Post-Finasteride Syndrome and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

April 2018 in “ Endocrine ”

Silvia Giatti, Silvia Diviccaro, Giancarlo Panzica, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi

post-finasteride syndrome post-SSRI sexual dysfunction dopamine serotonin neuroactive steroids PFS PSSD

TLDR PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.

This document discusses the similarities between post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) and post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), both of which involve persistent sexual dysfunction after discontinuing medication. The conditions share similarities in their symptoms and mechanisms of action, suggesting that they may be two sides of the same coin. The document explores the potential mechanisms behind these conditions, including the role of dopamine, serotonin, and neuroactive steroids. However, more research is needed to fully understand the link between these conditions.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

32 / 32 results

research Molecular Basis of Androgen Action on Human Sexual Desire

12 citations , May 2018 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Testosterone significantly affects sexual desire in both men and women, but its impact on women is more complex and influenced by psychological factors.

research Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool’s Gold

31 citations , January 2018 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

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

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations , July 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

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 Safety Profile of Finasteride: Distribution of Adverse Effects According to Structural and Informational Dichotomies of the Mind/Brain

8 citations , February 2017 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction and depression, which may persist and require hormonal treatment.

research Exploring the Neural Mechanisms of Finasteride: A Proteomic Analysis in the Nucleus Accumbens

14 citations , December 2016 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride affects brain processes related to neurotransmission and metabolism, potentially helping with neuropsychiatric conditions.

research Persistent Sexual Dysfunction with Finasteride 1 mg Taken for Hair Loss

19 citations , October 2016 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride for hair loss increases risk of long-lasting sexual 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 Finasteride Adverse Effects in Subjects with Androgenic Alopecia: A Possible Therapeutic Approach According to the Lateralization Process of the Brain

21 citations , April 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Finasteride may cause mental and sexual side effects, with hand preference and sexual orientation possibly affecting severity.

research Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

123 citations , February 2016 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology”

New targets for making and using brain-synthesized steroids could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and alcoholism.

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 Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain

33 citations , January 2016 in “Neuroendocrinology”

Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.

research Investigation of the Plausibility of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Syndrome

33 citations , January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders”

The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.

research Sexual Dysfunction Related to Drugs: A Critical Review. Part V: Alpha-Blocker and 5-ARI Drugs

15 citations , November 2015 in “Pharmacopsychiatry”

α-Blockers and 5-ARIs for BPH can cause sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculatory issues.

research New Steps Forward in the Neuroactive Steroid Field

31 citations , September 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Neuroactive steroids could become safe, effective treatments with more understanding of their complex brain actions and metabolism.

research Persistent Sexual Dysfunction and Suicidal Ideation in Young Men Treated with Low-Dose Finasteride: A Pharmacovigilance Study

69 citations , July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations , May 2015 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

61 citations , February 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.

research Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Androgen Receptor and Nerve Structure Density in Human Prepuce from Patients with Persistent Sexual Side Effects after Finasteride Use for Androgenetic Alopecia

36 citations , June 2014 in “PLOS ONE”

Finasteride, a hair loss drug, may cause long-term sexual side effects due to changes in hormone receptor levels.

research Decreased Alcohol Consumption Among Former Male Users of Finasteride with Persistent Sexual Side Effects: A Preliminary Report

27 citations , November 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”

Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

73 citations , October 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.

research Effects of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors on Erectile Function, Sexual Desire, and Ejaculation

71 citations , November 2012 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual desire, sometimes lasting after stopping the drug.

research Inhibitors of 5α-Reductase-Related Side Effects in Patients Seeking Medical Care for Sexual Dysfunction

13 citations , November 2012 in “PubMed”

5α-reductase inhibitors may worsen sexual drive and spontaneous erections but don't worsen existing erectile or ejaculatory problems.

research 5α-Reductases in Human Physiology: An Unfolding Story

44 citations , November 2012 in “Endocrine Practice”

We need to learn more about 5α-reductases and neuroactive steroids to safely make drugs targeting these enzymes.

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

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

Finasteride may cause long-lasting sexual side effects.

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

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

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

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

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

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

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations , October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

137 citations , March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.

research Depression Related to Finasteride Administration for Androgenetic Alopecia

88 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause depression, affecting sleep and relationships.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

7 / 7 results

research Consulting 'Dr. Google' for Finasteride Sexual Side Effects: A Contemporary Worldwide Trends Analysis

September 2021 in “Fertility and Sterility”

research Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

10 citations , April 2019 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

Men using hair loss drugs like finasteride may experience sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but it's unclear who will be affected and when. Treating depression and sexual symptoms is suggested, as these men often have higher rates of both. More research is needed to understand why these side effects occur.

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

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

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

225 citations , November 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.