61 citations,
April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.
73 citations,
July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.
December 2013 in “Reactions Weekly” Some men taking finasteride for hair loss experienced anxiety, depression, and sexual problems, which sometimes continued after stopping the medication.
24 citations,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
26 citations,
December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.
90 citations,
March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine” Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.
81 citations,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.
75 citations,
January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
58 citations,
April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.
54 citations,
May 2018 in “International journal of risk & safety in medicine” Antidepressants, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and isotretinoin can cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction.
50 citations,
March 2017 in “PeerJ” Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.
50 citations,
September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.
43 citations,
January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology” Finasteride caused long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects in young men with hair loss.
40 citations,
April 2018 in “Endocrine” PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.
37 citations,
September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment in male rats causes long-lasting effects on depression-like behavior, brain cell growth, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition.
35 citations,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
33 citations,
December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.
31 citations,
January 2017 in “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” Low testosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors can harm men's metabolic and sexual health; testosterone therapy may help, but discussing 5α-RIs' side effects is important.
31 citations,
February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause serious emotional side effects; doctors should check patients' mental health history before prescribing.
31 citations,
March 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Neuroactive steroids could become safe, effective treatments with more understanding of their complex brain actions and metabolism.
23 citations,
October 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Consider benefits and risks of new alopecia treatments for safety.
20 citations,
November 2019 in “Biomolecules” Finasteride reduces response to stress and rewards, affecting behavior and mental health.
20 citations,
June 2017 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Long-term use of dutasteride for enlarged prostate may worsen blood sugar, cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction.
17 citations,
September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
15 citations,
June 2019 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” Isoallopregnanolone may be a safe and effective treatment for reducing tics in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome.
15 citations,
September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology” 13 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Finasteride can treat hair loss, but may have side effects; evaluate and inform patients of risks.
12 citations,
January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Negative expectations can cause adverse effects in dermatology treatments, like with finasteride for baldness, and careful communication can help reduce these nocebo responses.
11 citations,
August 2014 in “Current Urology Reports” Medications for enlarged prostate can cause sexual side effects like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculatory problems.
9 citations,
January 2018 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride use can cause lasting negative effects like sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues.