69 citations,
July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.
66 citations,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
61 citations,
September 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Finasteride almost fully depletes allopregnanolone in rat brains and enhances 20α-DHP, but doesn't change 3α-DHP levels.
54 citations,
May 2018 in “International journal of risk & safety in medicine” Antidepressants, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and isotretinoin can cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction.
54 citations,
August 2005 in “Alcohol” Finasteride affects alcohol intake in male mice, possibly due to neurosteroids.
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.
49 citations,
May 2018 in “Endocrine” Women with regular menstrual cycles and PCOS have linked kisspeptin and LH hormone patterns, unlike those with irregular cycles.
46 citations,
May 2009 in “Maturitas” Taking DHEA for a year is generally safe for postmenopausal women but may cause acne and more facial hair without improving metabolism or aging.
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,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.
36 citations,
June 2001 in “Neuroscience Letters” Finasteride may affect fetal brain development and increase arousal, but more research is needed for safety confirmation.
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.
35 citations,
April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors slightly increase the risk of sexual and mood side effects, and breast growth in men.
35 citations,
June 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride reduces gambling symptoms in Parkinson's patients.
34 citations,
May 2007 in “Neuroscience” Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal severity in male mice but increases it in female mice.
33 citations,
January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
32 citations,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
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.
30 citations,
May 2019 in “Scientific Reports” Late pregnancy helps repair brain damage in rats due to the GABAergic system.
30 citations,
February 2003 in “Annals of Neurology” Progesterone and related compounds may help control seizures linked to the menstrual cycle but have limitations that need addressing.
27 citations,
June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
27 citations,
July 2008 in “Neuroscience” Finasteride given to baby rats causes anxiety-like behavior and worsens learning from punishment in adult rats.
25 citations,
June 2017 in “Scientific reports” Stress worsens Tourette symptoms by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
24 citations,
July 2018 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” NTF gel improves finasteride delivery for hair loss treatment, reducing side effects.
24 citations,
July 2016 in “Revue Neurologique” Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is treatable, with behavioral therapy as a recommended first option and other treatments available for more severe cases.
24 citations,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
21 citations,
January 2020 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Lack or blocking of SRD5a, a key component in hormone creation, can lead to conditions like pseudohermaphrodism and affect hair growth, bone mass, muscle strength, and reproductive health. More research is needed on its regulation from fertilization to adulthood.
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.
20 citations,
January 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.