Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss
June 2011
in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”
TLDR Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.
The study investigated the persistent sexual side effects of finasteride, a medication used for male pattern hair loss. The study found that a subset of men taking finasteride developed persistent sexual side effects, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased arousal, and problems with orgasm. The mean duration of these side effects was at least 40 months, with some subjects reporting durations of over 6 years. The study suggests that healthcare providers should inform patients of the potential for these side effects before prescribing finasteride.
View this study on sciencedirect.com →
Cited in this study
research Adverse Side Effects of 5α‐Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido and Erectile Dysfunction and Depression in a Subset of Patients
Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
research The Effect of 5 -Reductase Inhibitors on Erectile Function
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may cause a low incidence of erectile dysfunction that decreases over time.
research The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride
Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.
research The Effects of Transdermal Dihydrotestosterone in the Aging Male: A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind Study
Dihydrotestosterone gel improved well-being and sexual function in older men without negatively affecting prostate health.
research Finasteride
Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.
research Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.
Related
research Ethnopharmacological Review of Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Alopecia
Various medicinal plants like Polygonum multiflorum, Red ginseng extract, and Zizyphus jujuba can potentially treat hair loss, offering benefits like low cost and multiple ways of working. Other effective natural substances include Pygeum africanum, Seneroa, Urtica dioica, and more.
research Evaluating the Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma and 1550 nm Fractional Laser in Combination and Alone for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia
research Combination therapy with oral minoxidil and dutasteride in the treatment of male patterned baldness: A case report
Using oral minoxidil and dutasteride together can quickly increase hair growth and volume with minimal side effects.
research Pharmacological therapeutics in androgenetic alopecia
research 200 Uncommon finasteride side effects in male androgenic alopecia
research Finasteride in The Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia
Finasteride may help postmenopausal women with hair loss but is not effective for all and should be used cautiously in premenopausal women.
research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss
Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.
research Topical Finasteride in Hirsutism: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial on Adult Women
research Advances in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: a brief review of finasteride studies.
Finasteride is effective in growing hair and stopping hair loss in men with mild to moderate alopecia.