Are There Any Side Effects To Using Propecia?
Contrary to the severe side effects associated with taking Propecia in the case of women, the drug is generally well tolerated in the case of men. The Food and Drug Administration described Propecia as having only infrequent side effects that effected only a small number of men. Results of the major studies conducted showed that a very small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects such as diminished sexual drive, difficulty in achieving erection, and decrease in the production of semen. Fewer than 2 percent of Propecia users displayed signs of each of these side effects.
It is notable that sexual side effects appear to be only temporary in the majority of cases. Not only did less than 2% of users experience sexual side effects, in more than 58% of these cases these side effects disappeared when Propecia usage was continued. This means that the only significant side effects known for Propecia are really only a factor in less than 1% of cases. In addition, these sexual side effects were reversible. In all cases when men complaining of these side effects stopped taking Propecia these sexual side effects disappeared.
Patients participating in the main clinical trials of Propecia were given a sexual function questionnaire to detect more subtle changes to sexual function. While differences regarding sexual interest, erections, and perception of sexual problems were noted by men taking Propecia for 12 months as compared to men taking the placebo, it was clear that these did not impact on sexual performance. Men taking Propecia and men in the placebo group did not indicate any significant difference regarding overall satisfaction of their sex lives.
While this short term prospective on Propecia is good, it must be emphasized that no one knows for certain its long-term effects. Propecia has simply not been around long enough to test its effects after decades of usage. At the same time it should be noted that the same can be said of the majority of common drugs now employed.