For Men, Getting Propecia Help Can Be Embarrassing

Seattle, WAFor men who think they might need Propecia help because of Propecia side effects, the thought of talking to people about their concerns could be daunting and more than a little embarrassing. After all, first they have to admit they have used Propecia. Then, they may have to talk about issues such as Propecia sexual dysfunction, all of which could be hard to deal with.

Men who have used Propecia to limit hair loss might have been okay speaking with their doctor about the prospect of going bald. But they may not be okay with discussing some of the reported Propecia side effects. Those side effects include sexual dysfunction, loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, those side effects can potentially last for years. Despite Merck's claims that Propecia side effects resolve on their own, some men allege they suffered from sexual dysfunction for years.

Their claim may be backed up by warning labels from Europe, where Propecia's label states that the side effects could be irreversible. Worse, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (03/11) reports that up to 15 percent of men who take Propecia could suffer from side effects. Along with sexual side effects are complaints by some men that they suffered anxiety, insomnia and memory problems while taking Propecia.

Lawsuits filed against Merck, maker of Propecia, allege the company did not adequately warn patients about the severity of the potential side effects.

Meanwhile, Health Canada has issued a warning that Propecia could be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in men. Although Health Canada noted that it cannot be proven that finasteride (the generic form of Propecia) causes breast cancer, the possibility cannot be ruled out. A link was actually made between Proscar, a higher-dose version of Propecia, and male breast cancer, but because Propecia has the same active ingredient, Propecia is included in the warning.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its own warning about Propecia, highlighting a potential link between the drug and high-grade prostate cancer. As with the male breast cancer, the link was actually made between Proscar and high-grade prostate cancer, but Propecia is included in the warning.

For men who may have had difficulty just talking to a doctor about male-pattern baldness, speaking about sexual dysfunction, male breast cancer or prostate cancer could be horrifying.