January 2020 in “Archives of urology” Finasteride, a drug used for certain conditions, can cause serious side effects like sexual dysfunction, suicidal thoughts, and increased diabetes risk, and there's a need for more awareness and research about these effects.
13 citations
,
November 2012 in “PubMed” 5α-reductase inhibitors may worsen sexual drive and spontaneous erections but don't worsen existing erectile or ejaculatory problems.
73 citations
,
July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.
72 citations
,
October 1998 in “Baillière's clinical endocrinology and metabolism” Long-term testosterone therapy can cause hormone suppression, affect prostate and heart health, and alter physical characteristics, but does not increase prostate cancer risk and needs more research for full risk assessment.
183 citations
,
January 1987 in “British Journal of Anaesthesia” Opioid painkillers can cause many side effects, including breathing problems and addiction, but are generally considered safe when used properly.
72 citations
,
April 2008 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” Dutasteride and finasteride do not significantly affect bone density, blood fats, or blood production, but slightly lower PSA levels and minimally impact sexual function in healthy young men.
4 citations
,
May 2019 in “Physiology & Behavior” Cocaine impairs male sexual behavior and alters testosterone metabolism in the brain.
8 citations
,
April 2004 in “The Journal of Urology” Doxazosin and finasteride negatively affect sexual function in men with BPH.
35 citations
,
January 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Androgen Deprivation Therapy for prostate cancer often reduces sexual function but intermittent therapy may be more tolerable.
19 citations
,
November 2012 in “BJUI” Left-handed men experience more sexual side effects from finasteride treatment.
19 citations
,
May 2021 in “Clinical epidemiology and global health” Better awareness of chemotherapy's side effects improves self-care.
August 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
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.
6 citations
,
May 2020 in “Pharmacology Research & Perspectives” A new gel form of minoxidil is equally effective for hair growth and safer for the heart and other organs than the traditional solution.
7 citations
,
December 2017 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Dutasteride is linked to a higher chance of sexual dysfunction, especially in younger males and the elderly.
March 2017 in “European Urology Supplements” Gene differences affect finasteride side effects in men with hair loss.
December 2024 in “International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology” The new delivery method for dutasteride is more effective and has fewer side effects.
October 2022 in “Revista Eletrônica Acervo Médico” 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors can cause negative side effects.
April 2008 in “Sexologies” Knowing about potential side effects can make them more likely to happen.
7 citations
,
April 2012 in “Clinical investigation” Transdermal testosterone can improve sexual desire in postmenopausal women but lacks long-term safety data and is not FDA-approved for this use.
7 citations
,
June 2020 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” Finasteride for hair loss may cause lasting sexual, genitourinary, mental, and anti-androgenic side effects in young men.
7 citations
,
January 2018 in “International Journal of Trichology” Taking 5 mg/day finasteride can cause side effects in women with hair loss, but these are usually mild and fade over time, making the treatment beneficial in the long run.
69 citations
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July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.
36 citations
,
June 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Dutasteride helps hair growth in those unresponsive to finasteride, but may cause more sexual dysfunction.
17 citations
,
January 2013 in “Our Dermatology Online” Dutasteride mesotherapy helps treat male hair loss but may harm sperm and sexual function.
2 citations
,
January 2015
53 citations
,
October 1993 in “Drug Safety” Oral retinoids can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe, including birth defects, and require careful monitoring and contraception.
June 2024 in “Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety” Finasteride harms Daphnia magna's reproduction, growth, and metabolism.
August 2025 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride, dutasteride, and silodosin have the highest risk for causing sexual dysfunction.
105 citations
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June 2010 in “The journal of sexual medicine” Testosterone undecanoate increases lean mass and causes various physical changes in female-to-male transsexuals.