Boston, MAStatistics from the UK and recent research from the US further indicate that Propecia is to blame for Propecia long-term side effects, namely sexual dysfunction. And it appears that men under 40 are most affected.
Propecia research
Propecia (finasteride) and Flomax (tamsulosin) are both used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Men who used Propecia to treat BPH experienced worsening erectile dysfunction (ED) that did not resolve with continued treatment, concluded researchers from Boston University School of Medicine. Their findings were published online in the journalHormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation (June 2015). In the study, 470 men given Propecia also experienced reduced testosterone levels leading to hypogonadism (little to no production of sex hormones). However, 230 men who used Flomax experienced none of these sexual dysfunction affects.
One of the study authors concluded that “Since sexual function is considered an integral part of overall health, it is important that physicians are aware of the adverse side effects of this class of drugs on human health in general and on sexual function in particular. Our study emphasized that the effect on erectile function is a serious concern and needs to be considered more carefully.”
In another study earlier this year, researchers from George Washington University found that “There are a significant number of men under 40 who experience ED. In the past, the vast majority of cases were thought to be psychogenic (psychological cause, not physical) in nature.” They found that “medications causing ED include antidepressants, NSAIDs and finasteride (Propecia), antiepileptics and neuroleptics.”
Hair loss statistics
The following facts (from belgraviacentre.com) could make your hair stand on end!
• Sixty percent of hair loss sufferers would rather have more hair than money or friends.
• The number of hair loss sufferers, worldwide, seeking professional treatment more than doubled between 2004 and 2008 from 361,077 to 811,363
• Roughly a third of hair loss sufferers would give up sex if it meant they would get their hair back. Of course they say that...
Men who will have noticeable hair loss by age 35 - 40 %
Men who will have noticeable hair loss by age 60 - 65 %
Men who will have noticeable hair loss by age 80 - 70 %
Men who have had surgical hair restoration
Ages 30-39 - 30.4 %
Ages 40-49 - 26.3 %
Ages 50-59 - 15.4 %
60 + - 7.1 %
More than 1 million men in the US have been prescribed Propecia since it was first introduced in the 1980s as a treatment for enlarged prostate. The FDA approved the drug to treat hair loss in 1997. But in June 2011, the agency required Merck to slap a new label on Propecia, warning that it may increase the risk of developing a serious type of prostate cancer. And another label change in April 2012 included warnings about “libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug.” However, the US labels were behind those of Sweden by at least four years. Swedish labels in 2008 warned of persistent erectile dysfunction after discontinuing use.
If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a drugs & medical lawyer who may evaluate your Propecia claim at no cost or obligation.