My Long Journey and The Ox Bile Treatment

Quick backstory: A few weeks ago, I had seen a few individuals on this subreddit theorize that Finasteride screws up the liver and negatively affects our digestion. One had mentioned that taking an ox bile supplement had not only aided their digestion, but that they also saw an improvement in other sides as well.

Intrigued by this, I decided to give it a try myself. This post explains my sides from Finasteride and findings with what I call "The Ox Bile Treatment."

I am a 6'4" 160~lb. male and was 25 when I started Finasteride and Minoxidil treatments. From June 2020 until October 2021, I was taking Finasteride on a daily basis. Additionally, I was applying minoxidil to my scalp sporadically, never exceeding two doses a day and not applying it in any set schedule. During this time, I did not notice any major side effects except for an increase in abdominal/visceral fat, lack of libido, and weak (almost non-existent) erections. Minor side effects included lack of vivid dreams, forgetfulness, and, oddest of all, my waste faintly smelling like minoxidil, which ultimately caused me to discontinue its use. This last side effect subsided as a result.

In March of 2022, five months after halting use of Fin., I regained a slight boost in libido, and was able to maintain an erection, albeit a slight one. This was the first time I noticed that my penis had what I describe as a "beat up" look to it. The girth was reduced, as well as the length. The circumference of the head was also slightly diminished. Sensationally, it felt like my erection was strained, a d that I had reached maximum length despite the unusual shortness. At the time, I chalked it up to me still recovering from Finasteride, and didn't worry too much about it.

I preface this next section with the following. I have always been a slightly moody person. There have been times that I will interact with other people minimally during large social gatherings. Additionally, I have always had a habit for depressive brooding when I am alone. I had these conditions pre-Fin, but they improved (though not necessarily subsided) as I got older.

In May of 2022, I had a particularly bad experience with traveling and had, for the first time in over ten years, a mental breakdown. I threw a tantrum, almost like a child, while internally realizing that this behavior was unusual for me. This was the first time I had noticed a mental side as a result of Post-Fin. I attribute this to the drug because there have been multiple instances thereafter where I was easily"set off" by the slightest annoyance. I felt like the joy had been sucked out of my life and replaced with anger.

The following month, I was now greatly concerned with my fat gain. What was once a sleek, slightly muscles abdomen had been converted into a fat lump of flesh. This and my hips were the only places to gain fat. Though this was easily hidden with my clothes, I still felt disgusting, which only made my mental state worse. As a result, I researched diets and settled on the Carnivore Diet, to help me regain proper body composition. This diet limited carbs, forbade sugar, and eliminated processed food from my diet. I am currently on this diet today, and have not cheated or strayed from it since starting.

In August of 2022, 10 months Post Fin and 2 months into a carnivore diet, I had the urge to begin masturbating again. Prior to Fin, I was masturbating on a daily basis, and my libido and lust knew no limit. On Fin, I ended up with high semen retention due to not caring about sex and having no urge to relieve myself. Deciding that the return of this feeling was a good thing, I indulged. But I noticed that my erection was still not quite as powerful as it once was, and its lifespan was reduced significantly.

From this point on, I began masterbation again on a once-a-week basis. In addition to this, my dreams had returned to their pre-Fin state, becoming vivid and entertaining once again. I attribute this part of my healing to the adaption of increased animal fat in my diet.

Last month, I had sex for the first time since starting Fin. While I had no problem achieving an erection just long enough to get the job done, it was still not very powerful, and not the size it was pre-Fin. Being 11 months off the drug, this caused me great concern. Since then, I began testing my erections through masturbation every other day. Twice during this period did I notice my penis nearly achieve its normal size, though not to maximum strength.

Finally, I came to this subreddit, concerned about the size of my penis being diminished, my weight gain and every other side effect that had yet to be resolved. I saw the mention of ox bile being used as a treatment, saw it was in alignment with what I had read about it regarding a carnivore diet, and decided to give it a try. For any time I ate a meal high in fat (I fast regularly and typically only eat dinner) I would take a combined supplement of bovine gallbladder and ox bile.

It has only been a few weeks since starting this regimen, but here are the results thus far: I feel my stomach moving again, working the way it should Instead of feeling like a lifeless doughy lump. Additionally, my mood has improved slightly and I find myself having the confidence and pleasantness required in social situations once again. Perhaps most significantly, my erections feel stronger than they did previously, and my normal length seems to be returning slowly but surely. This is accompanied by daily morning wood and slight sensations throughout the day that remind me that my favorite body part still exists.

I will update this thread with my findings as I continue both my diet and supplementation of ox bile.