Young, healthy and… bald? It’s not quite the picture most twenty and thirty-something men have in mind when they are living what are supposed to be some of the best years of their lives. For single men out on the dating scene, losing hair can deliver a devastating blow to their self-esteem. Since hair represents youth and vitality, men who lose their hair may worry that they look old and weathered as they are just beginning to truly live life.

Enter Propecia, which promises a fuller head of hair for the cost of a pill. Propecia is the only oral medication for hair loss that the FDA has approved for male-pattern baldness. Looking to gain back what once was lost, many men have eagerly decided to take the tiny pills in hopes that they can retrieve their youth. However, the pills may come with side effects, including sexual dysfunction, that could be troublesome for men.

The Promise of Propecia

Propecia (finasteride) is a drug that treats a common affliction known as male-pattern baldness. The pattern of baldness includes a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head. The hairline gradually moves backward, forming an “M” shape, then as more hair is lost, it creates a “U” shaped pattern of hair around the head. This particular type of baldness is caused by genetic predisposition and hormones.

At a cost of $2 per day, Propecia isn’t cheap, but is not out of reach for many men who want to look younger. Because Propecia treats a cosmetic condition and not one related to physical health, it is typically not covered under most insurance plans.

Unintended Consequences of Propecia Use

Many men have success with Propecia and have a full head of hair and the confidence to do what they want in life. They then decide to stop using Propecia, feeling that it has given them what they were looking for. Not long after stopping the medication, however, they find out that they may have traded one problem for another.

Men have reported experiencing sexual dysfunction associated with Propecia. Some men first noticed issues while taking Propecia, but most who experienced these unwanted side effects only noticed them once they stopped the drug.

The Propecia sexual problems include:

• Low sexual desire
• Decreased arousal
• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced ejaculate
• Shrinkage and numbness of the penis and scrotum
• Dulled orgasm

As if the sexual problems aren’t bad enough, Propecia has been reported to cause additional physical, neurological, and emotional symptoms as well, including:

• Gynecomastia (male development of female-like breasts)
• Fatigue
• Muscle atrophy, weakness and twitching
• Skin issues
• Metabolism issues
• Insomnia
• Depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide
• Impaired memory and cognition

It is believed that Propecia disrupts the endocrine system, causing sexual dysfunction. The collection of sexual symptoms and Propecia side effects even has its own name: Post Finasteride Syndrome, or PFS.

While the PFS side effects may diminish in a few days or weeks, some men experience these devastating side effects for months or even years. Merck, the manufacturer of Propecia, has updated the label and includes a package insert listing some of these side effects. However, for those who have had their lives altered from the drug, they feel the damage has been done, and the new packaging is “too little, too late.”

Propecia Lawsuit Information

If you have suffered side effects from Propecia or from discontinuing Propecia, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Lawyers are available to provide a no-risk and confidential consultation to discuss your situation.