Post-Finasteride Syndrome: An Emerging Clinical Problem

May 2020 in “ Neurobiology of Stress ”

Silvia Diviccaro, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi, Silvia Giatti

finasteride post-finasteride syndrome neurosteroid gut microbiome Propecia

TLDR Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.

The document discusses post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), a condition that can occur in some individuals after taking the medication finasteride for hair loss or prostate enlargement. PFS is characterized by persistent sexual, neurological, and physical side effects even after discontinuing the medication. The exact cause of PFS is not fully understood, but it may involve changes in neurosteroid levels and alterations in the gut microbiome. The paper highlights the need for further research into PFS and its potential long-term effects.

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research Altered Methylation Pattern of the SRD5A2 Gene in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Post-Finasteride Patients: A Pilot Study

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research Assessing Finasteride-Associated Sexual Dysfunction Using the FAERS Database

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19 citations , August 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

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research Interventions for Female Pattern Hair Loss

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

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11 citations , October 2015 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Finasteride doesn't negatively affect sexual function in Indian men with hair loss.

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44 citations , June 2015 in “PubMed”

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

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

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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”

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research A Pharmacogenetic Survey of Androgen Receptor (CAG)N and (GGN)N Polymorphisms in Patients Experiencing Long-Term Side Effects After Finasteride Discontinuation

16 citations , December 2014 in “International Journal of Biological Markers”

Longer CAG and GGN repeats increase alopecia risk, but no significant link to post-finasteride syndrome found.

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32 citations , November 2014 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

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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

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research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update

151 citations , May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

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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”

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research A Pilot Study on the Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride as Related to Hand Preference for Men Undergoing Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness

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research Finasteride 5 mg/Day Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss in Normo-Androgenetic Postmenopausal Women

44 citations , January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

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

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

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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”

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research Efficacy of Finasteride 1.25 mg on Female Pattern Hair Loss: Pilot Study

10 citations , July 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Finasteride 1.25 mg showed small improvements in hair density and thickness for female pattern hair loss, but more research is needed.

research Effects of Oral Finasteride on Erectile Function in a Rat Model

25 citations , May 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride reduces corpus cavernosum weight but doesn't affect erectile response in rats.

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

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

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research 5 mg/Day Finasteride Treatment for Normoandrogenic Asian Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss

64 citations , February 2011 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Finasteride improves hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.

research Finasteride-Induced Depression: New Insights Into Possible Pathomechanisms

22 citations , December 2010 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.

research Finasteride Treatment Inhibits Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mice

32 citations , May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry”

Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.

research Changes of Metabolic Profile in Men Treated for Androgenetic Alopecia with 1 mg Finasteride

24 citations , January 2010 in “Endocrine Regulations”

Taking 1mg of finasteride daily can mildly improve metabolic health and glucose regulation in men with male pattern baldness.

research Hair Loss in Women: Comprehensive Overview and Treatment Options

81 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

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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”

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

137 citations , March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

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research Evaluation of Sexual Function With an International Index of Erectile Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

44 citations , July 2004 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride for hair loss has minimal impact on sexual function.

research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

408 citations , May 2004 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.

research Female Androgenetic Alopecia Treated by Finasteride: A Case Study

6 citations , January 2004 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

research Hair Loss in Women with Hyperandrogenism: Four Cases Responding to Finasteride

92 citations , November 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride improves hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism.

research Finasteride for Female Androgenetic Alopecia

51 citations , October 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.

research Evaluation of Sexual Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

36 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Finasteride doesn't reduce sexual function in people with hair loss.

research Lack of Efficacy of Finasteride in Postmenopausal Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

239 citations , November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.

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”

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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.