The Persistent Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Used in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia on Men’s Health
January 2020
in “
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
”
5α-reductase inhibitors androgenic alopecia International Index of Erectile Function vascular abnormality genitourinary changes physical changes psycho-cognitive changes anti-androgenic changes penile vascular changes finasteride 5ARIs AGA IIEF vascular issues genitourinary issues physical issues cognitive issues anti-androgenic effects penile vascular issues Propecia
TLDR Using 5α-reductase inhibitors for hair loss can cause lasting sexual, physical, mental, and vascular health issues in men, even after stopping the medication.
Three years ago, a retrospective case-control study was conducted on 50 men to understand the persistent effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), used in treating androgenic alopecia (AGA), on various aspects of men's health. The study found a significant difference in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score between the 25 men who had used 5ARIs and the control group. Furthermore, 68% of the men who had used 5ARIs had a vascular abnormality. The study concluded that besides the well-known sexual side effects, 5ARIs may cause persistent genitourinary, physical, psycho-cognitive, anti-androgenic, and penile vascular changes even after discontinuation. The Post Finasteride Syndrome Foundation supported this study.
