Global Online Interest in Finasteride Sexual Side Effects

September 2022 in “ International Journal of Impotence Research ”

Kian Asanad, Tamir Sholklapper, Mary K. Samplaski, Giovanni Cacciamani

finasteride finasteride side effects post-finasteride syndrome FDA warning Propecia

TLDR Public interest in finasteride's sexual side effects has significantly increased.

The study analyzed global online interest in the sexual side effects of finasteride using Google search data from 2004 to 2020. It found a significant increase in searches for terms like "finasteride," "finasteride side effects," and "post-finasteride syndrome," especially after the FDA's 2011 warning about these side effects. The average annual relative search volume (ARSV) for "finasteride" rose from 14.8% in 2004 to 57.3% in 2020, with an annual percentage change (APC) of +9.25%. Similar trends were observed for "finasteride side effects" (APC: +20.7%) and "post-finasteride syndrome" (APC: +29.2%). The findings suggest increased public awareness and highlight the need for healthcare providers to discuss potential side effects with patients before prescribing finasteride.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research The Shifting Preferences of Patients and Physicians in Nonsurgical Hair Loss Treatment

7 citations, September 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Minoxidil and Finasteride are the most popular hair loss treatments, with rising interest in other options, and economic or health crises can change what treatments people prefer.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians

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Finasteride can cause serious side effects in some men, needing more research for treatment.

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Long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride can cause serious health issues like diabetes and liver problems.

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152 citations, October 2010 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

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Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

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7 / 7 results

research Global Online Interest in Finasteride Sexual Side Effects

September 2022 in “International Journal of Impotence Research”

Public interest in finasteride's sexual side effects has significantly increased.

research Consulting 'Dr. Google' for Finasteride Sexual Side Effects: A Contemporary Worldwide Trends Analysis

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Public interest in finasteride's sexual side effects has significantly increased, highlighting the need for better patient discussions.

research Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

10 citations, October 2018 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

Men using hair loss drugs like finasteride may experience sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but it's unclear who will be affected and when. Treating depression and sexual symptoms is suggested, as these men often have higher rates of both. More research is needed to understand why these side effects occur.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

40 citations, April 2018 in “Endocrine”

PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.

research Oral Finasteride Presents With Sexual-Unrelated Withdrawal in Long-Term Treated Androgenic Alopecia in Men

3 citations, September 2015 in “PubMed”

Most men stopped using the hair loss treatment not because of sexual side effects, but because they didn't see positive results.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

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research Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

225 citations, July 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.

Global Online Interest in Finasteride Sexual Side Effects

Research cited in this study

research The Shifting Preferences of Patients and Physicians in Nonsurgical Hair Loss Treatment

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians

research Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use: It's Time to Sound the Alarm

research Efficacy and Safety of 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Monotherapy in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Meta-Analysis

research Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

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