Effects of Oral Finasteride on Erectile Function in a Rat Model

February 2012 in “ The Journal of Sexual Medicine ”

Ming Zhang, Wei Wu, C. C. Zhang, X. F. Wang, Pengfei Gao, Ying Lu, Zhi-Xun Shen

finasteride corpus cavernosum cavernous nerve Propecia

Studysummary In this study, oral finasteride treatment for four weeks reduced the weight of the corpus cavernosum in rats but did not significantly affect erectile function. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study investigated the effects of oral finasteride on erectile function in rats. The study found that finasteride treatment resulted in a reduction of the weight of the corpus cavernosum but did not affect the erectile responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The study suggests that further research is necessary to demonstrate the long-term effects of finasteride on both central and peripheral neural pathways of erection.

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

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

This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.

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”

This review discusses persistent adverse effects of 5α‐reductase inhibitors, like diminished libido and erectile dysfunction, in some patients and highlights the need for patient discussions before therapy, especially for androgenetic alopecia.

research Finasteride: Its Impact on Sexual Function and Prostate Cancer

33 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

This study found no clear evidence that finasteride negatively affects erectile function, though it does cause a reduction in ejaculatory volume and has potential implications for prostate cancer risk.

research 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Erectile Dysfunction: The Connection

78 citations , December 2008 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This review highlights that sexual dysfunction associated with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors is recognized in clinical literature, with erectile dysfunction being the most common adverse effect, followed by ejaculatory dysfunction and decreased libido.

research The Effect of 5-Reductase Inhibitors on Erectile Function

31 citations , September 2008 in “International Journal of Andrology”

This review examined studies on erectile dysfunction and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, concluding that these drugs do not significantly cause erectile dysfunction and emphasizing testosterone's importance over dihydrotestosterone in erectile function.

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”

In this study, patients informed about finasteride's potential sexual side effects reported a significantly higher occurrence of these side effects, suggesting a nocebo effect.

Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

44 citations , July 2004 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, treatment with 1 mg of finasteride was associated with stable sexual function, suggesting that sexual side effects may be less common than indicated in clinical trials.

research Finasteride, a Type 2 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations , April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

Clinical studies reported that finasteride reduces scalp dihydrotestosterone levels and improves hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, supporting its role as a treatment option.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.