Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Drug for Prostate Made Penis Shrink

What side effects should you expect from drugs to treat an enlarged prostate? There are some reports that in certain cases they can make the penis shrink.

When your doctor recommends a medication that you will take for a long time, it makes sense to find out what side effects it may cause. Some men were alarmed to discover that their prostate medication could make the penis shrink.

Do Prostate Medicines Make Penis Shrink?

Q. Taking Avodart triggered the onset of both erectile dysfunction and reduced ejaculate for me. I took it for two years; my prostate did not shrink, but my penis did.

These sexual side effects linger. Five years later, I still have ED and low ejaculate. The symptom of frequent nightly urination, however, has ceased to be a problem. Will the sexual side effects ever go away?

Drugs for Prostate Enlargement:

A. Medications that shrink the prostate include dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar). These drugs are prescribed to treat symptoms of benign prostate enlargement. Lower dose finasteride (Propecia) is also prescribed for male pattern baldness.

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (Nov. 2012) reported persistent sexual side effects in men who took finasteride. These included reduced sexual arousal, lower ejaculate volume, erection difficulties and inability to reach orgasm. The study subjects also complained of smaller penis size and reduced sensation. It is not clear how long these complications may last.

Dutasteride is likely to have similar side effects (Urology, March 2014). In fact, a study in rats demonstrated that dutasteride does affect the penis as well as the prostate (Andrology, March 2017). A meta-analysis revealed that many men treated for benign prostate enlargement with one of these medications frequently experience adverse sexual side effects (Journal of Sexual Medicine, Sep. 2016).

Revised 8/16/18

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.3- 151 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.