PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid) Usage

PABA has been suggested as a treatment for Peyronie's disease , a condition in which the penis becomes bent owing to the accumulation of fibrous plaques ¹ However, there has been only one reported double-blind placebo-controlled study properly examining this use. (For information on why such studies are essential, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-Blind Studies? ) This trial enrolled 103 men with Peyronie's disease and followed them for one year. The results showed that use of PABA at a dose of 3g 4x daily significantly slowed the progression of Peyronie’s disease; it did not, however, reduce pre-existing plaque.

PABA has also been suggested as a treatment for scleroderma , a disease that creates fibrous tissue in the skin and internal organs. ² A 4-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 146 people with long-standing, stable scleroderma did not support this, failing to find any evidence of benefit. ³ However, half the participants in this trial dropped out before the end, making the results unreliable.

Based on one small World War II–era study, PABA has been suggested for treating male infertility as well as vitiligo , a condition in which patches of skin lose their pigment, resulting in pale blotches. However, this study didn't have a control group, so its results aren't meaningful. ⁴ Ironically, a recent study suggests that high dosages of PABA can causevitiligo (see Safety Issues).