A question for the men out there

[DoubleDose]

I am curious about the effects of HCV and Tx on sexual function in men.  Various articles have described erectile dysfunction and low libido as a result of HCV, interferon tx, and/or liver damage.

The biggest factor seems to be the HCV itself, and several controlled studies have been done looking at variables like liver damage, viral load, interferon history, etc.  It seems that about 35% to 40% of men with HCV have regular erectile issues, regardless of the other factors.  Duration of infection may also be a factor, and has only been studied in small groups.

What has been the experience of the male population on this forum?

Has interferon made any existing problems worse?  Or has interferon initiated sexual problems, if you had no problems before tx?  After ending therapy, have any sexual dysfunction problems changed significantly?

This issue gets little attention in the literature, and deserves more study, I believe.  

Responses are appreciated.

DoubleDose

[jmjm530]

I thought your doctor also told you that given your hgb, etc, you were putting your heart in jepordy, plus didn't he also say something like the rewards of extending past 24 weeks are outweighed by the risks. This is a pretty common statement by hepatologists and to me it acknowledges the real risks of the treatment drugs. If there was only a rare chance of permanent sides, then I think doctors would be more likely to treat longer.

[GoofyDad]

<i>goof, I never said that meds are benign, none of them are, or for that matter even food is not benign.</i>

OK. I'll clarify my position. I believe these meds are a lot harder on ones body and soul than food. Wait, better narrow that a bit. Make that meds as normally prescribed and food as normally consumed by sensible human beings in the daily course of their lives. A Hemlock salad would not be a fair comparison.

Cuteus, we obviously have a different bias towards when tx is appropriate, and that's OK. In my case, I could have chugged along quite happily w/o tx, had my liver not headed towards Hell in a handbasket. If I had the opportunity to wait for friendlier treatments, I most certainly would. Others would not. To each their own.

[cuteus]

like snook asked; 'where is the beef"? no pun, DD.
Are you shielding behind the statement that the big bad pharmas do not want anyone to know the bad long term effects? if that is so, why bother to list the warnings in the inserts? and yes, I did read each one of them, and I also read that they are obligated to disclose ANY sympton the subjects experienced during the trial, whether they thought it was related to the meds or not. And they have to print it also. I guess you have to look at the % with the placebo to reason if they are a true side effect.  
Andy where are you with that article/parody on the placebo?
You will not find a breakdown by liver damage in most of the studies out there, so you can not make a statement for extrahepatic signs by stage, you can not deny it either.  So, if you are going to accept anecdotal info to back the long term effects, why are you stopping at extra hepatic symptoms? a double standard at best.
saying to people 'you can't possibly be feeling hcv in your body at stage one, is like telling people with the cold virus that they should not be feeling any symptoms because the cold virus is not lethal. Please!
Any invading organism, that the body perceives as an attack, will yield a response, and that response will make you feel ill. Or are you denying the most basic immune response of fever, fatigue, etc?  
guess who?
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    

[mikesimon]

It affected me. It didn't for the first round of TX because I remember the transplant people getting freaked out that Karen and I were not using protection. They weren't worried about the riba cause Karen was on the pill. They were worried about the organ and if they might have missed something there. That freaked us both right out after hearing their tales and fears. The second round of TX may have depressed me a bit bit I don't recall being that concerned. My last TX was the one - I was without hardly any drive for the 73 weeks of TX and for a while thereafter. I was just really getting back to normal when I wrecked my bike and that put an end to that recovery. But time has passed and my drive began rearing its ugly head again & today is a new day and I got that SuperBowl feeling. Mike

[honey11]

In response to your question on men, my husband completed 52 weeks of tx 2004-2005 and before starting,,,no problem,,,during tx and after completing,,,,did not effect him at all.

[PKCO]

Tator,

You make me wished I still smoked just so I could quit with you ! I didn't mean to make ya feel guilty. (well, actually I guess I was hoping some would). More like I was tossing out a "food for thought" like thing. lol My wife smokes but she goes outside so I got a big break there when it came time to quit my habit of one and a half packs a day of Winston's for 35 yrs.. I used 4 pieces of nicorette gum in my attempt. I really got lucky with withdrawal and didn't have any probs.

I hadn't thought of the financial gain at first. It sure is getting pricey to smoke. They are taxing the death out of smokers ! I don't think taxing addicts to pay for health and other budget items is really the answer. That's another thread.  ;)

I wish you and all others who may join you in any attempt at quitting the best of luck !!!

Best regards,
PK