May 2017 in “Psychiatric news” BPH medications may increase the risk of self-harm and depression, especially in the first 18 months.
June 2021 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride caused serious side effects and led to six suicides.
July 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” 7 citations
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April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
June 2008 in “The Journal of Urology” Men with urinary symptoms are more likely to have erectile dysfunction, and there's a debate about research methods and authorship ethics.
21 citations
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September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” March 2023 in “The Journal of Urology” Men with better urinary symptoms have a lower risk of death.
March 2009 in “The Journal of Urology” Low dose finasteride causes only minor changes in PSA levels in men over 50 with BPH.
11 citations
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August 2019 in “BMJ” Post-finasteride syndrome causes sexual, physical, and psychological symptoms, but more research is needed to understand its causes and connection to finasteride.
2 citations
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April 2024 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Dutasteride helps reduce heavy drinking, especially for those who drink to cope.
March 2025 in “Journal of Education Health and Sport” Finasteride can cause sexual and psychological side effects, but these usually reverse after stopping the medication.
58 citations
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April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.
May 2022 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride is linked to sexual dysfunction, especially in younger men using it for hair loss.
November 2025 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Botanical treatments like saw palmetto, rosemary oil, and ginseng may help reduce hair loss in menopausal women.
2 citations
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September 2007 in “International Journal of Impotence Research” Local testosterone treatment improved sexual desire in a female with fragile X syndrome.
October 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” April 2017 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” Long-term use of certain prostate drugs can worsen erectile dysfunction by changing penile tissue, especially in rats with high blood pressure.
Men with sexual side effects from finasteride may face higher risks of depression and suicidal thoughts.
14 citations
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August 1997 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride can cause enlarged breasts.
1 citations
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July 2025 in “Functional Foods in Health and Disease” CL22209, an Asparagus racemosus extract, safely reduces perimenopausal symptoms and balances hormones.
29 citations
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September 2014 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity” Finasteride and dutasteride effectively treat hair loss in men and women, but may cause side effects like low libido and depression.
7 citations
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October 2009 in “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society” Finasteride may help reduce inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia patients with prostate issues.
30 citations
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September 2016 in “BMJ” Taking 5-α reductase inhibitors for prostate enlargement or hair loss does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
20 citations
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August 2018 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
2 citations
,
April 2017 in “European Urology” Using finasteride for hair loss or prostate issues does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
1 citations
,
June 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride use may cause sexual dysfunction; more research needed.
1 citations
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February 2013 in “African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology” Finasteride lowers good cholesterol, raises bad fats, and may increase heart disease risk.
17 citations
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March 2016 in “Liver international” Men with advanced liver disease and high oestrone and low testosterone levels have worse health outcomes.
April 2019 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” Prescriptions for 5-alpha reductase inhibitors dropped significantly after the FDA's safety warning, especially for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
January 2020 in “Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition” Low zinc levels in chronic liver disease patients are linked to more severe symptoms like taste issues and skin problems, and zinc supplements might help.