Faculty Opinions Recommendation of Treatment of Recurrent Priapism in Sickle Cell Anemia with Finasteride: A New Approach

The article discussed a study exploring finasteride as a treatment for recurrent priapism in men with sickle cell anemia, suggesting it could be a significant advancement due to its effectiveness and relatively mild side-effect profile compared to existing treatments. Traditional treatments like antiandrogens and PDE5 inhibitors had notable side effects and cost issues, respectively. Finasteride, being less expensive and generally well-tolerated, presented a promising alternative, although concerns about its long-term impact on fertility and sexual function remained. The study highlighted the need for further research to confirm these findings and understand the role of dihydrotestosterone in sexual function, which could potentially change clinical practices if validated.