December 2022 in “JAMA network open” This study found that men using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors showed an increased risk for dementia shortly after starting treatment, which diminished over time, and a consistent association with depression, but no link to suicide.
1 citations
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April 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This review highlights that androgenetic alopecia significantly impacts psychological well-being and quality of life, emphasizing the need for integrated psychological support alongside dermatological treatment.
4 citations
,
August 2021 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” This review summarizes the association between 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and depression, discussing potential mechanisms such as neuroactive steroid alterations and neuroinflammation, but reports no new clinical results.
7 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” In this study, finasteride treatment was associated with an increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and persistent sexual dysfunction compared to those not treated with the drug.
40 citations
,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” This pharmacovigilance study found an increased association of suicidality and psychological adverse events with finasteride use, especially among younger patients using it for alopecia.
5 citations
,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause side effects; more research needed.
9 citations
,
April 2020 in “The Journal of Urology” This study found that initiation of 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride is not associated with an increased risk of depression in veterans, suggesting depression may be linked to underlying health conditions instead.
6 citations
,
January 2020 in “Dermatology” This study suggests that men under 40 who develop persistent sexual side effects and insomnia after using finasteride for alopecia may be at increased risk of suicide.
35 citations
,
June 2018 in “Urology” This study of FAERS data suggests that finasteride, particularly at the 1 mg dosage, is associated with a wide range of adverse effects not previously established in long-term studies, especially among younger men.
90 citations
,
March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine” In this study, older men using 5α-reductase inhibitors for prostatic enlargement did not show increased risk of suicide, but had elevated risks of self-harm and depression.
31 citations
,
February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health” This study found that nearly half of men using finasteride reported clinically significant depression, highlighting the need for psychiatric screening and careful risk assessment by prescribing clinicians.
43 citations
,
January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology” This study found that men experiencing long-term symptoms after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia frequently reported loss of penis sensitivity and anhedonia, among other effects, indicating potential post-finasteride syndrome.
33 citations
,
January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” This review examines medical literature on postfinasteride syndrome and reports no new results; the authors call for more controlled studies on permanent sexual dysfunction and mood changes linked to 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
69 citations
,
July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” This study found that low-dose finasteride use in young men was associated with higher reporting of persistent sexual dysfunction, with some cases linked to suicidal ideation.
81 citations
,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” This study highlights that adverse effects from finasteride may persist in men after discontinuation, indicating a potential "post-finasteride syndrome.
73 citations
,
July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” This study observed that androgenic alopecia patients taking finasteride had altered neuroactive steroid levels and persistent depression symptoms even after stopping the treatment.
134 citations
,
August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” This study found that former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects reported significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to controls.
2 citations
,
September 2009 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” This study found that low-dose finasteride treatment in men with premature androgenetic alopecia decreased levels of 5α-reduced steroids, which may be linked to increased depression symptoms.
