Propecia and Impotence

Question

Hi 

In March of 2002 and until June of 2002 I took Propecia to help in hair loss and the crown of my head.  The good news is that it worked.  The bad news is that it made me impotent - unable to attain or maintain an erection.  So in mid June I stopped using it.  However, the sexual side effects have continued.  Have you heard of this befoe and how long should these affects last and wht are possible treatments?

Thanks
J

righnote · Answer

Well, this is just an educated guess, but are you using the artificial sweetener aspartame... it causes both of your mentioned symptoms... hair loss and impotence.

Go to www.dorway.com and read Dr. Bowen's report... on impotence and aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)  

In 1995, the FDA was forced to reveal, under the Freedom of Information Act, 92 symptoms caused by aspartame.  No. 88 is change in sexual function.  change in hair or nails is No. 66. 

If you are a victim, you will quickly know if you have some other of the symptoms.  Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, sleep problems etc.

There is a support group. Surf to www.presidiotex.com/aspartame
***@****

ForumMD-Rockoff · Answer

Few if any of my patients on Propecia have experienced sexual side-effects.  The risk of impotence with this drug is very low.

There are many reasons for impotence, including fear that you've taken a drug that made you impotent.

You definitely should look into this, of course--perhaps with a urologist specializing in male sexual dysfunction.  However, at the end of the day you are not likely to learn that you've caused permanent problems from taking Propecia.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

Propecia and Impotence

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