May 2024 in “Journal of clinical medicine” This review assessed the safety of oral antiandrogen treatments for female androgenetic alopecia, finding spironolactone to be potentially safe even in high-risk populations, but indicated ongoing uncertainty regarding other medications, especially for patients with a history of gynecologic cancers.
This study presents a case where a young male with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale, using finasteride, experienced symptomatic improvement after PFO closure and discontinuing finasteride, suggesting cardiovascular risks associated with the drug.
May 2024 in “European urology focus” In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors found no statistically significant association between the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors and the risk of depression or suicide among over two million studied patients.
April 2024 in “Journal of psychiatric research” This study observed that short-term administration of finasteride in male Wistar rats induced anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors, impaired spatial learning and memory, and reduced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, with a trend of increased corticosterone levels noted.
March 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Taking medication for hair loss might cause sexual problems.
March 2024 in “Facial plastic surgery clinics of North America” This chapter reviews treatment options for androgenetic alopecia, noting FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil for stabilizing or improving scalp coverage, positive off-label results with platelet-rich plasma, and effectiveness of hair transplantation using healthy follicular units.
March 2024 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” This study on male rats found that finasteride treatment led to the differential expression of several genes in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, hinting at potential links to observed side effects like depression, anxiety, and cognitive disturbances.
This review explores the risk factors, associated comorbidities, and psychological impacts of early-onset androgenetic alopecia, highlighting its complexity and potential implications for treatment response and overall health.
March 2024 in “Healthcare” In this study, women with androgenetic alopecia underwent stem cell treatment, which led to significant improvements in sexual arousal and satisfaction, psychological health, and environmental quality of life, but not in physical health or social relationships after six months.
November 2023 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” This study suggests that post-finasteride syndrome and post-SSRI sexual dysfunction share potential etiopathogenetic mechanisms involving brain modulators, neurotransmitters, and gut microbiota, although more research is needed to understand these conditions fully.
November 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This case report identified a maculopapular rash in a 76-year-old male, occurring 2 months after starting Finasteride for prostatic hyperplasia, with clinical and histologic evidence suggesting a drug-induced skin eruption.
3 citations
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September 2023 in “International journal of impotence research” The authors concluded that finasteride and dutasteride might have serious side effects, including persistent sexual dysfunction for some, necessitating further research and vigilant risk-benefit analysis.
August 2023 in “Psychology, Health & Medicine” This systemic review and meta-analysis found that men with androgenetic alopecia generally experience moderate impacts on quality of life, but limited evidence of severe effects on mental health.
August 2023 in “International journal of impotence research” This study evaluated dermatologists' beliefs and counseling practices regarding finasteride's adverse effects, revealing that while 51% believed it could cause sexual side effects, fewer associated it with depression or infertility, highlighting a need for increased awareness and improved patient counseling.
July 2023 in “JAAD International” This study describes androgenetic alopecia as a common non-scarring hair loss condition primarily influenced by genetic factors and androgen sensitivity, notably impacting psychosocial well-being, especially in females and younger males seeking treatment.
April 2023 in “Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice” In this study, androgenetic alopecia in Nigerians was associated with dyslipidemia, alcohol intake, and sedentary lifestyle, with severity linked to age, systolic blood pressure, and obesity.
1 citations
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March 2023 in “Scientific Reports” This cohort study found no overall increased risk of suicidal behaviors with finasteride versus dutasteride in men aged 50 and older, but suggested potential risk for those with a history of mood disorders.
December 2022 in “JAMA network open” This study found that men using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors showed an increased risk for dementia shortly after starting treatment, which diminished over time, and a consistent association with depression, but no link to suicide.
December 2022 in “PubMed” This study observed that one-third of men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia had altered hormonal profiles, which were associated with increased insulin resistance and more severe hair loss.
November 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine” This study found no direct association between androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome in the Chinese population, though AGA was closely linked with higher systolic blood pressure in men.
September 2022 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” This study found that in young men with post-finasteride syndrome, there are potential genetic risk factors associated with psychological and sexual dysfunctions, suggesting genetic screening may be beneficial before prescribing finasteride.
July 2022 in “Nigerian journal of medicine : journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria” This study found that androgenetic alopecia significantly impairs quality of life among Nigerian patients, especially in areas like emotions, stigmatization, and self-confidence, highlighting the importance of psychosocial support.
2 citations
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May 2022 in “International Journal of Impotence Research” This pharmacovigilance study found strong disproportionality signals suggesting an association between finasteride and Peyronie's disease-related clinical features, but the evidence does not confirm a causal link.
1 citations
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January 2022 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” This study found that androgenetic alopecia negatively impacts the emotional and social well-being of Polish men, particularly younger individuals, with 66.7% reporting a significant effect on self-esteem.
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.
11 citations
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October 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” This study found that topical finasteride significantly increased hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo while maintaining similar efficacy to oral finasteride but with lower systemic exposure and a reduced impact on serum DHT levels, potentially minimizing sexual side effects.
1 citations
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September 2021 in “Pharmaceutics” In this study, finasteride was shown to inhibit glioma stem-like cells and reduce glioblastoma proliferation, suggesting its potential as an anti-glioblastoma drug.
1 citations
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July 2021 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” This study suggests that finasteride is a safe and effective alternative therapy for women with hidradenitis suppurativa who have contraindications or intolerance to spironolactone.
2 citations
,
July 2021 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” This study found significant differences in gene expression, particularly in androgen receptor activity, between men with post-finasteride syndrome and healthy controls, suggesting a potential biological basis for the syndrome.
40 citations
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November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” This pharmacovigilance study found an increased association of suicidality and psychological adverse events with finasteride use, especially among younger patients using it for alopecia.
30 citations
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October 2020 in “Nature Communications” This study provides the first crystal structure of the human SRD5A2 enzyme, revealing key insights into its function and inhibition which may aid future drug development.
17 citations
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September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” This study found that the gut microbiota composition in patients with post-finasteride syndrome differs significantly from healthy controls, with reduced diversity and specific microbial changes, suggesting a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.
15 citations
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March 2020 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” This review discusses post-finasteride syndrome, characterized by persistent symptoms despite discontinuation, and concludes that its existence cannot be confirmed; individualized assessment is advisable for those with a history of depression, sexual dysfunction, or infertility.
32 citations
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March 2020 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” This review examines the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects of oral finasteride for female pattern hair loss, and discusses potential new treatments like topical finasteride and dutasteride, but reports no new clinical results.
3 citations
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January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders” This study observed that among dermatologists in Spain, topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the most commonly prescribed treatments for male androgenic alopecia, while oral dutasteride and oral minoxidil have seen increased use in recent years.
17 citations
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January 2020 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” This article discusses the potential health risks associated with long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride for prostate and hair loss treatments, suggesting risks may include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic issues.
6 citations
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January 2020 in “Dermatology” This study suggests that men under 40 who develop persistent sexual side effects and insomnia after using finasteride for alopecia may be at increased risk of suicide.
30 citations
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January 2020 in “Fertility and Sterility” This review discusses the evidence for post-finasteride syndrome as a condition potentially induced by finasteride and dutasteride, associating them with sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in a subset of men, and reports no new clinical results.
15 citations
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July 2019 in “Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry” This study found that finasteride effectively prevented testosterone-induced kidney stone formation in renal tubular cells by reducing COM crystal adhesion and crystallization.
10 citations
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May 2019 in “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats altered steroid hormone homeostasis and caused kidney damage, suggesting potential risks for patients with renal dysfunction on androgen or antiandrogen therapy.
29 citations
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April 2019 in “BMJ. British medical journal” This study concluded that men with benign prostatic hyperplasia receiving steroid 5α-reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride or finasteride, have a higher risk of developing new onset type 2 diabetes compared to those taking tamsulosin.
18 citations
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March 2019 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” This study found that finasteride use was not associated with sexual dysfunction in men with androgenetic alopecia, consistent with other large survey-based controlled studies.
8 citations
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July 2018 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” This review discusses post-finasteride syndrome, emphasizing its serious psychological and cognitive symptoms and the need for more research and awareness in the medical community, but provides no new clinical findings.
40 citations
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April 2018 in “Endocrine” This review discusses post-SSRI sexual dysfunction and post-finasteride syndrome, highlighting unknowns about their true incidence and underlying causes, and reports no new clinical results.
178 citations
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April 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” This systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy significantly improve hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, while minoxidil is also effective for women, compared to placebo.
50 citations
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March 2017 in “PeerJ” This study found that longer exposure to 5α-reductase inhibitors significantly increased the risk of persistent erectile dysfunction, especially in younger men exposed to finasteride.
2 citations
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January 2016 in “Andrology” This case report study presents two instances of post-finasteride syndrome, highlighting the persistence of sexual adverse effects despite discontinuation of the drug, and underscores the need for increased awareness and understanding of this condition.
111 citations
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August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” 5α-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, needing more research on long-term effects.
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.
73 citations
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July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” This study observed that androgenic alopecia patients taking finasteride had altered neuroactive steroid levels and persistent depression symptoms even after stopping the treatment.
1 citations
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January 2012 in “Human health handbooks” This article reviews androgenetic alopecia and its genetic and hormonal influences, treatment options like minoxidil and finasteride, and its potential associations with other health conditions, reporting no new clinical results.
75 citations
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December 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This review discusses female pattern hair loss, its psychological impact, and available treatments but provides no new clinical findings; the authors emphasize early intervention for better outcomes.
239 citations
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November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” In this study, finasteride 1 mg/day for 12 months did not improve hair growth or slow hair thinning in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo.
416 citations
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September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
