Risk Of Erectile Dysfunction Among Reproductive-Aged Men Following Low-Dose Finasteride Use For Androgenetic Alopecia: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

This study investigated the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) in reproductive-aged men using low-dose finasteride (1 mg) for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Utilizing a multi-institutional database, 5,091 men were included in both the finasteride and control cohorts, matched for various demographics and comorbidities. The study found no significant difference in ED risk at 6 months, but a higher incidence of ED was observed in the finasteride group at 1 year (1.61% vs 0.96%) and 3 years (3.73% vs 2.36%) compared to controls. Sensitivity analysis showed a similar increased risk for PDE5i prescription at 3 years. The findings highlight the need for patient counseling on potential sexual side effects of finasteride.