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

August 2012 in “ The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry ”

Michael S. Irwig

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finasteride male pattern hair loss depressive symptoms suicidal thoughts Propecia

Studysummary This study found that former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects reported significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to controls.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer ·

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community Popular hair loss drug linked to higher suicide risk: compared to non-users, finasteride (Proscar/ Propecia) users have a markedly increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Over 30 years of observation, 19,320 suicides were expected.

494 upvotes 11 months ago

Finasteride users may have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, though some attribute these issues to hair loss itself. The link between finasteride and mental health effects is debated, with varying user experiences.

community Any finasteride users have a history of depression?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 26 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation discusses finasteride for hair loss, especially among those with a history of depression. Users shared mixed experiences, with some reporting no issues and others experiencing worsened depression.

community Sides from fin vs. depression from hair loss

17 upvotes 5 years ago

The conversation discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between side effects of finasteride (like brain fog and loss of libido) and depression caused by hair loss. Users share experiences of severe depression while on finasteride, leading some to stop the treatment despite anxiety over hair loss.

community Hair Loss Causes Depression. Not Finasteride.

187 upvotes 7 months ago

Finasteride and Dutasteride do not cause depression or mood disorders; hair loss itself may be a more significant factor. Some users experience side effects from Finasteride, but it is generally well-tolerated.

community My husband has experienced depression and suicidal thoughts from finasteride

32 upvotes 1 month ago

Finasteride caused depression and suicidal thoughts in OP's husband, leading him to stop the medication. He is seeing a doctor for a full hormone panel and psychiatric referral to address these issues.

community Common hair-loss drug consistently associated with higher rates of psychiatric harm

in Research/Science 183 upvotes 11 months ago

Finasteride and dutasteride can cause psychiatric side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts in some users, especially those with a history of mental health issues. While some users experience positive hair growth results, others face severe psychological effects, raising concerns about their safety and the need for careful monitoring.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Sexual Adverse Effects of Finasteride 1mg for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men

January 2017 in “Scripta Scientifica Vox Studentium”

This review discusses the sexual side effects of long-term finasteride usage in men, noting varied reports of sexual dysfunction which typically improve over time; it presents no new experimental data.

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

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

In this study, 96% of men with persistent sexual side effects from finasteride reported continued dysfunction after discontinuation, suggesting these effects may endure long-term.