Dutasteride, Finasteride: No Increased Risk of Erectile Dysfunction

A UK study published in the BMJ found that treatment with 5-α reductase inhibitors for alopecia or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) does not increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). The study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and evaluated the risk of ED in 71,849 men ≥40 years of age with BPH receiving 5-a reductase inhibitors (dutasteride or finasteride) alone, or 5-a reductase inhibitors + α-blockers, or a-blockers alone; and in 12,346 men 18-59 years of age with alopecia receiving finasteride or no treatment. The study concluded that 5-a reductase inhibitors do not increase the risk of clinically meaningful incident erectile dysfunction or non-erectile dysfunction sexual dysfunction in men who are free of sexual dysfunction and major risk factors.