August 2021 in “The Journal of Urology” This study found a significant association between finasteride use and reports of sexual dysfunction, particularly greater in young men using it for alopecia compared to older BPH patients.
September 2018 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” This study found that finasteride was associated with increased erectile dysfunction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but this association was not statistically significant in those with male androgenic alopecia.
20 citations
,
August 2018 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” This review summarized existing research on finasteride and erectile dysfunction, finding a correlation between finasteride use for benign prostatic hyperplasia and ED, but not strongly for male androgenetic alopecia.
June 2018 in “Evidence-Based Practice” This study found that patients using finasteride were up to twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction, including ejaculation disorder, decreased libido, and impotence, compared to those not using the drug.
4 citations
,
April 2018 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride for female hair loss has low side effects, more research needed.
10 citations
,
January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” This case report describes a 52-year-old man who developed generalized vitiligo two months after stopping finasteride and suggests this may be part of post-finasteride syndrome.
6 citations
,
September 2016 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences” This article reviews finasteride's potential side effects, notably post-finasteride syndrome, and suggests that hand preference and sexual orientation might predict these adverse effects, but it reports no clinical results.
43 citations
,
January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology” This study found that men experiencing long-term symptoms after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia frequently reported loss of penis sensitivity and anhedonia, among other effects, indicating potential post-finasteride syndrome.
5 citations
,
November 2015 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences” This review discusses the adverse effects of finasteride for male androgenic alopecia, highlighting depressive symptoms and persistent sexual dysfunction, and reports no new clinical findings.
81 citations
,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” This study highlights that adverse effects from finasteride may persist in men after discontinuation, indicating a potential "post-finasteride syndrome.
24 citations
,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” This review discusses persistent sexual and nonsexual adverse effects of the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride in younger men, including erectile dysfunction, low libido, and depression. It reports no new clinical results but emphasizes further research is needed.
112 citations
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July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” In this study, 96% of men with persistent sexual side effects from finasteride reported continued dysfunction after discontinuation, suggesting these effects may endure long-term.
February 2012 in “European Urology Supplements” Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting sexual side effects in young males.
185 citations
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March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.
