October 2021 in “International Journal of Andrology” This paper reports on the controversy surrounding post-finasteride syndrome and questions Merck and the FDA's handling of associated sexual side effects. Despite significant adverse event reports, both entities failed to conduct further studies or enhance patient safety warnings about finasteride's long-term effects.
August 2021 in “The Journal of Urology” This study found a significant association between finasteride use and reports of sexual dysfunction, particularly greater in young men using it for alopecia compared to older BPH patients.
May 2019 in “Hair transplant forum international” In this study, the authors reported no significant difference in sexual dysfunction between finasteride users and non-users among men with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting that finasteride does not cause sexual dysfunction. This finding aligns with other large survey-based studies.
20 citations
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August 2018 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” This review summarized existing research on finasteride and erectile dysfunction, finding a correlation between finasteride use for benign prostatic hyperplasia and ED, but not strongly for male androgenetic alopecia.
June 2018 in “Evidence-Based Practice” This study found that patients using finasteride were up to twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction, including ejaculation disorder, decreased libido, and impotence, compared to those not using the drug.
7 citations
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March 2018 in “Dermatology and therapy” This study found that Italian dermatologists commonly prescribe 1 mg/day finasteride for androgenetic alopecia despite reported sexual side effects, due to its perceived long-term efficacy.
21 citations
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January 2017 in “Dermatology Online Journal” This review discusses the sexual side effects of finasteride and dutasteride, two 5-α-reductase inhibitors, and reports no new clinical findings while calling for further research into dosage differences.
10 citations
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January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” This case report describes a 52-year-old man who developed generalized vitiligo two months after stopping finasteride and suggests this may be part of post-finasteride syndrome.
6 citations
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September 2016 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences” This article reviews finasteride's potential side effects, notably post-finasteride syndrome, and suggests that hand preference and sexual orientation might predict these adverse effects, but it reports no clinical results.
19 citations
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September 2016 in “Pharmacotherapy” This study found that the risk of persistent sexual dysfunction was higher in men who stopped using finasteride 1 mg compared to omeprazole users.
43 citations
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January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology” This study found that men experiencing long-term symptoms after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia frequently reported loss of penis sensitivity and anhedonia, among other effects, indicating potential post-finasteride syndrome.
69 citations
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July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” This study found that low-dose finasteride use in young men was associated with higher reporting of persistent sexual dysfunction, with some cases linked to suicidal ideation.
81 citations
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June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” This study highlights that adverse effects from finasteride may persist in men after discontinuation, indicating a potential "post-finasteride syndrome.
24 citations
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December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” This review discusses persistent sexual and nonsexual adverse effects of the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride in younger men, including erectile dysfunction, low libido, and depression. It reports no new clinical results but emphasizes further research is needed.
19 citations
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November 2012 in “BJUI” In this study, researchers observed that the sexual effects of dihydrotestosterone deprivation using finasteride may vary by handedness, with right-handed men often experiencing lower sexual function and left-handed men showing no effect or improvement.
112 citations
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July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” In this study, 96% of men with persistent sexual side effects from finasteride reported continued dysfunction after discontinuation, suggesting these effects may endure long-term.
February 2012 in “European Urology Supplements” Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting sexual side effects in young males.
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.