Characteristics of Men Who Report Persistent Sexual Symptoms After Finasteride Use for Hair Loss

September 2016 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism ”

Shehzad Basaria, Ravi Jasuja, Grace Huang, Whitney Wharton, Hong Pan, Karol M. Pencina, Zhuoying Li, Thomas G. Travison, Jag Bhawan, Renaud Gonthier, Fernand Labrie, Alain Y. Dury, Carlo Serra, Allen Papazian, Michael P. O'Leary, Sami S. Amr, Thomas W. Storer, Emily Stern, Shalender Bhasin

finasteride hair loss depression anxiety cognitive symptoms sexual function quality of life Propecia

TLDR Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.

This document summarizes a study that investigated the characteristics of men who reported persistent sexual symptoms after using finasteride for hair loss. The study found that these men had higher rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms compared to men who did not report persistent symptoms. They also had lower scores on sexual function questionnaires and reported a decrease in quality of life. The study suggests that healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for persistent sexual symptoms in men using finasteride for hair loss and should monitor patients for these symptoms.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Persistent Sexual Dysfunction and Suicidal Ideation in Young Men Treated with Low-Dose Finasteride: A Pharmacovigilance Study

69 citations, July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.

Finasteride, Not Tamsulosin, Increases Severity of Erectile Dysfunction and Decreases Testosterone Levels in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research Finasteride, Not Tamsulosin, Increases Severity of Erectile Dysfunction and Decreases Testosterone Levels in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

20 citations, June 2015 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation”

Finasteride worsens erectile dysfunction and lowers testosterone in men with enlarged prostates, unlike tamsulosin.

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Androgen Receptor and Nerve Structure Density in Human Prepuce from Patients with Persistent Sexual Side Effects after Finasteride Use for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Androgen Receptor and Nerve Structure Density in Human Prepuce from Patients with Persistent Sexual Side Effects after Finasteride Use for Androgenetic Alopecia

36 citations, June 2014 in “PLOS ONE”

Finasteride, a hair loss drug, may cause long-term sexual side effects due to changes in hormone receptor levels.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations, June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.

Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

73 citations, July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations, August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They Be Permanent?

112 citations, July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride may cause long-lasting sexual side effects.

research Tissue-Selective Regulation of Androgen-Responsive Genes

14 citations, May 2012 in “Endocrine Research”

The same hormone can affect gene expression differently in various tissues, which could lead to new treatments for conditions like hair loss.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations, March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

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

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

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.

research The Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibition with Dutasteride and Finasteride on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormones in Healthy Men

195 citations, February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Dutasteride and finasteride may reduce sperm count and volume but don't affect movement or shape; effects are reversible after stopping.

research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

408 citations, May 2004 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.

research Depression Related to Finasteride Administration for Androgenetic Alopecia

88 citations, October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause depression, affecting sleep and relationships.

research Chronic Treatment with Finasteride Daily Does Not Affect Spermatogenesis or Semen Production in Young Men

104 citations, October 1999 in “The Journal of Urology”

Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

180 citations, September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects self-esteem and quality of life; treatments can help.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations, October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations, August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.