TLDR Finasteride withdrawal causes anxiety-like behavior in male rats.
The study examines the impact of finasteride withdrawal on adult male rats, revealing significant behavioral changes post-withdrawal. After 20 days of finasteride treatment followed by a 1-month withdrawal, rats exhibited hyperactivity, reduced exploration, and avoidance of novel stimuli, suggesting anxiety-like behavior. These results are consistent with clinical observations of post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) and highlight the need for careful monitoring of patients undergoing finasteride therapy. The study utilized behavioral tests such as the open field test, elevated plus maze, and novelty-seeking test, with groups of 8 to 10 rats per condition.
November 2023 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Some people experience lasting sexual, psychological, and sleep problems after using finasteride or SSRI antidepressants, possibly due to similar underlying causes.
July 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Topical finasteride may be safer than oral finasteride, but more research is needed.
December 2020 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can have lasting negative effects on brain function and behavior by disrupting neurosteroid production.
May 2023 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Men with self-diagnosed PFS-related ED have normal erectile hemodynamics.
January 2016 in “Hair transplant forum international” Finasteride's link to health issues like male breast cancer, infertility, and prostate cancer needs more research through placebo-controlled trials to confirm.
November 2016 in “Hair transplant forum international” The conclusion is that more research is needed to understand if the drug finasteride causes Post-Finasteride Syndrome or if it's due to individual genetic makeup.
