Question:-  I am 28 years unmarried. I was taking Finpecia 1 mg drugs for hair fall problems. I took it for 6 months but stopped it when I came to know about its side effects. I read in some articles that this drug is given for treatment of prostate cancer and it causes irreversible impotency as it permanently destroys the androgen cells. Please advise on how I can test how much damage has been done already and suggest some treatment, if any. Is it going to destroy my marital life? I will be grateful for your valuable suggestions.





Answer:-  DR. RUI FERNANDES, DERMATOLOGIST, answers: Finastride (1mg) is the only oral drug approved by the FDA for male pattern alopecia. A 5mg version of the drug is used for benign prostatic hypertrophy. With a 1mg dose very minute quantities of the drug are detected in the human semen. A decreased libido,erectile dysfunction and a decrease in the volume of the ejaculate is seen in less than 4% of those taking the drug.The medication is best taken on the advice and supervision of a physician.