Male patients taking the drugs Finasteride and Dutasteride may suffer serious sexual dysfunction complications.

The drugs are popularly used to treat benign prostate enlargement, as well as male-pattern baldness, and are found in brand name medications such as Proscar, Propecia and Avodart.

The medical journal Endocrine Reviews and Metabolic Disorders recently published a study as part of a collaborative research effort. The study was led by Dr. Abdulmaged Traish, professor of biochemistry and urology at Boston University School of Medicine.

Dr. Traish collaborated with other scientists to summarize the severity of sexual dysfunction complications allegedly inflicted by finasteride and dutasteride. The study analyzed both the physical and psychological side effects, and found that sexual dysfunction can remain even after discontinuing use of the drugs.

Finasteride and Dutasteride are part of the drug family 5a-reductase inhibitors (5a-RIs), which work by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to 5a-dihydrotestosterone (5a-DHT). This function is vital for reducing the size of the prostate, which improves the health of the prostate and improving urinary flow.

Overview of Sexual Dysfunction Complications

Finasteride and Dutasteride have been accused of causing sexual dysfunction complications such as erectile dysfunction, libido loss, ejaculation disorder, sterility, and the inability to maintain an erection. Some patients also experience psychological side effects, such as depression and anxiety.

According to Dr. Traish and his team of researchers, the sexual dysfunction can appear within the first six months of starting the prescriptions, with some subjects reporting that the symptoms continue even after discontinuing the drugs.

The researchers noted that the sexual side effects could be caused by other factors, such as the effects the drugs have on central and peripheral nerves. The scientists concluded that further research is needed to observe the side effects of Finasteride and Dutasteride.

In the meantime, the researchers suggest that there should be an increase in education and awareness of possible side effects associated with 5a-RI medications Dr. Traish noted that “there needs to be a method of distinguishing who may benefit from therapy from those who will not.”

The Finasteride products, Propecia and Proscar, have come under intense scrutiny in the medical community due to numerous injury reports of sexual dysfunction.

Millions of men have used Propecia to treat their male-pattern baldness. While only a small portion of patients have reported sexual dysfunction complications, these side effects have potentially serious consequences for quality of life and personal relationships.