Baldness drug Wayne Rooney took 'could cause permanent impotence and shrink genitals in some men'

A hair-loss medication reportedly tried by Wayne Rooney may cause prolonged and possibly irreversible impotence, scientists have claimed.

The recent findings come after one patient bravely stepped forward to reveal the drug left him with no sex drive and even shrank his genitals.

Kevin Malley, 30, was prescribed with the drug Propecia after he worried he could be losing his hair. He said he only planned to take the pill for a year.

However, just five months after he started taking it in May 2011 he found he was completely impotent and his testes also became smaller.

Worried, he consulted his doctor and was told the symptoms would disappear after he stopped taking the drug. But he says a year on and nothing has

changed.

It will come as no surprise to Dr Michael Irwig from the University of Washington.

He recently published a study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, that found the ingredient finasteride, which is found in Propecia, can cause persistent

sexual dysfunction, including low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and problems with orgasms.

The male pattern baldness drug is manufactured by Merck and was approved by the FDA in 1997.

While labeling on the medication in the U.S. currently warns about possible reversible sexual side effects, there is no reference to the effects being

persistent, Dr Irwig said.

However, other countries including the UK and Sweden do require medical companies to include the 'persistent risk' warning on the labeling.

It was reported that Wayne Rooney started taking the medication in 2009 after he became sick of other footballer's jibes about his receding hairline. He has

since had a hair transplant.

Dr Irwig first became aware of the problems caused by finasteride several years ago when he encountered several men who reported they had developed

sexual dysfunction while taking the medication.

'It’s been very frustrating for a lot of these men because they’ve sought care from medical professionals who have looked at the literature and have not

seen a risk of persistent sexual dysfunction,' says Dr Irwig.

'So a lot of these patients have been told to see psychiatrists and psychologists and that it’s all in their head.'

Dr Irwig then noticed that men had reported sexual dysfunction for months even after they stopped taking the medication.

'I came across a website called propeciahelp.com with more than 1,400 registered users - many young healthy men who developed the same sexual side

effects from finasteride - and I discovered that nobody had published a series looking at these men - who they are, how long the sexual side effects lasted,

what types.'

Dr Irwig’s study included results from interviews with 71 men aged 21 to 46 years old to assess how long they took finasteride, the type and duration of

sexual side effects and their sexual frequency before and after the medication.

Dr Irwig discovered that 94 per cent developed low libido, 92 per cent developed erectile dysfunction and decreased arousal, and 69 per cent developed

problems with orgasm.

On average, the men used finasteride for approximately 28 months but experienced persistent sexual side effects for an average of 40 months, from the

time they ceased taking the medication to the time of the interview.

Dr Irwig also found that the average number of sexual episodes per month dropped after finasteride use.

'It turns out that almost all the men had multiple sexual function problems,' says Dr Irwig.

'Before finasteride use, the men experienced average sexual activity of approximately 26 episodes per month, but after use, it came down to

approximately eight per month - an almost two-thirds reduction.

'Twenty per cent of patients I interviewed experienced persistent sexual dysfunction for more than five years, which makes me wonder if their persistent

sexual dysfunction is permanent,' he adds.

This was certainly Mr Malley's experience. He told Good Morning America: 'I kept expecting the side effects to go away, but they did not, they only got

worse.'

Mr Malley said before he took the drug he was engaged and worked as a public health researcher at a university in Las Vegas.

After he developed symptoms his fiancee broke off the engagement and he said he had to resign from his job because of cognitive problems. He said he is

angry no one warned him the drug could have such lasting effects.

'Even if the side effects are rare, that doesn't mean that I should not have been warned. I did have a life before this,' he told Good Morning America.

Dr Irwig said roughly 5 per cent of men who take medicine will experience sexual dysfunction, and of those 'it’s hard to tell how many will experience

persistent symptoms'.

'We know that this is a potential problem, but we can’t quantify what the exact risk is. I can’t tell a man if he has a 1-in-100 chance, or a 1-in-1000 chance of

developing persistent sexual dysfunction, but it’s pretty clear there’s a relationship here,' he says.

Topical Rogaine can be used as an alternative to Propecia - applied directly on the skin, it does not get absorbed by body and thus does not cause sexual

side effects - but Dr. Irwig says Propecia is very effective in treating hair loss and thus is commonly prescribed.

So Dr Irwig says it is crucial physicians treating male pattern hair loss discuss the possibility of persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride with

their patients.

'I think it’s very important that doctors who are prescribing this medicine talk about potential risks, so men can make an informed decision,' he said.

In a statement, Merck said no evidence has proved a causal relationship between Propecia and long-lasting sexual dysfunction.

A spokesman said: 'Merck believes that PROPECIA (finasteride) has demonstrated safety and efficacy profiles and that the product labeling appropriately

describes the benefits and risks of the drug to help inform prescribing.

'A causal relationship between the use of PROPECIA and continued sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment has not been established.   We

encourage patients to talk with their doctor if they have any questions or concerns about their health, or about PROPECIA.'

10 best foods for your Hair

Having a balanced diet, while putting a little extra emphasis on things like protein and iron, gives your hair a boost, the pursuit of shiny looks starts with a healthy balanced

diet such as fish, bananas, beans and some vegetables which is good for the 150,000 hair follicles on your head as it is for your body.

Protein, for example is the building block of hair. If you don’t get enough, you hair will grow more slowly, and strands will be weaker.

• Eggs:- it contains vitamin B that promotes hair growth and overall scalp health. A deficiency can cause brittle hair. Other high-biotin foods include peanuts, almonds, wheat

bran, salmon, low-fat cheese, and avocados.

• Bananas:- This contains minerals Silica which is good for the thickness of the hair, also helps in making hair stronger and durable.

• Green Vegetables:- it contains vitamins A and C which help to produce Sebum, a scalp oil that works as a natural hair conditioner.

• Sweet Potatoes:- These are packed with beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, a nourishing agent for your hair and skin. Vitamin A protects against dull hair and

dry skin, a leading cause of dandruff.

• Kidney Beans:- These are Iron rich Protein which play a major role in hair maintenance and support.

• Fruits:- This contains vitamin C which helps your body to absorb Iron. Lack of vitamin C may lead to dry and weak hair.

• Fatty Acid:- They support scalp health; a deficiency can lead to dry scalp and dull hair. Good sources include salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

• Healthy Oil:- No one wants dry, lackluster hair. But if your diet is too low in fat, that’s what could happen. Healthy oils like olive, peanut, safflower, and sunflower can

restore the shine. About a teaspoon a day will do the trick.

• Oysters:-This contains Zinc, a mineral that helps regulate the production of androgens. These are hormones that, in low levels, are associated with hair loss. People with low

levels of androgens can also suffer from slow hair growth and dandruff.

• Lean Red Meat:- This contains Iron and lack of Iron can lead to baldness, . “People who have problems with hair loss or hair growth tend to be iron deficient.

Male Baldness: Common Causes Of Hair Loss

As men age, they're most likely to notice it on their heads first.

Hair loss affects 20 per cent of men in their 20s, 30 per cent of men in their 30s and so on, according to hair expert Dr. Alan Bauman of Bauman Medical Group in Florida.

"There are millions of people across North America who experience hair loss," he says.

For the most part, hair loss is genetic, but the speed and pattern of baldness doesn't necessarily have to be based on your parents, Bauman told The Huffington Post Canada. "Other factors like the shape of your hairline and the colour of your hair both affect balding patterns."

And if you're smoking a pack a day, chances are this process is accelerated. Bauman says being overly stressed at work or at home, falling into bad smoking habits and lacking nutrients for strong hair and health are all ways men and women start noticing hair loss earlier. People who also tend to overuse heated tools or chemical-based sprays have higher risks of damaging their locks.

In March, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania released findings about a potential cure for baldness after discovering high levels of a protein called prostaglandin D synthase (PDG2) in bald areas of the scalp. The study claimed that creating pills with PDG2 blocking properties could help "cure" baldness, and hope to have an option on the market within the next five years.

But for the time being, one out of four Canadians don't know who to ask for help when dealing with the loss of their hair. This number doesn't surprise Bauman, who adds that some men avoid check-ups and can lose more than 50 per cent of their hair before they realize it's happening.

It's not just the fellas, either. For women, taking particular drugs, being highly stressed and using hot tools on your head can all lead to baldness.

An Amazing Product Producing Amazing Results

A friend recommended Leimo to me. He has been using it for a year and half now. I could see that his hair is becoming better and better every month since he started using Leimo so I didn’t think twice about placing my order for the free trial. I’m a 36-year-old family man who has been losing hair for 2 years now. Leimo is the first thing I’ve ever tried. And guess what? My hair stopped coming off in excess in just a month, to think my friend didn’t get the same results within his free trial period! Leimo really impressed me a lot!
 

It contains natural ingredients like saw palmetto extracts, mistletoe, and fennel which I’ve heard are very good at preventing further hair loss.     
 

When I first used the Bio-Cleansing Shampoo, Thickening Conditioner, Scalp Therapy, Scalp Serum, and Scalp Scrub altogether almost every day, I thought it very tedious and vain but I didn’t let it get in the way of my treatment. It’s been officially 8 months since I started using Leimo. I admit the habit does not become easy at all. But I never regretted anything. In fact, everything seems to be paying off—after all that hard work and constant reminding.
 

 The products smelled very good. Also, the consistency was neither too thick nor thin. More than that, altogether, they made my hair softer and I also stopped accumulating dandruff. My scalp is no longer that flaky.
 

It’s an amazing product, definitely, a must-have for those who are starting to lose their hairs. Don’t wait for 2 years before it gets worse and harder to treat. You can visit their site and order for your free trial. You can also learn about the rest of their products, specifically the Personal Hair Laser.

Visit http://www.leimo-hairloss.co.uk for more information

Gotu Kola as Treatment for Hair Loss

Alternative medicine has remained popular among people that suffer from hair loss. Anything natural always sounds preferable especially in the treatment for an incurable condition such as hair loss.

Gotu kola is a great addition to the list of herbal remedies for hair loss. As a treatment for hair loss, it primarily promotes good hair growth.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is the crawling, slender plant that grows abundantly in swampy tropical areas such as in India and Southeast Asian regions. It contains a variety of compounds that include the three triterpenes: asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside—all of which possess anti-oxidizing properties.

In Indian and Indonesian folk medicine, it has been used to treat several cosmetic and health conditions including wounds, skin inflammation, and varicose veins.

It is also beneficial to the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, generally.

Because of these observed benefits, gotu kola is assumed to be a good treatment for hair loss and a hair booster. In most cases of hair loss, the hair follicles reduce in size due to malnutrition. Gotu kola’s ability to strengthen blood vessels will be essential in expanding miniaturized hair follicles.

With non-constricted blood vessels, circulation to the follicles improves, thus allowing the entry of more nutrients and oxygen for the follicles. In this manner as well, the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) will be reduced significantly.

In essence, gotu kola prevents further hair loss, improves the scalp condition, and especially provides a better environment for the hair follicles to produce stronger, healthier hair shafts.

On the downside, the effectiveness of gotu kola as a treatment for hair loss lacks clinical evidence like many other herbs purported to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

However, many people can attest to its efficacy in various forms.

The usual recommended dosage of gotu kola is 600 mg three times a day. Side effects of the herb are rare although it has been linked to sarcoma and occasional skin rash.

How Will You Prevent Hair Loss Naturally?

Hair loss is an issue that has an effect on many men and women around the world and it is making them wonder how to stop hair loss. Some people speak well of new medical science that has been able to help some people grow new hair while others remain confident that natural solutions to the problem are the best answer. The optimal way to find solutions to the alarming problem of hair loss, however, is to understand what causes this issue and then to treat the cause, not just the symptom. The studies of a variety of excellent doctors has led modern medical professionals to a more clear understanding of how to reverse hair loss using shampoos and other products.

Men have a better chance to manage with hair loss than women, especially since male pattern baldness is a hereditary issue. Up to 30 million Americans are dealing with mild to total hair loss, not as a result of a medical condition or outside stressors, but instead because of their genes. This has led many men who realize that baldness runs in their families to consider how to stop hair loss before it even begins. Hair roots die when a hormone known as DHT chokes them out and eliminates future hair growth.

A rather high number of women are also trying to find out how they can prevent hair loss since this issue is rather common for ladies. One area of concern in regards to female hair loss is that the cause is, in most cases, a health problem or an unbalanced lifestyle issue. Due to the fact that the dominant male hormone testosterone plays a part in hair loss, some women experience hair loss due to an overabundance of this hormone brought on by their diet. Loss of hair can also be caused by a medical condition called hypothyroidism that is thought to afflict about 23 million people in the United States.

Speaking with your doctor about hair loss and how to deal with it is the primary thing you should do when you notice that you are losing your hair. Even if your hair loss is completely genetic, your doctor can help you find healthy ways to keep your hair and prevent the process of hair loss from accelerating.

There are lots of hair loss shampoo products available to prevent hair loss, including Nettle for hair. Working against hair loss begins with learning how to stop hair loss and taking the right steps.

How Stress Causes Hair Loss?

The problem of thinning hair may be caused by a genetic predisposition that comes from a familyhistory of thinning hair. Health problems such as Hyperthyroid or Hypothyroid conditions;medications such as chemotherapy, any hormone replacement medications including birth controlpills are culprits often overlooked.

It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive (more than normal) hair loss. Hair loss of this type can affect men, women and children.

Are you Stressed?

Thinning hair can also be attributed to stress and trauma that can cause constriction of blood supply and poor vitamin assimilation to the scalp and hair. Or, simply from poor nutrition and diet that can include a high consumption of animal fat, high protein and fad diets. Even external environmental toxins and pollutants, such as chlorine, metals, minerals and water pollution cannot be ignored. All these factors can be causing your clients' hair to look thinner.

Under a microscope

The hardening prevents hair growth. The hair cycle slowly becomes disrupted and more hair is shed than normal. In time hair growth stops completely and baldness results. Here you see an example of a hair follicle as seen under a microscope.

Age and hormones

Most people naturally experience some hair loss as they get older. But age, changing hormones and heredity cause some to lose more hair than others.

 Female-pattern baldness starts with the replacement hairs becoming progressively finer and shorter. They can also become almost transparent.

It has been recorded that about 50 percent of women experience hair loss have female-pattern baldness! Unfortunately, it is often permanent just as in men. Not all hair thinning and loss must be permanent. There has been various cases of peri menopausal women, for example, experiencing thinning and lost hair who, once their hormone levels become balanced, can experience the thickness of previously thinning and the regrowth of lost hair that occurred during the ebbing and flowing hormonal years.

Hair fall treatment that costs nothing

Hair fall is a common problem for men and women these days. Long term hair fall leads to permanent hair loss, and could even make people go bald, especially for men. There are various factors that contribute to hair fall. Hair fall is high among the people who don’t show much interest in hair care, or who live in dusty, smoky and pollution affected towns and cities.

Hair fall starts with little amount of hair falling, and if it’s left untreated for longer periods, it could lead to complete hair loss, where no hair treatment can restore the natural hair back.

Hair care experts feel that the best hair fall treatment is all about taking balanced diet, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and leading a stress free life.

“I believe stress is the main reason of hair fall these days. I don’t see any reason other than stress that’s causing hair fall in many of my patients,” said Arvind, a renowned Hyderabad based hair care specialist.

He said, “Good diet prevent your hair from falling. The diet that’s enriched with vitamin C, E, and B gives you healthy hair. It has to be a well balanced diet that has the perfect combination of proteins, vitamins and minerals.”

Keeping hair clean is another important thing to do to prevent hair loss. Dandruff is another reason for hair fall in many people. Some dandruff specific shampoos help keep dandruff under control. However, if the dandruff is uncontrollable by normal measures, you should meet a professional hair care specialist to get a dandruff treatment.

Leading stress free life automatically minimizes hair fall. Yoga, exercises or other physical activities such as games could easily bring hair loss under control.

Reversing Hair Loss at Home with the Leimo Hair Loss Solution

                The season of giving is over but Leimo never stops giving. Consistent with its aim to help all hair loss patients fight hair loss effectively, safely, and conveniently, Leimo gives away a complete hair restoration system in a single kit with a SPECIAL OFFER.                

                The Leimo Personal Hair Laser Starter Kit is proof that nature and technology can work hand in hand in combating hair loss. It is packed with an organic-based hair loss prevention system and a modern handheld hair restoration device. They work together to target the cause of hair loss while blocking the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) build-up in the scalp. Importantly, it restores hair in even growth patterns. The Leimo Personal Hair Laser Starter Kit simply offers the best in hair loss management. 

                With the Leimo Bio Cleansing Shampoo, you can achieve a clean and healthy hair and scalp. Formulated with the powerful BioGrowth System, the Leimo Shampoo utilises mistletoe and fennel extracts that remove impurities such as excess sebum. Aside from that, its natural formulation taps oestrogen receptors to reduce the production of DHT. 

                Next, repair thin, weak, and dull hair with the Leimo Thickening Conditioner. It contains moisturising, strengthening, and thickening agents such as saw palmetto, grape seed, and rosemary extracts.

                The last step to the cleansing regimen is the Leimo Deep Cleansing Scalp & Body Scrub. It exfoliates away excess dirt, oil, and dead skin cells to make your scalp always in a clean and smooth condition.

                Reduce and prevent DHT formation in the follicles by using the Leimo Scalp Therapy every morning upon waking up. It has an effective content of saw palmetto extracts that will keep your hair and scalp protected from the harmful effects of DHT. 

                Restore hair with the Leimo Scalp Serum every night before going to bed. This ultra-concentrated formula provides intensive rejuvenation of damaged or dormant hair follicles.    

                The latest hype in laser hair restoration science, the Leimo Personal Hair Laser device is a portable and user-friendly medical tool designed and developed to restore fuller and thicker hair at a cellular level using Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Light Emitting Diode Therapy (LEDT). In fact, it is the only device to receive recognition from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a class-2a medical device intended for this purpose. 

                Use the Leimo Personal Hair Laser anytime and anywhere for at most 10 minutes every day for winning results. Considered as a non-significant risk laser, the Leimo Hair Laser is non-chemical, non-invasive, and has no reported side effects.

                Hair restoration is possible. Leimo will especially help you get there. Leimo is currently offering a SPECIAL DEAL on all orders of the Starter Kit. To learn more about this special offer, contact Leimo through their customer service support at 1800-280-250. You can also go visit them online at www.leimo.com.au.