Sexual Side Effects of Propecia
Many people experience hair loss, thinning hair, or baldness at some point in life, and seek some form of treatment to help stop or reverse hair loss. Several different products are available, from "snake oils" to FDA-Approved products like Avacor Physician's Formulation®. Finasteride, which has the brand name "Propecia," is another treatment option. Avacor Physician's Formulation does not use Propecia as an ingredient for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is because Propecia usage often leads to some negative sexual side effects for men. The drug is not FDA-Approved for women to use, though women who do use it are also putting their health (and the health of future children) at risk.
Loss of Libido. Some men who have taken Propecia have reported a reduced sex drive. Propecia blocks androgen, a hormone similar to testosterone. Androgen is needed for men to have a healthy sex drive.
Erectile Dysfunction. Propecia might also cause erectile dysfunction in men. Again, this is due to reduced androgen levels caused by Propecia.
Lower Sperm Count. A study by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., concluded that Propecia can result in a lower sperm count in men than before they began using the drug. This can also lead to lower ejaculate levels. The study indicated that the sperm count decreased when Propecia treatment began, then increased in the months immediately after the test subject stopped taking the drug.
Depression. Depression is typically caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While it is not a sexual side effect, some people that have taken Propecia have reported increased symptoms or signs of depression. People who have already been diagnosed with depression should be especially careful with Propecia.
Some men who have taken Propecia also indicate that additional side effects include weight gain and muscle damage.
Side Effects for Women. Although the FDA does not allow prescribing Propecia to women to treat hair loss, some women still manage to get the drug to combat female pattern baldness or excess body and facial hair. However, the side effects can be even worse for women than men. Pregnant women should especially avoid Propecia; even touching the drug can be dangerous to the woman and child. Women who might become pregnant (i.e., most adult women) should use the same caution.
Professor Abdulmaged M. Traish from Boston University, who specializes in biochemistry and urology, indicated that almost everyone who uses Propecia to treat hair loss experiences some of these side effects, though the symptoms are more drastic for some than in others.
Perhaps the worst part about these side effects is that for some people, the side effects continue, even after Propecia treatment stops. Professor Traish called these prolonged side effects "a life sentence." With risks like these, you should consider seeking other treatment options than Propecia, such as Avacor Physician's Formulation.
The Importance of FDA-Approved Hair Products
We've all seen the term "FDA-Approved." But, do you know what it means? The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal government agency in charge of keeping the American public safe by regulating food, drugs, and medical devices. When a product or item is FDA-Approved, it has been rigorously tested and thoroughly inspected, and found to be both effective and completely safe for people to use or consume.
So, how does this relate to your hair?
Well, if you are experiencing hair loss, interested in hair restoration, or just curious about the process, you will undoubtedly encounter a wide variety of products to help stimulate hair growth. Many of these products are not FDA-Approved, which should be an automatic red flag. In other words, if a product is advertised to treat a medical condition, such as hair loss, but it does not indicate anywhere that it is FDA-Approved, then you should avoid using that product. You may be taking a major health risk using a product that is not FDA-Approved to treat any medical condition.
Avacor Physician's Formulation® is an FDA-Approved hair restoration product clinically proven to revitalize hair follicles and help you grow back your very own hair. The FDA has carefully tested and inspected how the product is manufactured, what ingredients are used, how much of each ingredient is used, how the product is stored and packaged, and how the product is administered. In other words, all aspects of Avacor Physician's Formulation production, including each ingredient, the bottling process, and the recommended dosage, have been deemed completely safe and effective for consumers to use for the treatment of hair loss, according to the FDA.
Unfortunately, some consumers continue to be tricked into buying "snake oil" products, or hair loss treatments not approved by the FDA. These products can cause unhealthy and unwanted side effects, such as acne, scalp hair loss, menstrual irregularities in women, irritability, and aggression, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian. The FDA also indicates other side effects of hair growth products that are not FDA-Approved include low blood pressure, heart palpitations and other cardiac symptoms, hair discoloration, sensitivity to sunburn, itching, rash, irritation, or stinging skin. "Snake oil" products are a waste of time and money. They also taint consumer's opinions of the entire industry, making consumers skeptical of all hair loss products, including the legitimate ones. Additionally, they can add more emotional stress in your life when you buy the product and it doesn’t work, and/or causes health problems.
The good news is that the FDA is starting to crack down more on snake oil salesmen and punishing people with fines and/or jail time for trying to sell hair regrowth products to consumers that are not FDA-Approved. However, consumers still need to be aware of the product they are buying.
The active ingredient found in Avacor Physician's Formulation is Minoxidil. Currently, the FDA has approved Minoxidil in two different strengths: 5% for men and 2% for women. The Avacor product has Minoxidil levels that adhere to these requirements. If the levels were anything different than the 2% and 5% required by the FDA, the product could not be advertised as FDA-Approved, and could be recalled by the FDA at anytime.
In January of 2012, the FDA issued a press release announcing the recall of some hair regrowth products because they were unapproved new drugs, and had high levels of Minoxidil that could cause health hazards to consumers. These products had Minoxidil levels between 10 and 15%. If you are currently using a hair regrowth product, be sure to check the Minoxidil level, and consider switching to Avacor's FDA-Approved Physician's Formulation, as well as other hair care products: the Avacor® All Natural Nutricap containing the active ingredient Saw Palmetto, which is widely thought to be a DHT inhibitor; Boost! by Avacor®, which is specially formulated to thicken hair from the very first application; and our Scalp Detoxifying Shampoo, which removes dirt and oil from the scalp, ensuring effective delivery of the Minoxidil to the scalp when applied after using the shampoo. Rest assured that all our products are manufactured in facilities that meet the highest safety and quality standards today. Furthermore, all our products are safe to use, and have been formulated to either help you grow a natural, full, healthy head of hair, or to maintain healthy, clean, and stylish hair.
Minoxidil Mini-Series: Part 5 – Benefits, Limitations, and Side Effects
This post will conclude the Avacor® Hair Regrowth Blog's five part “mini-series” on minoxidil, the first FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. Earlier episodes of the mini-series covered the early history of minoxidil, clinical trials showing its efficacy in treating androgenetic alopecia, and its approval by the FDA as a hair regrowth treatment. In this final segment we will highlight the benefits, limitations, and side effects associated with minoxidil.
Benefits of Minoxidil Treatment
Minoxidil products, such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® and Rogaine®, have helped thousands of men and women stop their hair loss and begin regrowing hair.
Several clinical trials have proven that minoxidil is able to prevent hair loss and regrow hair, with investigators observing hair growth in anywhere from 30-60% of patients (for details see our previous post on clinical trials). These studies also suggest that even if patients do not achieve noticeable hair regrowth with minoxidil treatment, they can at least stop losing hair and maintain their baseline hair count.
Minoxidil is the only hair regrowth medication that has been approved by the FDA for both men and women, unlike finasteride (Propecia®) which is only approved for use by men.
One of the other benefits of minoxidil is that it has not been associated with the sexual side effects experienced by some patients taking finasteride (Propecia®), such as decreased arousal and erectile dysfunction.1 For a description of the side effects that have been associated with minoxidil, keep reading for the section below on “Reported Side Effects of Minoxidil.”
Minoxidil’s Limitations
There is no magic cure for hair loss, so it is important to begin any hair regrowth regimen with accurate information and reasonable expectations. Minoxidil will not work for everyone; its effectiveness is limited to certain types of hair loss and the degree of hair regrowth experienced by each person will differ. In addition, minoxidil requires a consistent, diligent program of use to achieve maximum results.
Only Works for Certain Types of Hair Loss
The only types of hair loss for which minoxidil has been approved by the FDA are male and female androgenetic alopecia. Some studies have reported positive results for a small number of patients with alopecia areata, but the benefits have not been consistent enough to recommend widespread use of minoxidil for this condition.
Men: Minoxidil 5% topical solution, (such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® for Men) is only recommended for men with male pattern hair loss, and is not intended for treating frontal baldness or a receding hairline. Despite a conference presentation by the lead investigator of several early minoxidil trials suggesting that it is also effective in the frontal hairline area,2 the supporting data do not appear to have been published in any peer-reviewed journals or evaluated by the FDA. Patients using minoxidil should not expect to regrow hair in any areas other than the top of the scalp.
Women: Minoxidil 2% topical solution, (such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® for Women) is only recommended for women with female pattern hair loss (general thinning of hair on the top of the scalp). Minoxidil products are not indicated for hair loss that is sudden, patchy, or associated with stress or childbirth.
Minoxidil may not work for patients whose hair loss is too advanced. A general visual guide that shows the degrees of thinning hair for which minoxidil is most effective can be found on Avacor's product packaging.
Needs to be Used Consistently
In order to achieve the best possible results with minoxidil, it is essential to apply the topical solution regularly and consistently. The best way to do this is to commit to making it part of your daily routine, even if it's not your favorite part of the day. An analogy for this would be brushing your teeth: while no one particularly enjoys the act of brushing their teeth (at least that we are aware of), most people find the benefits are worth the little bit of time each day.
Like all good things, regrowing hair takes time. You may need to use minoxidil for at least 4 months before you see results, although you may begin to notice the effects as early as 2 months.
Continued use is necessary to prevent hair loss from progressing. One of the longest studies of minoxidil for male pattern hair loss (5 years) found that patients who continued to apply minoxidil twice per day were able to maintain nonvellus hair regrowth well beyond their baseline hair counts.3 Patients who stop using minoxidil will likely not maintain hair that has regrown during the course of treatment and will begin losing hair again.
Reported Side Effects of Minoxidil
More than 20 years after minoxidil was first approved for treating hair loss, the list of commonly reported side effects remains fairly limited. However, there are some rare side effects that should be watched for and taken very seriously.
Some of the most common side effects are:
• Localized scalp reactions or skin irritation (i.e., dryness, itching, redness and mild burning)
• GI discomforts (e.g., mild heartburn, nausea, constipation and diarrhea)
• Hair growth in other body areas (i.e., face, arms, back)
If you experience any of the following rare side effects, you should discontinue use immediately and consult your physician:
• Dizziness, light headedness, faintness, headaches
• Sudden unexplained weight gain, water retention
• Rapid heart beat or chest tightness/discomfort
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
In addition to these side effects, some people have experienced changes in hair color and/or texture.
If you have heart disease you should talk to your doctor before using minoxidil. Minoxidil may be harmful if used when pregnant or breast-feeding, should not be used by children under the age of 18, and should be kept out of reach of children at all times.
Conclusion
Thanks again for checking out the “Minoxidil Mini-Series” here on the Avacor Hair Regrowth Blog. We hope the information we have collected here has given you a better understanding of the history, benefits, and limitations of minoxidil and that it will help you choose the best course of action for regrowing your hair.
If you have any questions or would like to see more information on a particular topic, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
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1. Irwig MS, Kolukula S. Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride for male pattern hair loss. J Sex Med. 2011 Jun;8(6):1747-53. Link to Pubmed
2. Olsen EA, Whiting DA, Miller JJ. Increased Frontal Scalp Coverage and Frontal Hair Regrowth with 5% and 2% Minoxidil Solution. Presented at the American Academy of Dermatology 61st Annual Meeting, March 2003.
3. Olsen EA, Weiner MS, Amara IA, DeLong ER. Five-year follow-up of men with androgenetic alopecia treated with topical minoxidil. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Apr;22(4):643-6. Link to Pubmed
FDA: “Label Change – Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer” for the hair loss drug Propecia®
On June 9, 2011, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication1 about a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which includes the hair loss drug Propecia® (finasteride).
FDA Drug Safety Communication: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) may increase the risk of a more serious form of prostate cancer
[6-9-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing healthcare professionals that the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels for the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) class of drugs has been revised to include new safety information about the increased risk of being diagnosed with a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer). This risk appears to be low, but healthcare professionals should be aware of this safety information, and weigh the known benefits against the potential risks when deciding to start or continue treatment with 5-ARIs in men.
Two large clinical trials, known as PCPT and REDUCE, were conducted to assess the use of 5-ARIs for preventing prostate cancer. The PCPT trial raised concern at the FDA because patients being treated with finasteride had a slightly higher risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer than patients receiving placebo (1.8% versus 1.1%, respectively). It should be noted that although the title of the FDA's Safety Alert2 reads "Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer," the data on increased risk appear to relate only to the incidence of high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason Score 8-10).
While the “risk appears to be low,” the labels for drugs including Propecia®, Proscar® (finasteride) and Avodart® (dutasteride) are all being modified to warn patients of this potential risk. Propecia® is also associated with sexual side effects3 in some men, including less desire for sex and difficulty in achieving an erection.
The FDA has provided a page of Questions and Answers on the change in label information for 5-ARIs. Below are a few Q/A’s pertaining to the use of Propecia® for male pattern hair loss.
Q6. Does FDA believe the benefits of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) still outweigh their risks for the approved indications?
A. Yes. FDA believes that 5-ARIs remain safe and effective for their approved indications. Proscar and Avodart have been effective in controlling symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as in reducing the risks of acute urinary retention and the need for surgical intervention related to BPH. Healthcare professionals and patients are still encouraged to discuss the risks and benefits of 5-ARIs when deciding the best treatment for their disease.
FDA will continue its risk/benefit assessment of using 5-ARIs for the treatment for male pattern hair loss and will update the public when additional information is available.
Q9. Are there other medications to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or male pattern baldness?
A. Yes. Another class of medications called alpha-blockers is approved to treat the symptoms of BPH. Medications in the alpha-blocker class include tamsulosin (Flomax), doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and silodosin (Rapaflo). However, 5-ARIs are the only medications that have been shown to reduce the risk of urinary retention or surgery related to an enlarged prostate.
Minoxidil is a topical product that is available over the counter in various formulations to treat male pattern hair loss.
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1. FDA Drug Safety Communication: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) may increase the risk of a more serious form of prostate cancer. June 9, 2011.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm258314.htm
2. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs): Label Change - Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer. June 9, 2011.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm258529.htm
3. PROPECIA® labeling information, FDA website.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020788s018lbl.pdf
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