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Urology (Expert Forum)
PROPECIA AND TESTICLES
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
PROPECIA AND TESTICLES
by Wrestler123, Jan 25, 2006 12:00AM
Dear Forum Doctor:
(1) Can PROPECIA cause the testicles to shrink or affect a male's ability to have children?
(2) Will taking a half dose of PROPECIA be effective? Will taking a half dose reduce side effects?
(3) Is Merck disclosing all of the known side-effects of PROPECIA? Is there a reliable source on the side-effects of PROPECIA that is more in-depth than Merck's website? I am worried about long-term effects to my genitals and ability to have children.
(4) How does the adult male's body use DHT? Does DHT only cause male pattern baldness, or does DHT have other beneficial effects in the adult male?
Thank You.
(1) Can PROPECIA cause the testicles to shrink or affect a male's ability to have children?
(2) Will taking a half dose of PROPECIA be effective? Will taking a half dose reduce side effects?
(3) Is Merck disclosing all of the known side-effects of PROPECIA? Is there a reliable source on the side-effects of PROPECIA that is more in-depth than Merck's website? I am worried about long-term effects to my genitals and ability to have children.
(4) How does the adult male's body use DHT? Does DHT only cause male pattern baldness, or does DHT have other beneficial effects in the adult male?
Thank You.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 26, 2006 12:00AM
, Jan 26, 2006 12:00AM
To answer your questions:
1) I am not aware of these side effects being associated with Propecia. I looked at the PDR, and it does not list these side effects on the drug label.
2) Taking a lower dose will reduce side effects, but also would reduce effectiveness.
3) Here is the side effective profile from the PDR:
>10%:
Endocrine & metabolic: Impotence (19%; combination therapy 23%), libido decreased (10%; combination therapy 12%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Weakness (5%; combination therapy 17%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Postural hypotension (9%; combination therapy 18%), edema (1%, combination therapy 3%)
Central nervous system: Dizziness (7%; combination therapy 23%), somnolence (2%; combination therapy 3%)
Genitourinary: Ejaculation disturbances (7%; combination therapy 14%), decreased volume of ejaculate
Endocrine & metabolic: Gynecomastia (2%)
Respiratory: Dyspnea (1%; combination therapy 2%), rhinitis (1%; combination therapy 2%)
<1%, postmarketing and/or case reports: Hypersensitivity (pruritus, rash, urticaria, swelling of face/lips); breast tenderness, breast enlargement, breast cancer (males), prostate cancer (high grade), testicular pain
4) DHT production is necessary for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males at puberty. In adulthood, DHT helps in maintaining normal prostate function.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
1) I am not aware of these side effects being associated with Propecia. I looked at the PDR, and it does not list these side effects on the drug label.
2) Taking a lower dose will reduce side effects, but also would reduce effectiveness.
3) Here is the side effective profile from the PDR:
>10%:
Endocrine & metabolic: Impotence (19%; combination therapy 23%), libido decreased (10%; combination therapy 12%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Weakness (5%; combination therapy 17%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Postural hypotension (9%; combination therapy 18%), edema (1%, combination therapy 3%)
Central nervous system: Dizziness (7%; combination therapy 23%), somnolence (2%; combination therapy 3%)
Genitourinary: Ejaculation disturbances (7%; combination therapy 14%), decreased volume of ejaculate
Endocrine & metabolic: Gynecomastia (2%)
Respiratory: Dyspnea (1%; combination therapy 2%), rhinitis (1%; combination therapy 2%)
<1%, postmarketing and/or case reports: Hypersensitivity (pruritus, rash, urticaria, swelling of face/lips); breast tenderness, breast enlargement, breast cancer (males), prostate cancer (high grade), testicular pain
4) DHT production is necessary for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males at puberty. In adulthood, DHT helps in maintaining normal prostate function.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b