Finasteride: Its Impact on Sexual Function and Prostate Cancer

Finasteride was used to treat androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hypertrophy by lowering DHT levels. While concerns existed about its impact on sexual function, large studies found no substantial evidence of finasteride causing erectile dysfunction, though it did reduce ejaculatory volume without significantly affecting fertility. Finasteride effectively reduced low-grade prostate cancer incidence but increased high-grade cancer detection, likely due to enhanced PSA sensitivity. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial showed finasteride reduced overall prostate cancer incidence but required adjustments in PSA screening. The document emphasized weighing the risks and benefits of finasteride, particularly for young men using it for hair loss.