MERCK BS - Fin, Sleep-Related Erections & Libido in Men

Science Other Studies
#1

Inhibition of Steroid 5a-Reductase with Finasteride: Sleep-Related Erections, Potency, and Libido in Healthy Men*

PDF: jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/reprint/80/6/1934.pdf

READ THIS:

Finally, a (1995) study that shows a correlation of Finasteride usage and its effect on sleep-related erections, potency and libido. But before you get excited, take a look in the bottom left of the first page and you’ll see the following:

" * This work was supported by a grant from Merck Research Laboratories"

In the study, the researchers claim “No consistent finasteride-related differential suppression of sleep-related erectile activity compared to placebo was observed” … YET the graphs and results obtained appear to tell a different story.

Also note the graph showing by the end of week 12, Testosterone levels were on a steady decline – yet, the researchers claim T levels did not change.

DISCLAIMER:
In my personal opinion, this study is an example of the skewing of facts a pharmaceutical company can obtain via monetary compensation, and thus conflict of interest on the part of the researchers. It was sponsored by a grant from Merck… keep that in mind while reading it.

#2

To me this is the brainstorming of a board meeting at Merck where their sitting around a table and one VP says " we have a small problem with Propecia. It seems we may have destroyed a few people’s lives. We should sponser a study to slightly imply there may be a problem, never admitting guilt of course. And then as time goes on we’ll suggest better ways of perscribing Propecia."

But I do think they know there is a problem or they would not have sponsered this. I will bet you anything they monitor this forum. Mew see my last post on switching gears and edit it if you wish.

#3

Just a quick comment on Fig. 1…

Now, they claim that there was no statistical difference between finasteride and control at week 12. Obviously, they are right – the 95% confidence intervals for both groups are clearly overlapping. Keep in mind, however, that in the finasteride group, T is supposed to be elevated compared to the control group, not equivalent. If we instead compare T level at week 12 vs. T level at week 4 (when it is at its peak, repesenting the peak measured expected effect of the drug), however, it does appear that we are looking at a significant difference.

Although this data indicates no difference in T level between finasteride and control group, it does tell us that between weeks 4 and 12 there is in fact a significant decrease in testosterone in the finasteride group.