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.
75 citations
,
February 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Androgens play a role in female sexual function, and testosterone therapy can help women with low sexual desire, but more research is needed on treatments and long-term safety.
20 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Womens Health” Testosterone can help premenopausal and postmenopausal women with low sexual desire, but its long-term safety is unclear and it's not widely approved for this use.
9 citations
,
April 2021 in “Climacteric” Testosterone therapy is effective and safe for women with low sexual desire, but it's hard to access.
15 citations
,
November 2015 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” α-Blockers and 5-ARIs for BPH can cause sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculatory issues.
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.
100 citations
,
July 2004 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and prolactin play complex roles in female sexual function, with testosterone potentially improving sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. However, more research is needed to establish safe and effective hormone treatments for female sexual dysfunction.
April 2020 in “Online journal of complementary & alternative medicine” Some medications can help increase sexual desire and function in women.
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.
6 citations
,
June 2000 in “Psychiatric Services” Maintaining sexual health after menopause is possible with patient approaches, hormone supplements, and therapy, despite needing more research.
6 citations
,
April 2019 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Testosterone therapy for transmasculine individuals is generally safe with medical supervision, improves mental health, and has mixed effects on physical health.
May 2025 in “Anatolian journal of obstetrics and gynecology research.” Androgens affect many aspects of female health, and more research is needed to understand their roles and treatment potential.
4 citations
,
February 2009 in “Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey” Testosterone patches can modestly improve sexual function in postmenopausal women not on estrogen therapy.
28 citations
,
May 2013 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Testosterone therapy can improve sexual desire and function in postmenopausal women but should be used cautiously and not based solely on testosterone levels.
282 citations
,
October 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” The Endocrine Society advised against routine testosterone therapy for women, citing a need for more research on long-term safety and a clear definition of androgen deficiency.
251 citations
,
October 2014 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The guidelines advise against using testosterone and DHEA in women for most conditions due to safety and effectiveness concerns, but suggest considering testosterone for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire.
11 citations
,
September 2012 in “Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada” Testosterone therapy seems safe for short-term use in postmenopausal women with low sexual desire, but more research on long-term effects is needed.
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.
May 2019 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Drinking alcohol before taking flibanserin does not increase the risk of severe low blood pressure or fainting.
11 citations
,
July 2019 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Spironolactone might cause painful intercourse and decreased sexual arousal in women.
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.
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.
3 citations
,
September 2014 in “Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada” Menopause often leads to lower sexual desire and discomfort during sex, but treatment should be personalized and only if it bothers the woman.
125 citations
,
January 1999 in “Drugs” Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.
July 2023 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Trazodone and chlorpromazine may help treat sexual dysfunction caused by finasteride and SSRIs.
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.
3 citations
,
April 2019 in “Journal of psychosexual health” Women with PCOS often have sexual problems, and treating these issues early can improve satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs.
April 2015 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Many women experience sexual dysfunction, but few seek help, and better treatment and medical training are needed.
3 citations
,
February 2019 in “The European Research Journal” Laser pubic hair removal boosts self-esteem, body image, and sexual functions in women.
10 citations
,
February 2020 in “Endocrine” Finasteride safely treats hair loss without harming hormones or reproduction, but may slightly reduce sexual function.