Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
January 2018
in “
Acta dermato-venereologica
”
Studysummary This meta-analysis found that treating male androgenetic alopecia with 5α-reductase inhibitors increases the risk of sexual dysfunction, with a statistically significant risk for finasteride but not for dutasteride. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 trials with 4,495 male patients found that the use of finasteride or dutasteride to treat androgenetic alopecia increased the risk of sexual dysfunction by 1.57 times. The study recommends that physicians should be aware of this risk and assess the possibility of sexual dysfunction in patients treated with these drugs. The adverse sexual effects of these drugs include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders. Patients should be informed of these potential side effects before starting treatment.
