The Urologic Impact of Long-Term Finasteride 1-Mg Use for Androgenic Alopecia: A Matched-Cohort Database Analysis

This study analyzed the urologic impact of long-term finasteride 1 mg (F1) use in 3,470 men with androgenic alopecia (AA) compared to a matched cohort of 3,470 men with AA not using F1. The results showed that while there was no significant difference in erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosis between the groups, those on F1 were more likely to be prescribed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and received them approximately 230 days earlier than non-F1 users. F1 use did not significantly affect benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) diagnosis or treatment rates but was associated with decreased prostate cancer (PC) and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) diagnosis rates. The study suggests the need for further research on the urologic effects of chronic F1 use in AA patients.