Male Fountain of Youth in a Pill

Andrew Siegel MD 7/14/2018

Thank you http://www.goodfreephotos.com for the image above

I only believe in prescribing (and taking) medications when absolutely necessary,  after simpler measures have been tried (usually lifestyle modification) and have failed to improve the issue and when advantages outweigh disadvantages.  That stated, there is one medication in particular that can lop off a number of years in terms of its positive effect on male form and function.  Requirements for any medication are twofold—safety and effectiveness.  Recent studies conducted over the course of twenty years confirm the safety and effectiveness of this medication. The chief investigator presented his long-term findings at the 2018 American Urological meeting in San Francisco and called the findings of the study “transformational.”

Aging can be unkind and Father Time is responsible for a host of changes that occur with the aging process. The aging male often suffers with an enlarging prostate gland that can cause annoying urinary symptoms as the enlargement crimps the flow of urine. Aging is also a key risk factor for the occurrence of prostate cancer. As we know all too well, aging also often causes the loss of one’s youthful full head of hair, leaving a balding and shiny scalp subject to sunburn and often managed by combovers or shaving one’s head.

What if I told you that there is a drug that can shrink the prostate and often alleviate the symptoms of prostate enlargement?  That would be considered a good drug.  What if I told you that it could also reduce the risk of prostate cancer?  Now we’re talking excellent drug.  Finally, what if I told you that it could reverse male pattern baldness?  Now we are talking exceptional drug.  This drug not only exists, but also is generic, inexpensive and yours truly is proof of its success!

Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial was a clinical experiment that tested whether the drug finasteride (brand name Proscar) could prevent prostate cancer. The medicine works by blocking the activation of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

This trial was based on two facts:

1. Prostate cancer does not occur in the absence of testosterone
2. Men born without the enzyme that converts testosterone to its activated form DHT do not develop benign or malignant prostate growth (nor hair loss, for that matter).

This 7-year study enrolled almost 20,000 men who were randomly assigned to finasteride or placebo. The study was terminated early because men in the finasteride arm of the study were found to have a 25% risk reduction for prostate cancer.  The original study in the 1990s also demonstrated a slight increase in aggressive prostate cancer in the finasteride arm.  This negative finding resulted in a “black box” warning from the FDA, as a result of which many men were frightened about the prospect of using the drug.

Recent follow-up on the original clinical trial (median follow-up > 18 years) presented at the 2018 American Urological Association meeting found 42 deaths from prostate cancer in the finasteride arm and 56 in the placebo arm. The study concluded that finasteride clearly reduces the occurrence of prostate cancer and that the initial concerns regarding high grade prostate cancer were unfounded.

Prostates in those treated with finasteride were 25% smaller at the end of the study as opposed to the prostates in the placebo group. Finasteride (and other medications in its class) lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) by 50%, so any man on this class of medications will need to have his PSA doubled to estimate what the PSA would be if not taking the medication.

When my thinning hair progressed to the point that I had a sunburn on my crown, I started using Propecia (a.k.a. finasteride). In a matter of a few years I had a full regrowth of hair. After the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial report revealed a 25% risk reduction for prostate cancer with finasteride use, I was strongly motivated to continue using the drug, particularly since my father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 65 (he is thriving over two decades later).

The 2 photos are proof of my fine head of hair, thank you finasteride

 

 

 

 The bottom line is that finasteride (Proscar and Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart) can help prevent prostate cancer, shrink the prostate gland, improve lower urinary tract symptoms due to prostate enlargement, help prevent the need for prostate surgery and grow hair on one’s scalp… a fountain of youth dispensed in a pill form if ever there was one!

For more information on the fascinating tale of how this drug was developed–one of the most interesting backstories on drug development–see my entry: Girl at Birth, Boy At Puberty…and A Blockbuster Drug.

Wishing you the best of health,

A new blog is posted weekly. To receive a free subscription with delivery to your email inbox visit the following link and click on “email subscription”:  www.HealthDoc13.WordPress.com

Dr. Andrew Siegel is a physician and urological surgeon who is board-certified in urology as well as in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.  He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor New York Metro Area, Inside Jersey Top Doctor and Inside Jersey Top Doctor for Women’s Health. His mission is to “bridge the gap” between the public and the medical community.

Dr. Siegel has authored the following books that are available on Amazon, iBooks, Nook and Kobo:

MALE PELVIC FITNESS: Optimizing Sexual & Urinary Health

THE KEGEL FIX: Recharging Female Pelvic, Sexual and Urinary Health 

PROMISCUOUS EATING: Understanding and Ending Our Self-Destructive Relationship with Food

These books are written for educated and discerning men and women who care about health, well-being, fitness and nutrition and enjoy feeling confident and strong.

Dr. Siegel is co-creator of the male pelvic floor exercise instructional DVD (female version is in the works): PelvicRx

New video on female pelvic floor exercises:  Learn about your pelvic floor

On the topic of “fountain of youth,” my first foray into writing was Finding Your Own Fountain of Youth: The Essential Guide to Health, Wellness, Fitness & Longevity.  If you see me as a patient and ask for a copy, it’s yours for free.  Alternatively, if you would like to download a free copy in PDF format, visit www.AndrewSiegelMD.com and click on “books.”

 

 

 

Tags: Andrew Siegel MD, Avodart, Dutasteride, Finasteride, fountain of youth, male fountain of youth pill, Propecia, Proscar, prostate cancer prevention