5α-reductase inhibitors effectively treat enlarged prostate and hair loss but require careful use due to possible side effects.
June 2024 in “Drug and therapeutics bulletin” Finasteride can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting psychiatric and sexual issues.
June 2014 in “The Journal of Urology” 
69 citations
,
July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.
27 citations
,
August 1999 in “Urology” Finasteride improves urinary function in men for 2 years.
May 2022 in “Reactions Weekly” 
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.
February 2005 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride for hair loss doesn't harm erectile function; weight loss and exercise improve it.
April 2022 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride alone increases suicide risk, but combining it with other treatments reduces this risk.
41 citations
,
October 2011 in “Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride 1 mg effectively and safely increases hair growth in Japanese men with hair loss.
May 2022 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride is linked to sexual dysfunction, especially in younger men using it for hair loss.
March 2008 in “International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery” Minoxidil and finasteride help treat hair loss in men.
5 citations
,
January 1991 in “Drugs of The Future” January 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” November 2024 in “Reactions Weekly” May 2023 in “Reactions Weekly” 
13 citations
,
June 2018 in “Current Urology Reports” Hair loss drugs may cause sexual issues and infertility in men.
28 citations
,
February 1999 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Finasteride potentially treats hair loss by reducing DHT production.
7 citations
,
March 2018 in “Dermatology and therapy” Finasteride is considered the best treatment for hair loss, despite side effects.
8 citations
,
March 2020 in “Metabolites” Finasteride treatment changes urine metabolomics and steroid signatures, potentially monitoring effectiveness but may cause sexual side effects.
5 citations
,
November 1994 in “BMJ” Merck will refund the cost of the drug finasteride if it doesn't improve symptoms within six months or if the patient needs surgery within two years.
July 2023 in “Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology” Finasteride niosomes were developed and found to be effective in treating hair loss, with better results than commercial minoxidil, and could be a promising topical treatment for hair loss.
15 citations
,
January 2017 in “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” 5α-Reductase inhibitors can negatively affect male sexual function and, in some cases, significantly reduce sperm count, but these effects may be reversible.
November 2003 in “PubMed” 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.
P-3074 effectively blocks scalp DHT better than oral finasteride.
February 2019 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)” Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride for hair growth in men, with similar safety.
April 2007 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride reduces bleeding risk during prostate surgery.
3 citations
,
January 2001 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Finasteride effectively treats hair loss and enlarged prostate in men, with mild side effects.
6 citations
,
April 2004 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Finasteride showed limited hair growth and low patient compliance in treating male pattern baldness.