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GlossaryDecreased Libido

reduced interest in sexual activity

Decreased libido, also known as low libido or reduced sex drive, refers to a diminished interest in sexual activity. This condition can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, psychological issues such as stress or depression, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. Understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment, which may involve lifestyle changes, therapy, or medical interventions.

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research A Phase II Study of Vaginal Testosterone Cream (TEST) vs. Estring for Vaginal Dryness or Decreased Libido in Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer (BC) Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs).

9 citations , December 2009 in “Cancer Research”

Both vaginal testosterone cream and Estring effectively manage vaginal dryness in women with early-stage breast cancer on aromatase inhibitors.

research Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

152 citations , October 2010 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.

research Finasteride

125 citations , January 1999 in “Drugs”

Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

A Prospective, 1-Year Trial Using Saw Palmetto Versus Finasteride in the Treatment of Category III Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

research A Prospective, 1-Year Trial Using Saw Palmetto Versus Finasteride in the Treatment of Category III Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

105 citations , January 2004 in “The Journal of Urology”

Finasteride improves chronic pelvic pain, saw palmetto doesn't.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations , June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.

research 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Erectile Dysfunction: The Connection

78 citations , December 2008 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but the exact reasons are unclear.

research Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

57 citations , July 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

5α-reductase inhibitors increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in men with enlarged prostate.

research Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia

41 citations , October 2011 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride 1 mg effectively and safely increases hair growth in Japanese men with hair loss.

research Spironolactone Therapy for Hirsutism in a Hyperandrogenic Woman

39 citations , November 1978 in “Annals of internal medicine”

Spironolactone may help reduce excessive hair growth in women with high male hormone levels.

research Side Effects of 5‐Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review

35 citations , April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors slightly increase the risk of sexual and mood side effects, and breast growth in men.

research Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review.

32 citations , July 2016 in “PubMed”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are generally safe but can cause sexual side effects and require patient education on risks.

research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

29 citations , May 2010 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride may help some women with hair loss, but better options exist.

research Sexual side effects of 5-α-reductase inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride: A comprehensive review

21 citations , January 2017 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Finasteride and dutasteride can cause sexual problems like impotence and low libido.

research Efficacy and safety of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A meta-analysis

19 citations , October 2018 in “PLOS ONE”

5 alpha-reductase inhibitors can slightly improve symptoms of enlarged prostate but have a high risk of sexual side effects.

research Safety and Tolerability of the Dual 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.

Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

15 citations , January 2018 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

Finasteride and dutasteride increase sexual dysfunction risk by 1.57 times in male hair loss treatment.

research The Impact of 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Use for Male Pattern Hair Loss on Men’s Health

13 citations , June 2018 in “Current Urology Reports”

Hair loss drugs may cause sexual issues and infertility in men.

research Sexual dysfunction in men taking systemic dermatologic medication: A systematic review

11 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Some men taking finasteride for hair loss may experience sexual problems like erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive, which can persist even after stopping the medication.

research Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

10 citations , October 2018 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

Men using hair loss drugs like finasteride may experience sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but it's unclear who will be affected and when. Treating depression and sexual symptoms is suggested, as these men often have higher rates of both. More research is needed to understand why these side effects occur.

research ‘Post-finasteride syndrome’: what to tell our female patients?

4 citations , April 2018 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride for female hair loss has low side effects, more research needed.

research 5‐Alpha reductase inhibitor related litigation: A legal database review

2 citations , December 2021 in “International Journal of Andrology”

Most legal cases about 5α-reductase inhibitors, drugs for hair loss and prostate issues, complain about side effects and delayed cancer diagnosis, with most lawsuits settled out of court.

research Topical Minoxidil 5% Induced Male Sexual Dysfunction

2 citations , May 2017 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)”

Topical minoxidil 5% can cause erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

research Adverse Effects of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Therapy in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: Is There Cause for Concern?

1 citations , September 2016 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors may cause sexual side effects, breast complications, and other health risks in men with hair loss.

research Getting to grips with hair loss

1 citations , July 1997 in “Inpharma Weekly”

Finasteride improves hair growth and satisfaction in men with male pattern baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

research Evaluating the safety profile of α-1 blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and PDE5I for BPH: a disproportionality analysis of real-world adverse events based on FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS)

March 2026 in “The Aging Male”

PDE5 inhibitors cause earlier adverse events in BPH treatment, requiring careful monitoring.

research Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunctions in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2026 in “SiSli Etfal Hastanesi Tip Bulteni / The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Hospital”

Men with androgenetic alopecia may have more sexual dysfunctions.

Risk Associated with the Use of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors with Minoxidil in Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Literature Review

research Risk associated with the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors with minoxidil in treatment of male androgenetic alopecia – literature review

February 2025 in “Journal of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research”

The combination of finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil is generally safe for treating male hair loss with minimal side effects.

Multidimensional Assessment of Adverse Events of Finasteride: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Analysis Based on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2004 to April 2024

research Multidimensional assessment of adverse events of finasteride:a real-world pharmacovigilance analysis based on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2004 to April 2024

August 2024 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)”

Finasteride has various adverse effects, including sexual dysfunction and mental health issues, which vary by age and gender.

research Role of Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

May 2024 in “Deleted Journal”

Dutasteride effectively treats hair loss in men who don't respond to finasteride.

research The Role of Topical Finasteride in Hair Loss Management: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

December 2023 in “International Journal of Biomedicine”

Topical finasteride might help with male hair loss with fewer side effects than pills, but more research is needed.