Propecia, an orally administered drug approved for male-patterned baldness. It helps regrow hair in many men, that is a fact. The generic name is finasteride.
Propecia side effects, safety, danger
Although the maker of
prescription
medication Propecia denies serious side effects from the drug,
there are some Propecia side effects that have been reported. These include decrease in
libido, and a
decrease in general vitality
or wellbeing. These Propecia side effects occur gradually and
in a subtle manner, and many men do not realize it is occurring and forget how
they felt before they started Propecia treatment for hair loss. Another Propecia
side effect may be an increase in abdominal fat (increase in size of the belly).
To reverse the sexual dysfunction, one can consider natural
aphrodisiac plants
and supplements.
Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obesity. 2015. Safety concerns regarding 5α reductase inhibitors for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. To examine the clinical and basic studies regarding persistent adverse effects associated with 5α reductase inhibitor treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Recent postmarketing reports and a US Food and Drug Administration analysis have documented uncommon persistent sexual and nonsexual side-effects in a subset of younger men who have taken finasteride 1 mg for androgenic alopecia. While the mechanisms of the sexual side-effects in humans is incompletely understood, one study found lower cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, dihydroprogesterone and allopregnanolone, and higher levels of testosterone, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and pregnenolone. Another study found up-regulation of the androgen receptor in the human foreskin with a mean of 5 years after Propecia discontinuation. Studies of erectile dysfunction in finasteride-treated rats showed fewer autophagosomes in smooth muscle on transmission electron microscopy, increased apoptosis, decreased smooth muscle, increased collagen deposition and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Finally, 5α reductase inhibitors have also been found to alter semen parameters in healthy men. Multiple animal studies provide a biological basis for many of the persistent effects seen in humans such as erectile dysfunction, depression and decreased alcohol consumption. Prescribers of 5α reductase inhibitors should discuss the potential risks with their patients seeking treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
Testimonial on Propecia side effects, bad reactions
I think I am one of the sufferers from taking the drug Propecia. I was on it for
3 years, I have been off of it for 5 years and i am still having sexual side
effects to this day. The symptoms are erectile dysfunction, premature
ejaculation, loss of libido, not to mention it just feels numb down there, I
don't know what to do anymore, in order to have sex I supplement with a male
enhancement pill from the adult video store and take zytenz, is there anything
that I can take or do to cure my side effect symptoms from the drug propecia? I
can't seem to find any doctors with the knowledge of this drug and what to do to
help or cure my sexual dysfunction.
Propecia and women
When given in combination with oral contraceptives, Propecia can improve
female-pattern hair loss in most women. At present, the main treatment for
female-pattern hair loss is topical minoxidil, which is somewhat effective.
Whether treatment with agents such as Propecia, which show activity against
male hormones, might promote hair growth in women has been unclear. However a
research group reports in Archives of Dermatology, March 2006, that women with
female-pattern hair loss who were treated with Propecia in combination with
an oral contraceptive did report benefits. Propecia has been linked to birth
defects and that was the reason the women were given birth control pills. After
12 months of Propecia therapy, and out of 37 women treated, hair growth
improvements were rated as "great" in three patients, "moderate" in eight and
"slight" in twelve women. Thirteen women had no improvement and one patient
experienced a worsening of her female-pattern hair loss.
Hydradenitis suppurativa
JAMA Dermatol. 2013. Finasteride for the treatment of hidradenitis
suppurativa in children and adolescents. Propecia is a therapeutic option that
provides benefit for pediatric patients with HS.
Losing effectiveness
I am 34 years old and I have been on Propecia now for about 6 years. The
medication appears to be losing it effects over the past 6 months with a
deterioration at the hairline and at the crown of the head. I am concerned that
it has lost its effectiveness.
Questions
Q. I am currently taking Propecia, do I need to reduce my dose
if I am taking
Prostate Power Rx?
A. Perhaps you will need less of a dose but your doctor
is the person who makes the final decision since he or she prescribed the Propecia and knows your condition best.
Q. Can a person stop this medication cold turkey after
several years of use, are there withdrawal symptoms?
A. As far as I know, I do not think there are withdrawal symptoms.
Q. I was reading something on your website about Propecia and how it caused
one of the people to gain belly fat. I've been taking Propecia for 4 months and I've now
started to notice that my belly is just like always inflated for some reason.
I haven't gained a single pound but my belly is bigger than it used to be and
so are my breasts. I read on the Propecia website that breast enlargement was
one of the side effects, but can you give me some more information about the
belly increase. Do you think it's because of the Propecia and how exactly did
the Propecia work to make my belly bigger? Also I was wondering, when people
stop taking Propecia, do their belly go back to the size it was before
starting taking Propecia or not? And if not what can I do to return to what I
used to be because it doesn't feel like extra fat, it just feels like something
is like extremely inflated in my stomach.
A. I don't know the exact reason why Propecia may
increase abdominal fat, but perhaps blocking dht and maybe shifting to the estrogen pathway may lead to more
belly fat? It's quite likely that symptoms would reverse a few weeks after stopping the
Propecia.
Q. I am a 26 year old male and have been taking
Propecia treatment for 7 months. I understand women are not to be exposed to Propecia
concerning possible birth defects in born children. Is there any risk to the
female through intercourse with a male who is currently using Propecia ie
detectable amounts through the semen? I'm simply concerned that my Propecia
useage will hinder any hopes of having healthy children.
A. We don't have any good information on the role of Propecia
ingestion in a male and subsequent childbirth. Our first thought would be to be
on the safe side and to discontinue Propecia usage several months before
insemination.
Q. I thought I would give Propecia a
try as I seem to be
losing hair more than ever (I am 52). As you must know, "Propecia prevents
the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT
is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and
hair loss."
I've heard that Propecia works, but once you stop taking it, then over a short
time, I would lose all the hair that that I would of lost had I not taken
Propecia. I will take your advice on taking a portion of Proscar 5 mg, as I found out that there is
no generic and that my drug plan does not cover Propecia and can't afford the
$1000/year.
I know from your readings that you are against messing with hormones like testosterone, but is this
one OK, I didn't see any cautions against it and I am already taking
Prostate Power Rx.
A. Side effects of Propecia that some people notice include a
reduced sex drive, perhaps slight loss of vitality or the 'magic of life,'
perhaps increased abdominal girth, and unknown long term side effects. Hair loss
could return full force once the Propecia is stopped. It is a difficult
decision, and each person needs to determine the benefits versus risks for
themselves.
Q. I had a question about a hair loss issue that’s been
bothering for the last year. I began losing hair when I was about 18 years old
and I wanted to do something about it. I began taking Propecia immediately and
everything was working fine. I had regained the little bit of thinning that had
started to occur. After about 4 or 5 months of taking Propecia, I stopped taking
it because I thought it was causing me stomach problems. After about 3 or 4
months, I realized that it wasn’t Propecia that was causing my stomach problems
and therefore started taking Propecia again. The medication began working again,
until about 4 months after when I had a very large hair shed. I didn’t know it
was a sign that the medication was working and therefore due to my panic stopped
taking Propecia for about 2 or 3 weeks. After I did some research and realized
that this was a good sign, I began taking Propecia again, but then I also found
out about Avodart and began taking that in conjunction with Propecia. It’s been
almost three months of taking both Propecia and Avodart and although my hair
doesn’t nearly as much it first began, I still have some hair falling out. For
example when I shower, I find 10-20 hairs in my hands. The problem that I’m
having lately though is that I feel all these effects on my skin. My skin has
always been very sensitive and I’ve been noticing skin darkening in some areas,
dry skin and sort of like rough spots like a mini rash. Also on my face I’ve
been developing, not acne, but my skin is getting rougher with a very light
degree of acne. I’ve read that some of Avodart’s side effects include rash, and
side effects to the skin, which concerns me. I’ve also read of people who took
Avodart and they said that it caused a lot of shedding and it
ruined their hairline in the first few months, but after 8 or 10 months they
said it worked so well they called it a miracle drug. I want these results but
I’m concerned about the side effects. My 3 months supply of Propecia is almost
over and I was thinking of just sticking with Avodart for the next few months.
Will this have negative results on my hair loss? Also should I stick with
Avodart or is there a chance that the shedding was just a sign of not working?
I’m just wondering if the shedding lasts this long. Ultimately I want to stop
taking Avodart and use Propecia but now I’m afraid that if I do, all the hair
that I’ve lost won’t come back because Propecia is not as strong as Avodart. Am
I correct in assuming this? Or should I stick with Avodart until I see the great
results that people have experienced and then switch to Propecia because its
side effects aren’t as potent. Or are there any other alternatives for me? I’m
very sorry to write such a long e-mail and ask so many questions, but hair loss
has been such a big problem for me that it’s caused me depression at times.
A. We understand your frustration but we can't give individual
advice. It is a long term concern to use both Avodart and Propecia since we
don't know the powerful blockage of DHT will do in the long term for overall
health. We prefer people use one medication at a time or perhaps alternating
them. Your doctor and you have to make the final decision.
Q. Can you tell me if Propecia can work for women who
have had hysterectomies. I have had hair loss from cancer treatment (I assume
its from that as there has been no other reason drs can find). i am getting on
Propecia as my dr said it wouldn't interfere with Arimidex and i've had a
hysterectomy so no worries there.
A. We don't know.
Q. I am 28 years old, last year I took Propecia for about 15 days, and
during those 15 days, something really weird happened. my testicles were shrunk
as if I was sitting in cold water, and it was even hard to pee, and I felt
really depressed. Then I realized it might have been Propecia that was causing
it, so I stopped. The doctor who had prescribed it to me had also prescribed
several vitamins for hair growth, and several anti-biotics to kill some germs or
so. I stopped those also. The situation went back to normal. But for some
reason, now I am thinking about it, it seems like I am not where I was sexually
before I took Propecia. Since then, I feel that I am not having as strong
morning erections, and also I also had some problems with my girl friends. I
used to get an erection just by kissing or just by the thought of being with my
girl friends, and now I need to concentrate and work at it. I randomly
discovered that 2 things help me: Yohimbe and
DHEA hormone pills. Sometimes, when I take
these pills, in the morning or during the day, I have the same kind of erections
I used to have before I took Propecia. And I think the best one is when I take
DHEA and yohimbe together.
This makes me think that the situation probably is not psychological or because
I am getting old or anything but must be due to Propecia. I am still losing my
hair, which seems to me that I still have the same levels of testosterone.
A. It is possible that Propecia decreased the testosterone
conversion to DHT and lowered sex drive and sensation, along with inhibiting
erectile function.
Q. Q. I was thinking of taking tongkat ali because of
decreased libido from taking Propecia for a long time. Since you do research on
herbs, i was curious to know if there are herbs or anything natural other than
Propecia and Minoxidil to stop hair loss and regrow hair.
A. See the link for hair at the top of the page.
Q. I am a woman and my doctor prescribed Propecia as i have had a hysterectomy
but I didn't see any improvement so i stopped it, yet i worry what I've read that
if you stop Propecia, the hair loss make get worse.
A. This is a good question. We don't know for sure if hair loss becomes worse after
stopping Propecia but it is likely that certain hairs that were just hanging on
due to the effect of Propecia may now fall out easier and shedding may continue
at a faster rate initially.
Q. I have a quick question about something i recently
read on your website regarding the drug propecia and its sexual side effects.
You said (These Propecia side effects occur gradually and in a subtle manner,
and many men do not realize it is occurring and forget how they felt before they
started Propecia treatment for hair loss. Another Propecia side effect may be an
increase in abdominal fat (increase in size of the belly).) I Was wondering
where you got this information and if you have had any patients that have
reported this from the use of propecia. I have read nowhere else online about
this happening. From what I understand the sexual side effects are extremely
RARE , not much different from the placebo group , they happen within the first
month of use in those who do get them , and generally resolve with continued
treatment. This is the opposite of what you said. I have never read or heard of
anyone gradually getting these side effects over time. I am greatly concerned
now and I was just curious where you came across this information. Also I have
never heard of an increase in belly fat from propecia either. If this does occur
because of an increase in estrogen , how effective is zinc at blocking the extra
estrogen to avoid this as well as gynecomastia?
A. These Propecia side effects are based on my clinical experience
with patients.
Q. I want to report an interesting Propecia side
effect. I came across your web page while researching side effects of
Propecia use. I've been on Propecia drug for 7 weeks exactly, and I do not
notice any sexual or physical side effects at all. However, I do notice one
mental side effect -- tripping over words. Normally, when I spoke before taking
Propecia medication, it was usually pretty fast, witty, and it came across
very smoothly. I never thought about speaking. Now, I seem to be thinking much
more and I'm tripping over words. Also, I don't seem to come up with dry humor
as quickly. Interesting, I also started drinking a lot of soymilk since starting
Propecia as well as using saw palmetto / pygeum, and soy protein powder. I
also stopped regular milk intake. I'm at a crossroads here. It seems I have to
choose between hair loss and speech.
If I stop Propecia, (I've been taking it for 7 weeks), will the
side effects go ahead completely? Also theoretically, if I was taking Propecia
for 15 years, would the side effects go away completely if stopped then?
A. It is possible that a propecia side effect could include
memory or cognitive impairment due to disruption of optimal testosterone / DHT
function in brain tissue. I suspect Propecia side effects would reverse
completely if stopped after only a few weeks of use, but my best guess is that
some Propecia side effects would persist if this product is taken for more than
a decade or two.
Q. I take Proscar ( propecia ) 1.25 mg. Are there any
problems combining Proscar with Passion Rx?
A. There are many factors that have to be considered when combining
medications and herbal products. We have not come across any obvious
interactions or side effects when Proscar propecia is combined with Passion Rx,
but the final decision rests with your doctor.
Q. Can I take both Propecia and tongkat ali at the same
time? I have been taking Propecia now for about 4 years and I just received my
order of tongkat ali. Will tongkat ali
affect Propecia to where it doesn’t work? Also should I just not take the
tongkat ali? I would really like to be able to take it and see if it works, but
not if it reduces the effect of Propecia.
A. We have not seen any studies regarding the combination of
Propecia and tongkat ali or other herbs used for sexual improvement. Tongkat ali,
as a general rule, is not taken every day. Most people take this herb two days
on, and two or more days off. It is up to your health care provider to determine
whether tongkat ali or any other supplement is appropriate for you.
Q. How long will it take for any side effects of
propecia to show up? I've read side effects of Propecia can occur anywhere from
30 days to two years.
A. Each person is different, for some it could be as quick as a
month, for others much longer, and still others may not notice any Propecia side
effects since they may occur in such a subtle manner over time that one could
overlook them.
Q. I read that Passion Rx may reverse the sexual or
libido loss from the use of Propecia. Are there single herbs that can also help?
A. Passion Rx, along with certain individual sex herbs as found in
Passion Rx can help. It's difficult to predict which individual herbs ones will
work in any one person. Some to try include mucuna pruriens, tongkat ali, horny goat weed, tribulus, muira puama, and catuaba.
Can you tell me if the affects of Propecia on
testosterone are the same in each man? I have not had any problems with
erections etc…. and I was wondering if my testosterone level could still be
fairly high. Is it different for different men? I am 53 and have no problem, but
I do not want a problem in the future.
Yes, different men will react differently to the effects of
this medication. It is possible that the impotence effects could become more
noticeable over time, especially since there is a natural decrease in
testosterone levels in men with aging.
I was hoping you can help me with this question that I
have been stuck with. I currently take Propecia and just recently bought an
herbal product called Active Herb Vive. The main ingredient in the herb is He
Shou Wu. My concern is, I hear herbs may interfere the effectiveness of
prescription drugs. As you're very knowledgeable in this arena, would it be ok
to take these 2 products together?
I am not aware of any studies that have combined the medication and
the herb, but I don't suspect any major negative interactions. Each person is
unique in their response.
I have just discovered this week, that I have been overdosing on DHEA (50mg applied topically daily with bio-identical hormones estrogen and testosterone) (the pharmacy misread or misunderstood the doctor’s dose of 25mg per day (as if this wasn’t enough) and doubled the amount. I have been having hair thinning for a year (thank goodness, I have a lot of hair). I suspended the Dhea and was thinking taking Propecia for a couple of months to perhaps help restore my hair. Does the DHT linger or remain in scalp after it was created by the body because of the excess testosterone due to excess DHEA that was consumed?