Propecia Libido

A study published in the March 2011 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine has confirmed what a number of recent lawsuits have already alleged: that there is a link between the hair loss treatment drug Propecia and loss of libido. In fact, twice as many men reported libido loss and other sexual side effects while being treated with Propecia compared to those taking placebos. Other side effects commonly reported in Propecia users include depression, reduced semen production and the growth of male breast tissue.

Free Propecia Libido Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has suffered from the loss of libido or any other serious side effects after undergoing treatment with Propecia, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.

Low Libido in American Men

It contradicts some of the basic cultural beliefs that we have, but the truth of the matter is that many American men may be waning in their desire for sex. In fact, many in the medical community estimate that a low sex drive affects at least 20 to 25 percent of adult males. It is much more common and culturally accepted for women to avoid sex, but it strikes terror into the heart of a man to think he may not be as interested as he once was, because a male’s sense of self is largely associated with his virility.

A number of variants can trigger the loss of libido including stress, illness, poor diet, lack of exercise and depression. Low libido can severely affect personal relationships and create tension between partners. Signs and symptoms of a lowered libido include:

• disinterest in sexual intercourse
• inability to climax
• avoidance of intimacy
• lack of sexual thoughts
• erectile dysfunction

Propecia works by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone thought to be primarily responsible for an enlarged prostate and baldness. In Propecia users, excess testosterone is converted to estrogen through a process called aromatization. This higher level of estrogen leads to a lowered libido and other sexual side effects in some men. These side effects were originally thought to cease once the dose of Propecia was discontinued. However, new information has found that not only can low libido and other sexual side effects continue after stropping treatment, they may in fact be permanent.

Propecia Libido Lawsuits

While a number of Propecia libido lawsuits have been filed around the country, there is speculation that many more men are suffering from similar problems, considering the fact that men tend to struggle with issues like decreased libido in silence. When sexual side effects occur, men may try to search online for a solution to the problem. Beyond that, however, consulting a doctor or lawyer about the loss of libido is often the last thing on their minds.

Various complaints claim that Propecia users were unaware that the finasteride they were taking would result in decreased libido and other sexual side effects. The Propecia website does note that a small number of men have reported Propecia sexual dysfunction, including “less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen,” states Merck. “These side effects went away in men who stopped taking PROPECIA [sic] because of them.”

However, this does not seem to be the case for some. There have been a growing number of reports that suggest some Propecia users have found their sex drive has continued to suffer long after discontinuing treatment with Propecia. There is no mention on Merck’s website that suggests Propecia side effects may persist after the drug is stopped. The implication, then, is that men experiencing loss of libido and other sexual side effects can stop taking Propecia and expect to fully recover.

Journal of Sexual Medicine Study on Propecia

A study published in the March 2011 edition of the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that the side effects of Propecia could actually be persistent or even permanent, and that the percentage of men experiencing these issues may be significantly higher than that reported by Merck. The research, which was conducted by an assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University, found that 94 percent of its study participants developed low libido and 92 percent developed erectile dysfunction. The average length of treatment with Propecia was 28 months, but the sexual side effects persisted for an average of 40 months after ceasing treatment with the drug. In 20 percent of the participants, sexual dysfunction persisted for five years or more.

Taking statistics like these into consideration, it may be likely that many Propecia side effects could be permanent. If you’ve suffered from low libido or other sexual side effects after being treated with finasteride for an extended period of time, contact our Propecia lawyers today. We can help you seek justice and financial compensation from Merck by filing a legal claim.

Do You have a Propecia Libido Lawsuit?

The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Propecia libido lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Propecia libido cases in all 50 states.