Pharmaceutical companies seem to have a pill to take for almost any health problem. However, many people are finding that these “quick” cures are creating other undesirable health conditions that are worse than the original problem. Before you pop that pill, ask about potential side effects and decide if a pill is really the answer.
Hair Loss and Depression
Propecia (finasteride) is a drug that has been prescribed for hair loss for both men and women for at least a decade. It is also prescribed for symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate in men and benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, doctors have reported for some time now that patients who take this medication are at higher risk for developing depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts. Other side effects of this medication include increased problems with memory and concentration, which commonly go alongside depression.
Another common side effect for patients taking this medication for hair loss is sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and inability to orgasm. Mental health professionals have long known that feelings of depression are often linked to sexual dysfunction. In patients taking Propecia, the symptoms of depression and sexual dysfunction may be due to how the drug affects the brain.
While the Food and Drug Administration has not taken the step of requiring a black label warning be placed on Propecia prescriptions, the side effects of this commonly prescribed medication are cause for concern. The pharmaceutical industry has encouraged many Americans to believe that taking a pill to address health concerns is the answer to healthy living. However, it may be possible that human bodies are not designed for “better living through chemistry.”
If you have a true health concern, certainly go to your doctor and talk about your treatment options. However, before you automatically take that pill, be willing to ask key questions about potential harmful side effects and if they are worth it in the long run. You might be surprised by your answers.
– The Alternative Daily