Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

July 2007 in “ The Journal of Sexual Medicine ”

Nicola Mondaini, Paolo Gontero, Gianluca Giubilei, Giuseppe Lombardi, T. Tony Cai, Andrea Gavazzi, Riccardo Bartoletti

finasteride androgenetic alopecia nocebo effect sexual dysfunction Propecia

TLDR Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.

The study aimed to determine whether the sexual side effects of finasteride, a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia, are related to a nocebo effect. The study found that patients who were informed of the drug's sexual side effects reported a significantly higher proportion of sexual dysfunction compared to those who were not informed. The study suggests that the nocebo effect should be taken into account when managing finasteride sexual side effects.

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Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

137 citations, March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.

Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

44 citations, July 2004 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride for hair loss has minimal impact on sexual function.

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research Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

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Men using hair loss drugs like finasteride may experience sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but it's unclear who will be affected and when. Treating depression and sexual symptoms is suggested, as these men often have higher rates of both. More research is needed to understand why these side effects occur.

research Sexual Adverse Effects of Finasteride 1mg for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men

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Finasterid 1mg, used for male hair loss, can cause sexual problems in some men, which can last for several months even after stopping the medication.

research Oral Finasteride Presents With Sexual-Unrelated Withdrawal in Long-Term Treated Androgenic Alopecia in Men

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research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

225 citations, July 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.

Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

Research cited in this study

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

research Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

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