Study Suggests Propecia Linked to Sexual Side Effects

Chicago, ILTwo studies suggest men are experiencing reported Propecia side effects including Propecia sexual dysfunction. According to the studies, Propecia side effects in men, which reportedly include erectile dysfunction and diminished libido, could persist even after Proscar and Propecia are discontinued.

The studies were published in the March issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine and were reported by CBS News (03/21/11). They suggest that men who take Propecia could suffer impotence or diminished libido. Furthermore, those side effects could continue years after the men have stopped taking the medication.

One of the studies published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine analyzed previous studies and found that a small percentage of men suffered sexual side effects including erectile dysfunction after taking Propecia. According to the study, approximately eight percent of men taking finasteride reported erectile dysfunction and 4.2 percent said they experienced reduced libido.

The findings led researchers to conclude that patients should be informed about the potential sexual side effects before beginning treatment with finasteride.

The second study, which involved interviewing men who reported sexual side effects after being exposed to finasteride, found that on average, men suffered sexual side effects for 40 months (just over three years) after discontinuing the medication. Researchers found that 94 percent of the men who reported sexual side effects developed low libido, 92 percent experienced erectile dysfunction, 92 percent experienced decreased arousal and 69 percent experienced problems with orgasm. It should be noted that those are the percentages of men interviewed, not the percentages of men who used the drug overall.

Similar to the first study, researchers concluded that physicians treating male pattern hair loss "should discuss the potential risk of persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride."

Propecia is used to treat hair loss. The active ingredient is finasteride, which is also found in a drug called Proscar. Proscar is used to treat swelling of the prostate.

Lawsuits have been filed in the US and Canada against Merck & Co., alleging men who used Propecia have suffered sexual side effects and mental and emotional problems, including difficulty with memory, loss of concentration and difficulty breathing. The lawsuits further allege that warning labels were not updated despite regulators in Europe demanding a stronger warning label on Propecia.