Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

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

Alicia A. Walf, Shan Kaurejo, Cheryl A. Frye

finasteride antiandrogenic estrogenic neuroactive steroids Propecia

TLDR Finasteride use can cause lasting negative effects like sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues.

This research brief analyzed self-reports of persistent antiandrogenic, estrogenic, physical, and psychological effects of finasteride usage among men. The study found that men who used finasteride experienced persistent negative effects, including sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. These effects were linked to changes in neuroactive steroid levels. The authors recommend further research to better understand the risks and benefits of using finasteride.

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23 / 23 results

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 Finasteride as a Model for Personalized Medicine

5 citations , October 2017 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences”

research Are Hand Preference And Sexual Orientation Possible Predicting Factors For Finasteride Adverse Effects In Male Androgenic Alopecia?

12 citations , July 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hand preference and sexual orientation may predict finasteride side effects in male hair loss.

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 Finasteride, Not Tamsulosin, Increases Severity of Erectile Dysfunction and Decreases Testosterone Levels in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

20 citations , June 2015 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation”

Finasteride worsens erectile dysfunction and lowers testosterone in men with enlarged prostates, unlike tamsulosin.

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 Androgen Levels and Semen Parameters Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Adverse Effects

15 citations , December 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology”

research Persistent Sexual and Nonsexual Adverse Effects of Finasteride in Younger Men

24 citations , January 2014 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.

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

19 citations , April 2013 in “BJUI”

Left-handed men experience more sexual side effects from finasteride treatment.

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 Finasteride Attenuates Pathological Gambling in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

35 citations , June 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology”

Finasteride reduces gambling symptoms in Parkinson's patients.

research A Preliminary Study of Finasteride in Tourette Syndrome

46 citations , September 2011 in “Movement Disorders”

Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.

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 Treatment With and Withdrawal From Finasteride Alter Ethanol Intake Patterns in Male C57BL/6J Mice: Potential Role of Endogenous Neurosteroids

54 citations , August 2005 in “Alcohol”

Finasteride affects alcohol intake in male mice, possibly due to neurosteroids.

research Finasteride

125 citations , January 1999 in “Drugs”

Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

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.

2 / 2 results

research Finasteride-Induced Gynecomastia in a 62-Year-Old Man

15 citations , June 1995 in “The American Journal of the Medical Sciences”

Finasteride caused enlarged breast tissue in a 62-year-old man.

research Effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on serum gonadotropins in normal men.

30 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.