Disproportional Signal of Sexual Dysfunction Reports Associated with Finasteride Use in Young Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pharmacovigilance Analysis of VigiBase

A pharmacovigilance analysis using VigiBase revealed a significant association between finasteride use and reports of sexual dysfunction in young men with androgenetic alopecia. The study identified 7700 reports of sexual dysfunction, with a reporting odds ratio of 50.3 (95% CI, 49.0-51.6). Subgroup analyses indicated that the association was particularly strong in men under 45 years old and those using finasteride for androgenetic alopecia, with reporting odds ratios of 56.4 and 64.9, respectively. The findings suggest that while some of the increased reporting may be due to confounding factors and stimulated reporting, there is likely a true underlying effect of finasteride on sexual dysfunction.