Propecia Side Effects Get New Name: Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)
By Andrea Gressman
There has been one report after another when it comes to the hundreds of men filing Propecia lawsuits against Merck, the drug’s manufacturer. However, there is a new clinical term that is being added to a number of these Propecia lawsuits that was not heard of until recently: Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS).
Propecia, which contains finasteride, was approved to treat men with male pattern baldness. Basically, it is supposed to help men regrow their hair. However, it has been reported time and time again that Propecia has led to the patient experiencing severe and often times permanent side effects. These side effects are now referred to as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS).
In most of the Propecia lawsuits it claims that Merck did not properly label the medication to reflect the actual side effect risks users and potential users would be exposed to. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently required Merck to adjust the warning labels to include the persistent and possibly permanent sexual side effects of Propecia that many users experienced even after they stopped using the medication.
The way Propecia works is by stopping the 5-alpha reductase type-II enzyme, which is what allows the testosterone to convert to the DHT hormone, also referred to as Dihydrotestosterone. DHT is what is responsible for causing men to experience baldness. By the DHT production being reduced, the male pattern baldness is then reduced. In theory this sounds like it will work perfectly. However, DHT is responsible for other essential bodily functions including the following:
- Boosting Fertility
- Keeps Estrogen levels in males balanced – when estrogen is not in balance it can lead to Gynecomastia (male breasts), which can lead to breast cancer.
- Maintaining Male’s Penis Size, Structure as well as Function
- Maintaining Male Libido
- Nitric Oxide Regulation
- Proper Function and Health of the Prostate Gland
Without the proper amount of DHT, the bodily functions listed above can be affected and that is why Propecia, which disrupts the production of DHT, is responsible for so many side effects.
Neurosteroids, another hormone, are also affected by Propecia. These are responsible for the mental health of an individual. This goes back to the 5-alpha reductase type-II enzyme and how Propecia inhibits the creation of THDOC (Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone) and THP (allopregnanolone), which are critical to the brain by providing benefits such as antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic. There have been studies that have shown that certain mental and behavioral disorders can be caused because of Propecia’s interference in the creation of these hormones such as anxiety, confusion, and depression.
With the reduced amount of DHT that Propecia causes it can cause the prostate gland to shrink and shrivel creating atrophy. That is when the prostate gland becomes involute and can lead to the following Propecia side effects:
- Cause Nerve Damage
- Cause Penile Fibrosis
- Decrease Penis Size and Weight
- Decrease Semen Output
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Post-Finasteride Syndrome
Many men have reported that the side effects they developed while taking Propecia continue long after they stopped taking the medication. This is because the hormone levels continue to be out of proper adjustment. It has been reported that if Propecia is used just a week it can still cause the side effects listed above to occur. The results of these side effects are now referred to as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS). Some of the symptoms of PFS include the following:
- Chronic Fatigue
- Cognitive Impairment
- Depression
- Emotional Blunting and Depersonalization
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Fewer Erections
- Loss of Libido
- Low Hormone Levels
- Memory Impairment
- Muscle Atrophy
- Penile Fibrotic Tissue Alteration
- Penis Shrinkage
- Sleep Disturbance
There have been hundreds of men who have filed Propecia lawsuits as a result of the side effects they have experienced. If you or someone you love has taken Propecia and developed one of the serious side effects listed above, including Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS), contact a Propecia lawsuit attorney right away. Visit the Propecia Loss of Sex Drive, Sexual Dysfunction Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page today to receive a free consultation with an experienced Propecia lawsuit attorney.
Updated January 17th, 2013
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