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People don’t always ask about potential side effects when they accept a prescription from the physician. They should! That is especially true when it comes to your sex life. I know this is a sensitive topic for men and women. And doctors would prefer not to talk about it either.
Most men would probably want to know if the medicine they take for their enlarged prostate would interfere with their sex life. Finding out that the side effect could last a long time after stopping the pill might make some guys think twice about starting it.
That is all we recommend: that people be aware of the risks as well as the benefits of any drugs they take. That way they can decide if the medication is worthwhile for them.
Finasteride Had Damaging Effect on Sex Life:
Q. I was prescribed finasteride because I had to get up many times each night to urinate.
Finasteride was effective for the nocturia caused by my enlarged prostate gland.
Unfortunately, I had side effects that diminished my sex life. Hoping to recover my sex drive and erectile function, I started cutting the tablets in half. I took that half dose for about six months with no abatement of the side effects.
I’ve now been off finasteride for three months but I still have sexual problems. At this point, I would trade a little nocturia for a better sexual experience.
Problems with Sex Life May Be Long-Lasting:
A. Research published in the journal PeerJ (March 9, 2017) reports that sexual side effects are a risk with drugs like dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar). The longer men take such drugs, the greater the chance of persistent erectile dysfunction.
Even after discontinuing these prostate medications, some men continue to have difficulty with libido and erections. A few report that sex is no longer pleasurable.
The FDA issued a warning about persistent sexual difficulties in 2012. Doctors should be sure to let men know about this potential problem when they write the prescription.
Another Reader Reports Problems with his Sex Life:
Q. I just read one of your articles on prescription drugs that can cause sexual dysfunction, specifically finasteride. I’ve been taking both finasteride and tamsulosin for over two years and I have experienced all of the problems you describe in the article.
I do not have any major prostate problems. My PSA is steady at 1.0 though my prostate may be slightly enlarged.
In the past, my urologist just suggested I try Viagra to overcome the erection difficulties. I don’t want another drug if the problem can be solved some other way. Can I simply stop taking finasteride?
A. Finasteride is approved to treat male pattern baldness or urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. The official prescribing information lists erectile dysfunction and decreased libido as relatively common side effects of finasteride.
For many men, these sexual difficulties may disappear once the drug is discontinued. In some cases, however, the problems persist after stopping the drug and may include decreased arousal, reduced sensation and trouble achieving orgasm (International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, Feb. 22, 2022).
We would encourage you to talk with your urologist before stopping either drug. You might experience some increased problems with urination after discontinuing finasteride.
Tom in Palm Bay, FL, offered this comment:
“I started taking Avodart at age 53, continuing until age 58 when I was switched to finasteride. I took that for about 8 years, and am now on Flomax. There is No Sex Life after any of the above.”
Doctors Need to Discuss Sexual Side Effects:
We know it is not easy to talk about sex. As we have written in this article, doctors often deny drug side effects. That is a violation of medical ethics. If you suspect that your medicine is having a negative impact on your sex life, please make an appointment with your physician so you can have a frank discussion about this topic. If you have experienced sexual side effects, please share your story (anonymously) in the comment section below.
Bob
An article ABOUT doctors’ reticense to talk about sexual issues in general would, to my mind, be helpful. One would think that in 2022, with all the sexual information floating around, that MDs would take this bull by the horns when talking about possible drug side effects–particularly Urologists and Oncologists who deal with prostate cancer. They often will talk about it but, at least in my experience, they do not initiate the conversation. Men can be shy about initiating such a discussion. It is not unreasonable to expect that the professional would be the one to bring it up.
James
After a series of UTI infections followed by a debilitating prostate infection which led to a pretty serious loss of bladder control, my doctor prescribed Flowmax (tamsulosin). It doesn’t prevent an erection but it does prevent proper ejaculation (think of dry heaves when you are trying to puke), which makes sex less desirable. At 70 my sex drive is nowhere near it was at 50, and for me, the trade-off between occasional sex and the ability to control my bladder – not just at night but throughout the day – is a no-brainer. Not having to constantly worry where the nearest bathroom is or carry a cup in the car in case I can’t make it to a nearby bathroom is well worth the trade-off.
David
Does anyone know if Sildenafil will reverse the ED side effects? Finesteride is an anti-testosterone medication which will affect not only the prostate but the testicles as well.
WILLIAM
I took Proscar for several months until I developed gynecomastia – then I quit.
AT 80 with extremely low testosterone I can have orgasms though no full, solid erection. At no point did I ever lose the level I had before the drug. Glad I quit.
Art I
Has anyone experienced any sexual side effects from taking Doxazosin for BPH?
Scott
You know, with all the serious sexual side effects of the medications mentioned, is there anyone working for a fix or is it a life sentence?
Scott
67 years old. BPH. Started Finasteride daily years ago. Affected sex life and reduced dosage to 3/week, then twice a week. Taking 5 mg on Monday and Thursday seems to allow for sexual function and helps BPH but probably still growing, just slower. Had a TURP in 2021 but had some regrowth and bladder stones, so another TURP this year in Jan which after 6 mos, symptoms much improved. I can sleep through the night.
Raymond
FlowMax, Tamsulosin ruined my Libido. Also other horrible side effects like dizziness, muscle weakness and other effects.
I’m going to have Rezum treatment.
A year off and nothing has improved. In two years it totally destroyed my testicles.
Patti
Texas
I can’t remember if boron supplement has ever been mentioned BUT it should be. My husband was put on finasteride (which he eventually quit) and lost most of his ability which made him very uhappy. After no help from the doctor, you’re just getting older, he was 77, I got some boron 3 mg and took it too. It helps both of us. There’s a article out on the ‘net called There’s Nothing Boring about Boron read it if interested. Ask your doctor if a boron supplement would hurt. I think it’s great! :-)
Al
Florida
Ok, I’m reading ,all about the same symptoms and medication I had been taking for years. What I’m not hearing is anything about life after finestride. Are there any positives or am I just S.O.L. and relegated to being a eunuch for the balance of my life?
TOMMY
FL
I am 85 years old. Can pass for 65. Workout four to six times a week. Enjoyed excellent sex with my much younger girl friend two to four times a week until I started taking Finasteride a year ago. After starting a regiment of Finasteride sex is no longer possible due to the inability to gain an erection. Realizing what the problem was, I stopped taking the drug months ago. The E.D. problem has remained. I am furious with the doctor – now deceased – for not advising me of the side effects of this drug
Bill
bradenton,fl
I am interested in receiving your scientifically based information.
Frank
PSL, Florida
A few years back, I was taking Flomax. It was like turning off the sex switch. Then I was put on dutasteride for a few years. The symptoms were not as bad but still pronounced. Lastly, I was put on finasteride as it became a generic. Same result. It HAS kept my nighttime urination in check, but the sex part is still somewhat affected. Unfortunately, it has done nothing to regrow my hair either!
Mick
Whitesboro, NY
RE: ENLARGED PROSTATE MEDICATIONS
When the prostate enlarges with time it will more often than not bring problems with sleep and travel due to urinary frequency. Stronger medications like finisteride shrink the prostate and reduce urinary frequency and lesser prostate cancers but too often have unwanted sexual and mental side effects. Men should consider using what many of us find adequate first. Cut the nutrition which causes frequency–especially alcohol– and excess caffeine, salt, excess fluids and some spices. With salt, it helps the body to retain fluids but then may increase concentrated irritating urine and increase frequency of smaller voiding volumes. Instead, try using cranberry pills, cranberry juice mixes (not cocktail mixes) during the day. Try a pill at bedtime. Take an extra glass of plain water. For medications, try Flomax or generic, tamsulosin, only a bladder muscle relaxer, which has minimal sexual side effects compared to hormone changing class of medication above. Follow an established healthy health routine–30 minute walks, low calorie, fruit and vegetable, low bad fat (high meat and dairy, saturateds etc), low sugar. Add some prostate friendly foods like avacado, pumpkin seeds adequate fiber and whole grains. It has worked for me (my urologist reports that my prostate volume is down to normal) and friends, who have reduced frequency.
Stephen
MA
I started having boy symptoms ten years ago at 58…difficulty initiating urination, multiple nocturnal arisings, etc. A urologist referral resulted in his offering me finasteride, which he told me I would have to take for the rest of my life, with a side effect being ejaculation back into my bladder during intercourse. This sounded like a terrible medication so I refused and found an amino acid supplement that I have been taking since then, after trying several that didn’t help. I awaken twice during the night, same as ten years ago, and have occasional daytime difficulties but they are acceptable trade offs for dangerous and bizarre medications that one wonders how they were approved. Caveat patient for any medication.
Ken
Illinois
After several years of having to often pull over alongside the road for emergency pee stops because my bladder spasms were so strong that the other option was to pee down my leg in the car, Finesteride seemed a wonderful option. I continued the medication for a decade. Eventually decided that even with Finesteride I was having too much bladder spasm and opted for transurethral prostatiatectomy. Recovery from that outpatient surgery was no walk in the park, but by the end of the month I was no longer passing blood with my urine, and after about six months my bladder hypertrophy had been reduced enough that I don’t have urgent urine moments any more. I’m now three years post surgery and very much wish I had just gone ahead with it much earlier.
My experience is that my thinking got more accurate after I stopped the Finesteride. I am still working part time well past usual retirement age and was distressed by random errors I was making in my work. That pattern seems to have just gone away since the Finesteride was stopped. I’ve wondered if Finesteride has a cholinergic effect on brain tissue – like so many other medications do.
In arguing for earlier intervention with transurethral prostatectomy, I will mention that my father in law’s last months of life were made very difficult because he knew that he needed to urinate, but couldn’t get to the toilet fast enough so we had urine on the floor every day. His Flomax dose was maxed out already, but his bladder spasm was too strong for the Flomax to control. I wish that he had the prostate reduced a decade earlier so he would not have suffered that embarrassment at the end of his life.
Walter
Arizona
Yes, my sex life has been affected after taking Finasteride. It has been nearly a year without intimacy. I am 76 years old and I accept it because of the fear of needed surgery.