Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

April 2014 in “ The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ”

Donatella Caruso, Federico Abbiati, Silvia Giatti, Simone Romano, Letizia Fusco, Guido Cavaletti, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi

finasteride male pattern hair loss neuroactive steroids cerebrospinal fluid plasma sexual side effects anxious symptomatology depressive symptomatology Propecia

Studysummary This study reports that men with androgenic alopecia experience altered neuroactive steroid levels associated with persistent depression symptoms even after stopping finasteride treatment.

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Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

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 , 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.

research Decreased Alcohol Consumption Among Former Male Users of Finasteride with Persistent Sexual Side Effects: A Preliminary Report

27 citations , June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”

In this study, 65% of men with persistent sexual side effects after stopping finasteride reported a reduction in alcohol consumption, echoing findings in rodent models.

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”

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.

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

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

In this study, 96% of men with persistent sexual side effects from finasteride reported continued dysfunction after discontinuation, suggesting these effects may endure long-term.

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

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

This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.

research Finasteride-Induced Depression: New Insights Into Possible Pathomechanisms

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

The authors concluded that finasteride treatment inhibits hippocampal neurogenesis in mice, potentially impacting emotional behaviors and contributing to the pathophysiology of affective disorders.

research Finasteride Treatment Inhibits Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mice

32 citations , May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry”

This article investigates whether finasteride influences adult hippocampal neurogenesis related to depression and reports no new clinical findings; the authors suggest further research on its neurosteroid inhibition.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that dutasteride increased scalp hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss, particularly at a 2.5 mg dose, and was more effective than finasteride over 24 weeks.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations , October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

This preliminary study suggests that finasteride might cause depressive symptoms, indicating the need for cautious prescription in patients at high risk for depression.

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

137 citations , March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

This review explores finasteride's effects on neuroactive steroid levels and their potential influence on disorders like depression and alcohol withdrawal but reports no new clinical findings.

research Depression Related to Finasteride Administration for Androgenetic Alopecia

88 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, 19 patients treated with finasteride for androgenetic alopecia developed moderate to severe depression, which resolved after stopping the medication, suggesting an association between finasteride and mood disturbances.

research Finasteride

125 citations , January 1999 in “Drugs”

This study found that oral finasteride 1 mg/day promotes hair growth and prevents further hair loss in a significant proportion of men with male pattern hair loss over two years.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In male pattern hair loss, this study found that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly slowed hair loss and increased hair growth over two years compared to placebo.