A small new study has linked the popular male pattern baldness drug Propecia (finasteride) with long-term erectile dysfunction, causing alarm among many men who use the drug.
The study made national news with distressing accounts of sexual problems and other disorders, even among men who stopped taking it. The study focused on only 54 men under age 40. It was published July 11 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
What about men who have been taking Propecia for months or years without much problem?
“I would not be overly concerned at this point,” said Nurse Karen, a clinical care nurse on JustAnswer. “If you have not and are not experiencing any side effects, I would not worry. If, at some point, further research discovers a HUGE problem, then you may want to discuss with your doctor.”
She continued: “Many times the media (and the lawyers) jump on the band-wagon when there are one or two minimal studies that indicated a problem in a small group.”
But a certain degree of caution is always wise. “Just be aware that ANY drug we take into or onto our bodies is a foreign substance and the possibility of serious and/or deadly side effects is ALWAYS present,” she said.
“The No. 1 question I tell people to consider is, ‘Is the possible risk worth the benefit?’ If you and your doctor determine that it is, then trust your choice.”
