TLDR Man experienced lasting sexual issues and stress from finasteride, accused doctor of malpractice.
A 31-year-old man developed post-finasteride syndrome, including reduced sexual desire, difficulties with erection, and severe psychological stress, during treatment with finasteride for androgenetic alopecia. The patient reported suffering from sexual dysfunction, but the dermatologist continued to prescribe the medication, explaining that the side effects were reversible. The patient eventually stopped taking finasteride, but his symptoms persisted, leading him to research post-finasteride syndrome. He accused the dermatologist of malpractice for not adequately informing him of the severe side effects, but the accusation was denied due to the limited scientific knowledge of the side effects at the time of prescription.
40 citations,
April 2018 in “Endocrine” PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.
8 citations,
July 2018 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects, needing more research for treatment.
33 citations,
January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
June 2024 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride treats hair loss but may cause low libido, erectile issues, and depression.
3 citations,
September 2023 in “International journal of impotence research” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, mental, and physical issues, needing more research for solutions.
26 citations,
December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.
