Faculty Opinions Recommendation of Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians
TLDR Clinicians need to better understand and treat Post-finasteride syndrome.
The document discussed Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), which involved serious adverse side effects such as sexual, neurological, physical, and mental issues in men using finasteride for pattern hair loss or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Despite reports of persistent side effects, the medical community had not recognized PFS as a distinct condition, and no effective treatments were available. The document highlighted that finasteride and dutasteride were linked to sexual dysfunction and increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in some men. It emphasized the need for better understanding of PFS's pathophysiological mechanisms to develop new treatments, noting that current studies often had incomplete data on adverse effects.
