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.
1 citations,
September 2017 in “Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine” Gut flora changes could potentially indicate depression, but more research is needed.
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.
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.
November 2003 in “Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride's link to depression is questionable due to study flaws and potential bias.
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.
4 citations,
August 2021 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, may cause depression, but more research is needed to understand why.
24 citations,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
32 citations,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
6 citations,
January 2020 in “Dermatology” Finasteride may increase suicide risk; more research needed.
3 citations,
August 2020 in “Urology Journal” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of mild depression.
August 2024 in “Archives of Women s Mental Health” Women with PCOS have more depression and stress due to high androgen levels, not obesity or insulin resistance.
January 2016 in “Medicinski Podmladak”
17 citations,
September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
January 2018 in “Deleted Journal” Managing PCOS effectively requires focusing on psychological health, lifestyle changes, and medication.
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.
1 citations,
March 2023 in “Scientific Reports” Finasteride may increase the risk of suicide or severe self-harm in men with mood disorders but not in the general population.
January 2022 in “Springer eBooks”
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.
81 citations,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.
Women with PCOS have lower self-esteem and body image satisfaction.
February 2025 in “International Journal of Impotence Research”
15 citations,
September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology”
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.
3 citations,
September 2022 in “Frontiers in psychiatry” University students in Egypt experienced high stress during COVID-19's third wave, with negative coping mechanisms being more common.
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.
3 citations,
September 2023 in “International journal of impotence research” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, mental, and physical issues, needing more research for solutions.
April 2021 in “IntechOpen eBooks” Androgens, male hormones, affect physical and mental functions, with a decrease leading to health issues like muscle loss, bone disease, and depression, and more research is needed on long-term effects and treatments.
March 2024 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Finasteride treatment in rats changed the expression of genes related to psychiatric and neurological functions, and these changes persisted after stopping the drug.