Hair loss drugs may cause sexual problems

Patients on the drug, 5a-reductase inhibitors (5a-RIs), are at risk of losing their sexual functions, according to new research reported in Journal of Sexual Medicine.

5a-reductase inhibitors are believed to help prevent prostate cancer among other things. The drug helps urinary symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.

Researchers of Boston University School of Medicine, in collaboration with workfellows at Lahey Clinic and from Germany and Denmark reviewed clinical studies and found 5a-reductase inhibitors resulted in prolonged side effects on sexual functions, namely loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction and potential depression.

"Honest and open discussion with patients to educate them on these serious issues must be pursued prior to commencing therapy because, in some patients, these adverse effects are persistent and may be prolonged and patients do not recover well after discontinuation from drug use," said Abdulmaged M. Traish, lead author of the study at Boston university.

The researchers suggested caution needs to be exercised when prescribing 5a-RIs therapy to patients for hair growth or for BPH symptoms because of the side effects.

Stephen Lau