Finesteride, a drug that is used to treat baldness as well as enlarged prostates, has been found to increase the likelihood of decreased libido, ejaculatory disorders and erectile dysfunction. The Boston Globe reports that researchers at Boston University who culled data from a number of clinical trials have calculated that about 15 percent of men who used finesteride–sold as Propecia– experienced decreased libido, ejaculatory disorders and erectile dysfunction compared to 7 percent of those who took placebos. The Globe reports that finesteride looks a bit less disturbing in three studies that looked at largely younger men who took a one milligram daily dose for hair loss — rather than a higher dose for enlarged prostate. In one trial, about 1.9 percent Propecia takers who took the drug for up to two years experienced a loss of libido compared to 1.3 percent of placebo takers; 1.4 percent of Propecia users had erectile dysfunction and 1 percent had an ejaculatory disorder compared to 0.9 and 0.4 percent of the placebo takers. The paper reports that 15 studies that looked at older men who took a five milligram daily dose for enlarged prostate had rates of libido loss and erectile dysfunction ranging from about 2 to 13 percent for libido loss and up to 16 percent for erectile dysfunction; placebo takers were about half as likely to have these conditions.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Saturday, May 31, 2025