October 2023 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride and Dutasteride can improve hair growth in male baldness but may cause temporary sexual dysfunction and possibly affect fertility.
February 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride solution helps treat hair loss.
40 citations
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February 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Taking finasteride pills and using minoxidil lotion together can help grow hair.
February 2026 in “Journal of Psychosexual Health” Finasteride can cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction even after stopping the drug.
1 citations
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January 2014 in “ScholarWorks - University of Montana (University of Montana)” Finasteride reduces low-grade prostate cancer but may not be beneficial overall.
44 citations
,
July 2004 in “Archives of Dermatology” Finasteride for hair loss has minimal impact on sexual function.
January 2009 in “The Hastings Center Report” Finasteride reduces prostate cancer risk but may increase high-grade cancer risk.
May 2017 in “Urology and andrology” Finasteride and dutasteride, used for prostate issues and hair loss, can cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and mental issues, which may continue even after stopping the medication, a condition called post-finasteride syndrome, for which there's currently no cure.
May 2024 in “Reactions weekly” 
24 citations
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September 2015 in “JAAD case reports” Finasteride helps hair regrowth in frontal fibrosing alopecia.
May 2018 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride treatment for hair loss can cause erectile dysfunction.
May 2024 in “Reactions weekly” 
10 citations
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June 2001 in “PubMed” Finasteride is effective in growing hair and stopping hair loss in men with mild to moderate alopecia.
April 2017 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride may cause weak ejaculation and reduced semen volume.
January 2008 in “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry” Finasteride may cause sexual and psychological side effects by affecting an enzyme related to epinephrine.
August 2023 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride made hair thicker on the back of the head in men with hair loss.
January 1999 in “Hair transplant forum international” Finasteride can help prevent future hair loss and improve hair restoration surgery results.
12 citations
,
October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” 
42 citations
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December 2015 in “International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics” The 0.25% finasteride solution, when applied once a day, effectively reduces scalp DHT, potentially minimizing sexual side-effects linked to a systemic DHT reduction.
September 2018 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” 
41 citations
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October 2011 in “Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride 1 mg effectively and safely increases hair growth in Japanese men with hair loss.
81 citations
,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.
June 2024 in “Drug and therapeutics bulletin” Finasteride can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting psychiatric and sexual issues.
6 citations
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April 2004 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Finasteride showed limited hair growth and low patient compliance in treating male pattern baldness.
39 citations
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January 2012 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” Finasteride may cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but they are reversible and affect less than 2% of men.
September 2004 in “Urology” Finasteride may reduce prostate cancer risk.
May 2022 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride is linked to sexual dysfunction, especially in younger men using it for hair loss.
23 citations
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August 2001 in “PubMed” Finasteride reduces caspase levels, helping hair growth in AGA patients.
22 citations
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December 2010 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.
Most patients were satisfied with topical finasteride, and few experienced side effects.