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Propecia Risks and Side Effects
Propecia® is one of two non-surgical hair loss treatments approved by the FDA. Many men have looked to Propecia to help them prevent hair loss, as the drug has been largely effective in preventing baldness. The drug is often used in conjunction with a hair transplant to maintain hair growth. As with many prescription drugs, however, Propecia does have risks and side effects.
Propecia and Sexual Side Effects
A small number of men may experience sexual side effects when on Propecia, including decreased libido, erection difficulties, and/or a decrease in semen. Clinical trials of the drug found 1.8 percent of men experienced a decreased sex drive, 1.3 percent experienced difficulty with erection, and 1.2 percent noticed a lower volume of semen during ejaculation. These Propecia side effects are generally thought to be only short-term, and fade after quitting Propecia, but a 2008 study by the Swedish Medial Agency stated that these Propecia side effects can persist after stopping Propecia.
Birth Defect Risks of Propecia
Propecia can have dangerous effects on male fetuses. Propecia manufacturer, Merck, advises pregnant women, or women who may become pregnant, not to come into contact with broken, wet, or crushed Propecia tablets. The active ingredient in Propecia, finasteride, is easily absorbed by the skin if the protective coating on the tablet has been dissolved or cracked. Exposure to finasteride can cause birth defects in the sex organs of male babies.
Other Propecia Risks & Side Effects
Merck lists the following as potential side effects of Propecia: depression; breast tenderness and enlargement; allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; and, in rare cases, male breast cancer. Additionally, taking Propecia can also affect the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test for the screening of prostate cancer. Propecia decreases PSA levels, so PSA levels falling within the “normal” range on the PSA test in Propecia patients may actually represent an increased PSA level. Users of Propecia should inform their doctors that they are on the medication (and all other medications they take, for that matter) so that PSA test results can be properly interpreted.
As with all medications, it is important to talk to your doctor about Propecia. Those who have liver disease, abnormal liver enzyme test results, prostate cancer, bladder muscle disorders, trouble urinating, or known strictures of the urethra should discuss with their doctor whether Propecia is appropriate for them. Hair transplant surgery is a more permanent solution to hair loss, but Propecia may be a great enhancement to this procedure. Speak to your hair loss specialist about your hair loss concerns, and he or she will help you decide whether Propecia is right for you.
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