According to Merck Frosst finasteride which markets under the name Propecia, is already known that about 8% of patients in the use of the drug would be affected by ADRs. However, these sexual disorders are persistent in 1% of users, say the authors of the study.
Scientists have therefore attempted to measure the magnitude of this persistence, involving 71 men aged 21 to 46 years, who were the cons of finasteride baldness (alopecia or).
Initial observations indicate that after making use of the drug for an average of 28 months:
- 94% of patients had reduced libido;
- 92% had erectile dysfunction;
- 92% experienced a decline in excitation;
- 69% have had problems with orgasm during ejaculation.
At least 20% of participants still had symptoms 6 years after ceasing treatment.
The researchers also observed a marked decrease in the frequency of sexual activity before and after the use of finasteride. They went from 26 to 9 times per month, respectively.
In addition, several participants reported suffering from anxiety or depression resulting from sexual dysfunction that afflict them. All said they had experienced a decreased quality of life in intimate relationships.
"The question for many patients is whether they will one day recover their sexual function," say the authors of the study.
Therefore they recommend that doctors who treat baldness or hair loss to fully inform their patients of the risks associated with finasteride.
Finasteride is an antiandrogen drug that is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostate cancer, as well as loss of hair (or hair loss).
