If you’re a man, let me ask you a question: What would you think about taking a drug that reduces the hormone that men need for sexual function? Does that sound like a good idea?
The hormone I’m talking about is dihydrotestosterone. The drugs are dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar and Propecia).
New research is showing that these drugs double your risk of having issues in the bedroom. What's worse, in some cases the effect is permanent!
To do the study, researchers searched the available medical literature for reports of sexual side effects associated with finasteride and dutasteride. They found that about 8% of men taking the drugs reported erectile dysfunction, and 4.2% reported reduced libido. This was twice as often as the men on the placebo.
Some of the men also reported reduced ejaculation and semen volume and depression. And according to lead author Abdulmaged M. Traish, PhD, professor of biochemistry and urology, Boston University School of Medicine: “Almost everyone who takes these drugs experiences some of these side effects. But some experience it more drastically than others.”
The drugs are commonly used to treat enlarged prostates and male pattern hair loss, both of which can be caused by dihydrotestosterone. But there’s a downside to decreasing dihydrotestosterone. Men need dihydrotestosterone for erectile function, libido, ejaculation, and for just feeling good. In many cases, stopping the drug will correct the problem, but that’s not always true.
The study found that increasing numbers of men have ongoing sexual problems long after stopping the drugs. According to Dr. Traish, “I’m not worried about those who stop taking the drug and get their life back, [my concern is] about those who stop taking the drug, but they don’t get their life back.”
He adds that doctors need to inform their patients about these potential side effects. “As a physician, you have a responsibility to take the time and explain to your patient that maybe not everyone will have these side effects, but you may, and in some cases they are irreversible,” he said.
I have been prescribing these drugs for prostate cancer and male pattern baldness for years and have only seen the early signs of ED in one man. That cleared up after he stopped. So, even though the possibility of these complications is there, most men would rather take the risk than lose their hair or take even more dangerous chemotherapy drugs. That said, if you are dealing with the side effects of an enlarged prostate, see the recommendations on my website. My protocol works almost every time.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD
REF:
Reinberg, Steven. “Sexual side effects from Propecia, Avodart may be irreversible,” HealthDay News. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=140679.
Traish AM, Hassani J, et al. “Adverse side effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors therapy: persistent diminished libido and erectile dysfunction and depression in a subset of patients.” J Sex Med. 2011 Mar;8(3):872-84