September 2022 in “International Journal of Impotence Research” This study found that global online interest in finasteride and its sexual side effects significantly increased after the FDA issued safety warnings in 2011.
September 2021 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study reported a significant increase in global online searches for finasteride and its possible sexual side effects, particularly after the FDA's 2012 warning.
13 citations
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June 2018 in “Current Urology Reports” This review suggests that while finasteride for male pattern hair loss was previously considered safe, there is now evidence associating 5-α reductase inhibitors with significant sexual and reproductive side effects.
3 citations
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October 2015 in “PubMed” This study found that sexual side effects occurred in a small percentage of patients using combined finasteride and minoxidil, but these were not common reasons for discontinuing treatment.
September 2014 in “PubMed Central” This review discusses the sexual side effects of medical and surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as erectile dysfunction and changes in ejaculation, but presents no new clinical findings.
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.
223 citations
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December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” This review discusses persistent adverse effects of 5α‐reductase inhibitors, like diminished libido and erectile dysfunction, in some patients and highlights the need for patient discussions before therapy, especially for androgenetic alopecia.
April 2008 in “Sexologies” In this study, patients who were informed about finasteride's sexual side effects reported them significantly more often than those who were not, highlighting a potential nocebo effect.
225 citations
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July 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” In this study, patients informed about finasteride's potential sexual side effects reported a significantly higher occurrence of these side effects, suggesting a nocebo effect.