The hair-raising side effects of a baldness drug

Most men who have hair transplants or take drugs to combat baldness do it for one reason: they think they look better with hair. I’m sure there are many men who want to look better simply for themselves. But I’m betting that the majority of men are trying to look better to potential mates.

And that’s what makes the news about Propecia causing possibly permanent sexual side effects incredibly ironic (and by “sexual side effects” I mean erectile dysfunction, impotence, and more).

A new study by researchers at George Washington University looked at 54 men under age 40 who had taken Propecia. None of the men had had any sexual, medical, or psychological problems before taking the drug. But after taking the drug, all of the men experienced side effects such as ED, decreased sex drive, trouble have orgasms, shrinking or painful genitals, and even a few taking place above the waist, like depression, anxiety, and muddled thinking. Oh, and 96 percent of the guys said their sexual problems lasted for more than a year after they quit taking the drug.

Lead researcher, Michael Irwig, said, “Our findings make me suspicious that this drug may have done permanent damage to these men.”

So you’ve got to ask yourself: Exactly how much is having a full head of hair worth? If you’re considering Propecia, you may have to choose between being bald and still being able to ball, or not being bald and not being able to get balled either.

Read a bit more about the study here.

Armin Brott

View posts by Armin Brott
Armin Brott is the proud father of three, a former U.S. Marine, a best-selling author, radio host, speaker, and one of the country’s leading experts on fatherhood. He writes frequently about fatherhood, families, and men's health. Read more about Armin or visit his website, mrdad.com. You can also connect via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,  and Linkedin.
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