone testing done, but only after stopping finasteride. My testosterone is high, my free testosterone is high, and my DHT is slightly above the reference range. As far as standard blood work goes, everything appears normal.

My symptoms have been almost entirely sexual. PDE5 medications such as Cialis and Viagra used to help well, but they seem to be becoming less effective over time. At this point, even the maximum dose of Viagra only gets me to what feels like about 40% of my previous erectile function. Without medication, I feel like I'm closer to 5% of normal.

I've also developed significant pelvic floor pain and dysfunction. I've spent years trying stretching, strengthening exercises, and other approaches, but the area continues to feel increasingly numb.

What I struggle with most is understanding why things appear to be progressively worsening. I eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and do everything I can to support my health. Despite that, my symptoms continue to decline, and I don't understand why. I've been with the same partner the entire time etc.

I just found out about Dr Will Powers today and I'm a little more hopeful. But still worried like it just keeps getting worse for me.

I really only have sexual side effects. I haven't taken finasteride in 7 years but it seems like each year my erections get worse. Like cialis/viagra no longer work. I might have pelvic floor issues, i've been stretching/breathing for 3 years and that just seems worse too. My hormones all look really good on paper. Idk what to do.

I took finasteride 7 years ago when i was 22/23 for about 6 months. I was okay at first but the erectile dysfunction just slowly got worse. So I stopped taking it. I then started on ed medication and that worked well. Then after i got the first covid vaccine the ED really got worse, covid can cause ED so i assume the vaccine does a similar thing. Any way i'm almost 30 and my ED has gotten way worse. But even then it was still like not bad and 5mg cilias daily still allowed me to have sex once a day. But before this I had no issues. I've been with the same partner the entire time. We had sex daily. I get I was younger but it was like a night and day switch. At 23 it's not normal to start having erection issues. And now I still want to but just can't. I can take the max dose of Viagra and barely feel it now. I'm lucky if every few days i can have sex. I don't know why it's just getting worse. Like my penis has gotten way more numb and down to my pelvic floor now. I've been doing the pelvic floor stretches a few years. They seem to help some but not much. I've been to multiple doctors and just gave up. Nothing they did was helpful or anything you couldn't just read about online. Not sure what to do anymore.

I decided to try tretinoin for my skin. Then within like the second dose i got the same weird pelvic/floor penis feeling when i was on finasteride. I didn't really think it was related. Anyway i stopped. Then a few months later tried and same thing.. So I guess i can't use that either.

I know two linemen. Both make great money. One is on track to make over $300k this year in a small Midwest town (works probably 60-hour weeks), and the other will make at least $150k working about 45 hours a week. They both love their jobs. If I was starting over in 2026, the age of AI, I would 100% go into this. Every time you say anything about being a lineman, everyone talks about all the overtime and how hard it is. It's not for everyone, but I've worked harder jobs for minimum wage than being a lineman.

I used to work on roofs in the summer making $15/hr. The job was more dangerous, with no benefits, no union, low pay, etc. If you drive a vehicle for your work that's more dangerous than being a lineman. The union has made it a very safe job and the pay is great. I personally know linemen who work less than me and make more, at my cushy white collar job.

Then I even see comments like, "Union contractor JL out of St. Louis. Working 5 days a week, 8-hour days plus some overtime, and I’ll probably be at $140k this year." You can almost choose how much you make too. Like if you want a sane life work max 50 hours a week and make $150k. Want to make $300k+ work a ton. You can flex your hours. Some make $150k working 9 months out of the year. Most white collar jobs your salary is your limit and if you're lucky you can work 11 months of the year.

Most white-collar jobs making the same amount of money are working more than that. The white collar workers can be laid off at any time, less benefits. Go to the r/Lineman subreddit and look. Some are making $600k+. They love the job. It's not the easiest job in the world but the dollar for work its a great job.