Finasteride is a safe and effective long-term treatment for male hair loss, especially when started early.
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.
18 citations
,
January 2002 in “Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin/Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin” New pregnane derivatives were more effective than finasteride at inhibiting a key enzyme for male pattern baldness.
January 2024 in “Reproductive toxicology” Hesperidin helps protect against testicular damage caused by finasteride.
1 citations
,
October 2023 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society” Finasteride may worsen blood sugar control in diabetic patients.
34 citations
,
January 2004 in “Revista do Hospital das Clínicas” Finasteride may worsen infertility in men with existing issues, but stopping it can improve sperm health.
November 2005 in “PubMed”
November 2020 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride can cause lasting erectile dysfunction, low libido, and depression in some patients.
1 citations
,
August 2022 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Dutasteride is the most effective for hair loss but may cause sexual and mental side effects.
June 2018 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride does not negatively affect male reproductive function.
December 2025 in “Microscopy and Microanalysis” Lycopene protects against testicular damage caused by finasteride.
223 citations
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December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
March 2020 in “StatPearls” Medicines called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, are useful for treating enlarged prostate and male pattern hair loss.
70 citations
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August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.
20 citations
,
December 1995 in “Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications” Accurate method measures finasteride levels in human plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
June 2010 in “Urology times” Finasteride causes fewer sexual side effects than dutasteride in men with BPH.
21 citations
,
October 2015 in “Current Drug Targets” Both dutasteride and finasteride improve urinary symptoms, but dutasteride may be better at reducing the risk of prostate surgery and sudden inability to urinate.
5 citations
,
November 2015 in “Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry” Certain derivatives are more effective 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitors than finasteride.
September 2022 in “Reactions Weekly”
18 citations
,
January 2003 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Low-dose finasteride effectively reduces hirsutism without serious side-effects.
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.
July 2010 in “PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News” March 2005 in “The Nurse Practitioner” May 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” 1 citations
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January 1995 in “Yakubutsu dōtai” April 2004 in “Medisch-Farmaceutische Mededelingen” Finasteride may help reduce prostate cancer risk.
March 2009 in “The Journal of Urology” Low dose finasteride causes only small changes in PSA levels in older men with BPH.
May 2006 in “Skin & Allergy News”