Penile Vascular Abnormalities in Young Men with Persistent Side Effects After Finasteride Use for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

June 2020 in “ Translational Andrology and Urology ”

Mohit Khera, Jeffrey K. Than, James Anaissie, Ali Antar, Weitao Song, Boriss Losso, Alexander W. Pastuszak, Taylor P. Kohn, Jorge Rivera Mirabal

finasteride androgenic alopecia 5-alpha reductase inhibitors penile vascular abnormalities sexual side effects genitourinary side effects psycho-cognitive side effects anti-androgenic changes Propecia AGA 5ARI

TLDR Finasteride for hair loss may cause lasting sexual, genitourinary, mental, and anti-androgenic side effects in young men.

The study investigated the persistent side effects of finasteride use for androgenic alopecia in young men. The study found that the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) for AGA may lead to persistent sexual, genitourinary, psycho-cognitive, and anti-androgenic changes even after discontinuation of the therapy. The study also presented data on penile vascular abnormalities in young men with persistent side effects after finasteride use for the treatment of AGA. The study recommends additional clinical studies to assess non-sexual side effects that may persist after discontinuation of the drug and suggests that patients should be extensively counseled and monitored for possible side effects after initiation and discontinuation of this medication class.

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Research cited in this study

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research A Review of the FAERS Data on 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: Implications for Postfinasteride Syndrome

35 citations , June 2018 in “Urology”

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research Persistent Erectile Dysfunction in Men Exposed to 5α-Reductase Inhibitors, Finasteride, or Dutasteride

50 citations , March 2017 in “PeerJ”

Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.

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

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

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

research Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool’s Gold

31 citations , February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride can cause serious emotional side effects; doctors should check patients' mental health history before prescribing.

An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

research An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations , January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology”

Finasteride caused long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects in young men with hair loss.

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.

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.

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.

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