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Does The Long Term Use Of Xpecia Finasteride Have An Effect On Libido?
Question: my hair have become very thin i am 27 years old,its from the hereditary my father his father no one had hair more than 35 years i approached a dermatologist, i been told to apply morr f 5% morning and night with tab xpecia(finasteride), alobical in the night, i know its a slow process , i am with the treatment for almost three months till today, my question's that the side effects of xpecia Finasteride may cause decreased sexual desire or ability (eg, decrease in sex drive, problems with ejaculation, difficulty in achieving an erection). If this occurs, it may continue after you stop the medicine. If you develop decreased sexual desire or ability that continues or becomes bothersome, after reading this i am bothered ,, waiting for replay should i continue with the treatment
Brief Answer:
Need to weigh risk and benefit from drug use
Detailed Answer:
hi,
I can understand the concern you must be having regarding the use of finasteride.
well, research studies suggest the incidence or the chances of having sexual dysfunction is around 5-8 percent, which tended to occur early mostly by 3 -6 months of treatment. Difficulty in erection being most common, followed by ejaculatory and decreased libido problems.
Research also suggest that psychological cause is often a reason for sexual dysfunction, esp in individuals who continue to dysfunction even on discontinuation of the treatment.
Sexual problems are known to reverse to normal within months of discontinuation of the drug in most of the patient(which is supported by theory, as the normal action of Androgens should restore on discontinuation of finasteride). However there are cases that reports to persistence of dysfunction despite the discontinuation of drug, no really data is available on this one.
Though mostly the reversals is symptoms is observed.
Itvis suggested if one doesn't find improvement is baldness problem by 6 months , he may benefit less from the use of drug.
I would suggest, considering the risk and the benefit one will need to weigh and decide the use of drug.
In case you are using it, look out for the symptoms of dysfunctions, so that the drug can be discontinued.
welcome for further queries
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
Need to weigh risk and benefit from drug use
Detailed Answer:
hi,
I can understand the concern you must be having regarding the use of finasteride.
well, research studies suggest the incidence or the chances of having sexual dysfunction is around 5-8 percent, which tended to occur early mostly by 3 -6 months of treatment. Difficulty in erection being most common, followed by ejaculatory and decreased libido problems.
Research also suggest that psychological cause is often a reason for sexual dysfunction, esp in individuals who continue to dysfunction even on discontinuation of the treatment.
Sexual problems are known to reverse to normal within months of discontinuation of the drug in most of the patient(which is supported by theory, as the normal action of Androgens should restore on discontinuation of finasteride). However there are cases that reports to persistence of dysfunction despite the discontinuation of drug, no really data is available on this one.
Though mostly the reversals is symptoms is observed.
Itvis suggested if one doesn't find improvement is baldness problem by 6 months , he may benefit less from the use of drug.
I would suggest, considering the risk and the benefit one will need to weigh and decide the use of drug.
In case you are using it, look out for the symptoms of dysfunctions, so that the drug can be discontinued.
welcome for further queries
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
thanks for the concern,
i dont know weather i have the symptoms of dysfunctions its just from the mind, because i am geeting married on march 2nd thats the reason i am little concerned that it shouldnt affect my marriage life,
you want me use for six months period and decide,
its been 3 months till today i am on the treatment not much of an improvement the dermatologist advised me to shave the head thrice on 15 day intervel is that necessary,
apart from this
the dermatologist ask me to wash the scalp every day with ketafung anti dandruff lotion
is it ok to wash the scalp every day
if i wash my scalp every day i dont feel itching if i leave it for a day or 2 the itching happens,
is it ok 2 apply coconut oil on the scalp if i do apply and wash my hair i can see more hairs shed,
and at last give me a confident in case of dysfunctions it can be reversible
i dont know weather i have the symptoms of dysfunctions its just from the mind, because i am geeting married on march 2nd thats the reason i am little concerned that it shouldnt affect my marriage life,
you want me use for six months period and decide,
its been 3 months till today i am on the treatment not much of an improvement the dermatologist advised me to shave the head thrice on 15 day intervel is that necessary,
apart from this
the dermatologist ask me to wash the scalp every day with ketafung anti dandruff lotion
is it ok to wash the scalp every day
if i wash my scalp every day i dont feel itching if i leave it for a day or 2 the itching happens,
is it ok 2 apply coconut oil on the scalp if i do apply and wash my hair i can see more hairs shed,
and at last give me a confident in case of dysfunctions it can be reversible
Brief Answer:
It's continuation should be discussed with Your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the reply.
If you have been using it for three months with no positive effect, in that case it's continued use can be discussed with your treating dermatologist.
Regarding the sexual side effects, it can appear during any time of the treatment, however most commonly known to be reported within first six months. Therfore, the risk would still persist with its use even beyond six months.
Regarding the use of anti-dandruff shampoo and ketoconazole, again it's indicated in seborrhoea and I would suggest to follow your treating dermatologist advice.
Applying coconut oil would make no harm, however it's utility in improving hair fall is questionable.
I would advice you to discus the continuation of finasteride with your treating.
Hope to have satisfied your queries.
Welcome for further opinion.
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
It's continuation should be discussed with Your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the reply.
If you have been using it for three months with no positive effect, in that case it's continued use can be discussed with your treating dermatologist.
Regarding the sexual side effects, it can appear during any time of the treatment, however most commonly known to be reported within first six months. Therfore, the risk would still persist with its use even beyond six months.
Regarding the use of anti-dandruff shampoo and ketoconazole, again it's indicated in seborrhoea and I would suggest to follow your treating dermatologist advice.
Applying coconut oil would make no harm, however it's utility in improving hair fall is questionable.
I would advice you to discus the continuation of finasteride with your treating.
Hope to have satisfied your queries.
Welcome for further opinion.
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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