NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When used to prevent prostate cancer, finasteride (Proscar, Fincar) has little effect on sexual function, according to results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Previous research has suggested an increase in sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride use. But, according to PCPT investigator Dr. Carol M. Moinpour and associates, the studies were relatively small, of short duration, and failed to take into account age, other potentially influential factors, and individual variation.
The PCPT enrolled 17,313 men age 55 and older between 1993 and 1996. Subjects had been randomly assigned to finasteride or inactive "placebo".
Results showed a 25-percent reduction in the occurrence of prostate cancer in the finasteride group, as well as fewer urinary symptoms.
Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the 100-point Sexual Activity Scale, which asks a subject about his ability to have an erection when wanted, degree of satisfaction with his sexual activities, change in sexual performance, and frequency of sexual activities.
From a statistical standpoint, there was evidence that finasteride did, in fact, worsen sexual function compared with placebo. However, the actual magnitude of the effect was small, Moinpour, from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and her associates note.
"The finasteride effect...was small," and "should not impact the decision to prescribe or take finasteride," the researchers emphasize.
SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, July 4, 2007.
