Lucy Devine
A man has claimed his genitals 'shrank and changed shape' after taking a hair loss drug.
According to the Wall Street Journal, former US Army Sergeant Mark Millich, 26, started taking the drug after completing a questionnaire on healthcare platform, Hims.com.
Finasteride - also known as Propecia - is a drug that can be used to treat hair loss in men. The drug works by stopping testosterone from turning into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
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DHT can stop your hair from growing and can also cause your prostate to increase in size.
Male pattern baldness usually follows a receding hair loss or thinning on the crown in men. You're more likely to experience baldness if it runs in the family, and it usually begins over the age of 30.
Finasteride can cause a number of side effects, including reduced sex drive; problems getting or maintaining an erection; issues with ejaculation; sore or enlarged breasts (in men) and a rash.
When Mark started taking the drug he reported experiencing anxiety, dizziness and slurred speech, meanwhile he also suffered from an impaired sex drive and he says his genitals even shrank and changed shape.
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Speaking about his experience on X, he revealed some of the other symptoms he experienced, adding: "I developed loose skin, facial changes, lipoatrophy, joint issues, voice changes (higher pitched), cognitive impairment, anhedonia, insomnia, slurred speech, lost beard density, Peyronie’s disease, muscle twitching, digestive issues, and numerous other physical, neurological, and sexual issues that have destroyed my life."
Symptoms related to mental health and sexual dysfunction are now included on the drug's label, following calls to include links to potential suicidal thoughts while taking the drug.
In 2017, patient advocacy group, the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation petitioned the FDA to order pharmaceutical company Merck & Co to stop selling the drug or include more warnings.
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Following this, the FDA said it is 'requiring the addition of suicidal ideation and behavior' to be included on the list of adverse reactions.
According to Reuters, as early as 2009, Merck & Co were aware of more than 200 reports of depression, including suicidal thoughts, in men taking the treatment.
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Mark says he answered 14 questions before receiving the pills and was never required to consult with a doctor before receiving the medication.
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“This is not something young men should take,” Dr Justin Houman told the Journal.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Hims said their customers 'go through a comprehensive intake that is reviewed by a licensed provider who makes a clinical determination about the patient’s eligibility for medication'.
They also said that they communicate about 'essential details and safety information'.
Hims told UNILAD: "Treatments and care available through the Hims & Hers platform are part of treatment plans designed and led by a team of medical experts.
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"The clinical framework followed by providers reflects decades of experience from our medical team and advisory board, supported by rigorous clinical quality measures.
"We are committed to transparency and always provide customers with essential information, including potential side effects, before they begin treatment and throughout their care journey to help them make informed decisions and use their medication safely."
UNILAD has reached out to Merck & Co for comment.