Latest news with #Propecia
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
My marriage became sex-starved then ended because of a common hair loss drug – I was so lonely I became suicidal
Read on for more side effects of the hair loss drug AT A LOSS My marriage became sex-starved then ended because of a common hair loss drug – I was so lonely I became suicidal A WOMAN has revealed that she left her husband after their marriage became sexless thanks to a common drug for hair loss. Thammika Songkaeo shared her heartbreaking story on the Moral Medicine podcast. 3 Thammika says the hair loss drug destroyed her marriage Credit: Youtube/Moral Medicine 3 Her husband had used the drug in the past but the ongoing sid effects were too much for her Credit: Getty Now a bestselling author, she revealed the dangers of the prescription drug that men rarely know about. Thammika said she noticed that her love life was nonexistent while they were still dating. Her then-boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription drug that is commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss. It works by blocking the production of a male hormone that contributes to hair loss. However, it comes with a host of side effects, including: erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive and ejaculation problems, including reduced ejaculate volume. At first, she figured it would only be a temporary problem, but that soon changed. 'I did not at all realise that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. The pair still decided to stay together and ended up married for seven years. She even convinced her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. 3 Now she hopes to raise awareness on the drug Credit: Youtube/Moral Medicine Taking lovers has improved our relationship but threesome on TV left me in tear The couple even welcomed a daughter, but the sex life never really improved and Thamika was feeling lonelier than ever. Eventually, she decided to call it quits on her sex-starved marriage. She said: "I couldn't really detach myself from this person because I saw what happened, and I said, "This is definitely not this man's fault." "And what I needed to do personally was move away from the relationship as a romantic partner because I couldn't do it, I couldn't live in a sexless marriage." Help for mental health If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123 CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Now, she is trying to raise awareness on post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) - condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
My marriage became sex-starved then ended because of a common hair loss drug – I was so lonely I became suicidal
A WOMAN has revealed that she left her husband after their marriage became sexless thanks to a common drug for hair loss. Thammika Songkaeo shared her heartbreaking story on the Moral Medicine podcast. 3 3 Now a bestselling author, she revealed the dangers of the prescription drug that men rarely know about. Thammika said she noticed that her love life was nonexistent while they were still dating. Her then- boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription drug that is commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss. It works by blocking the production of a male hormone that contributes to hair loss. However, it comes with a host of side effects, including: erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive and ejaculation problems, including reduced ejaculate volume. At first, she figured it would only be a temporary problem, but that soon changed. 'I did not at all realise that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. The pair still decided to stay together and ended up married for seven years. She even convinced her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. 3 Taking lovers has improved our relationship but threesome on TV left me in tear The couple even welcomed a daughter, but the sex life never really improved and Thamika was feeling lonelier than ever. Eventually, she decided to call it quits on her sex-starved marriage. She said: "I couldn't really detach myself from this person because I saw what happened, and I said, "This is definitely not this man's fault." "And what I needed to do personally was move away from the relationship as a romantic partner because I couldn't do it, I couldn't live in a sexless marriage." Help for mental health If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123 CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Now, she is trying to raise awareness on post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) - condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
A popular hair loss drug destroyed my ex-husband's sex drive — and ended our marriage
A bestselling author has shared a heartbreaking story about how a popular hair loss drug led to the demise of her ex-husband's sexual function — and their marriage. Speaking recently on the podcast 'Moral Medicine,' Thammika Songkaeo said she noticed they had no love life to speak of while they were still dating. Her then-boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride, which is commonly used to treat hair loss in men. One of the potential side effects is sexual dysfunction. 3 Speaking recently on the podcast 'Moral Medicine,' Thammika Songkaeo shared how post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) led to the demise of her marriage. Moral Medicine/YouTube At the time, she thought it was just a temporary issue — or that it would only be a problem intermittently. 'I did not at all realize that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. They got married and stayed together for seven years, with Songkaeo convincing her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. The couple welcomed a daughter, but Songkaeo's loneliness worsened. Ultimately, she decided to walk away from the sex-starved marriage. Noting that her ex was a wonderful partner outside of the bedroom, they remained great friends — and Songkaeo went on to write a novel about her experience, 'Stamford Hospital,' which became a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon Singapore. 3 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I myself was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. Gorodenkoff – Now, she's trying to spread the word not only about how post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) — a condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride — affects its victims, but also the ones they love. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said. Songkaeo was interviewed by podcast host Mark Millich, who made headlines earlier this year by telling the Wall Street Journal that he experienced debilitating side effects after buying finasteride. 3 Mark Millich — the host of the podcast — made headlines earlier this year by telling the Wall Street Journal that he experienced debilitating side effects after buying finasteride. X/@Unstoppable218 Some of his side effects included anxiety, dizziness and slurred speech. His sex drive also plummeted, and his genitals shrank and changed shape. Millich previously interviewed a 28-year-old man who reported a roller coaster of side effects due to PFS, including sexual dysfunction, insomnia, severe weight and muscle loss, skin rashes and pelvic pain. 'Every month, I feel like there's a new side effect,' the man said. 'It's really changed my life completely.' In April, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about topical finasteride products distributed by telehealth companies, citing several reports of adverse events such as erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido and testicular pain. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to
CBC
09-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Health authorities warn against potential serious risks of hair-loss drug
U.S. and European health regulators are warning the public of possible health risks linked to finasteride, a popular hair-loss drug. The European Medicines Agency issued an alert on Thursday, stating it had confirmed suicidal thoughts as a side effect of finasteride tablets. The European regulator announced it would be implementing new measures to warn and protect the public. This comes following an alert issued by U.S. health regulators in late April, which warned against the possibility of sexual dysfunction and depression linked to topical finasteride — a newer version of the medication that's applied directly to the skin. "There is no FDA-approved topical formulation of finasteride," the agency said in the alert, adding that the safety, effectiveness, or quality of these products has not been evaluated. "There are potential serious risks associated with the use of compounded topical finasteride products." While topical finasteride is also increasingly popular in Canada, a Health Canada spokesperson confirmed last week it was never approved here either. The pill version of the hair loss drug, also sold under the brand name Propecia, is associated with the same rare but serious side effects. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada and has been on the market for the past 30 years. In recent years, however, topical finasteride has been popularized by a number of new telemedicine websites focused on men's health. These gels or lotions are often marketed as having fewer side effects than oral finasteride. Rare but debilitating side effects In February, Radio-Canada investigative program Enquête published an investigation into the drug, which featured the testimonies of 25 men who said oral or topical finasteride had caused devastating side effects. The symptoms mentioned in the FDA's statement echo the ones these men described to journalists. The agency says it has identified 32 cases of adverse reactions linked to topical finasteride over the past five years, with symptoms including anxiety, brain fog, depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and testicular pain. Wei Wong, a Montreal man who was prescribed topical finasteride in 2023, said that after 10 days of using the hair loss serum, he developed debilitating side effects that continue to afflict him. Wong claimed he was not told the product was not approved by Health canada, and said he chose the topical finasteride because his research suggested it caused fewer side effects than the finasteride tablets. Many of the men interviewed by Radio-Canada were also under this impression: some claim that when they began experiencing side effects of oral finasteride, their doctors advised they switch to the 'gentler' topical version. Wong believes this new FDA warning will help reduce the number of men who experience finasteride's sometimes debilitating side effects. "I am, however, perplexed at the paradoxical framing; the warning cites persistent side effects from topical finasteride, explains that topical finasteride is expected to enter the bloodstream as oral finasteride does, acknowledges the side effects reported are identical to those of oral finasteride, and somehow concludes that oral finasteride is FDA approved and therefore safe," Wong wrote in an email. Illegal marketing of topical finasteride in Canada Canadian regulatory authorities confirm that selling unapproved health products is illegal. However, in Canada, topical finasteride is considered a compounded preparation, a medication custom-made by a pharmacist at the request of a doctor. While this practice is permitted for individual use, Canada's Food and Drugs Act prohibits the mass production and advertising of compounded drugs. Despite these restrictions, many Canadian websites openly promote topical finasteride, showcasing sleekly branded bottles on their websites and social media posts. These advertisements are problematic, says Jean-François Desgagné, president of the Quebec Order of Pharmacists. Earlier this year, Enquête reporters tested three telemedicine platforms, obtaining oral finasteride prescriptions from Essential Clinic, Jack, and Rocky. This experiment concluded that the medical consultations offered by these sites were rushed and superficial, with healthcare professionals providing very limited information about the risks associated with the medication. Neither Rocky nor Jack responded to our emails regarding the new FDA warning and Health Canada's comments. Essential Clinic co-founder Hisham Al-Shurafa said he has been selling topical finasteride since 2021. He noted that the product information pamphlet clearly states it is not approved by Health Canada. However, clients navigating the site to obtain this medication are not obliged to consult this document. The lack of Health Canada approval does not appear to be mentioned anywhere else on the Essential Clinic website, or in its advertisements for topical finasteride. Health Canada officials say that since January 2024, they have received five complaints concerning the sale and advertising of finasteride-based products on various websites. "In two cases, Health Canada sent regulatory letters to the responsible companies, informing them of non-compliance and asking them to cease their activities. Two cases are still under review by the department, and one case revealed no non-compliance."
Euronews
08-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Hair loss drug linked to risk of suicidal thoughts, EU regulator says
A medication to treat men's hair loss comes with a rare risk of suicidal thoughts, the European Union's drugs regulator has determined. The safety committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it reviewed 313 reports of suicidal ideation among people taking the drug finasteride, which can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss for men aged 18 to 41. Finasteride is sold in 1 mg tablets under brand names such as Propecia. Meanwhile, 5 mg tablets are used to treat prostate enlargement that can cause problems urinating. Most of the reports of suicidal thoughts came from people taking the 1 mg tablets, but 'the frequency of the side effect is unknown,' the EMA concluded. Finasteride – which already comes with warnings about mood changes, such as depression and suicidal ideation – will remain on the shelves because the safety committee concluded that its benefits outweigh its risks. But the 1 mg tablets will now come with a card that reminds people of the risks and advises them on how to handle side effects, which can also include decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction, the EMA said. The agency said people who experience mood changes while taking finasteride 1 mg should stop taking it and seek medical advice. The warnings will also be added to the medicine dutasteride, which is another treatment for prostate enlargement. The EMA safety committee did not have evidence linking the drug to suicidal thoughts, but because dutasteride works the same way as finasteride, the information will be added as a precaution. The agency noted that there were only a few hundred reports of suicidal ideation among about 270 million patients taking finasteride and 82 million taking dutasteride. Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates pledged on Thursday to give his entire fortune away over the next 20 years to support global health initiatives. Gates, who co-founded tech giant Microsoft in the 1970s, said he will donate 'virtually all' his wealth through the Gates Foundation, a charity that has become a giant in global health and anti-poverty programmes since he founded it with ex-wife Melinda French Gates in 2000. Gates had originally planned for his fortune to continue funding the organisation for decades after his death. But the tech tycoon said he's changed his mind. 'There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people,' Gates said in a statement. 'That is why I have decided to give my money back to society much faster than I had originally planned'. The tech tycoon said he expects the foundation to spend more than $200 billion (€175.8 billion) through 2045. The Gates Foundation said this would double its current spending levels. While the organisation's overall priorities aren't changing, it will home in on three key goals: curbing preventable deaths among mothers and babies, addressing lethal infectious diseases, and lifting 'millions of people out of poverty,' the foundation said. The announcement comes amid widespread cuts to global health efforts. Led by President Donald Trump, the United States has slashed both overseas health funding and programmes, which experts have warned could have devastating consequences. Without the US's roughly $12 billion (€10.6 billion) in spending on global health in 2024, for example, roughly 25 million people could die over the next 15 years from HIV, tuberculosis (TB), maternal health complications, and in early childhood, one analysis found. European countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, and France, have also cut their budgets for global health and foreign aid since last year. Earlier this week, the United Nations' AIDS agency said it would cut its workforce by more than half and move remaining staffers to cheaper posts in response to drastic budget cuts from donors.
