12 citations
,
March 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” Hand preference and sexual orientation may predict finasteride side effects in male hair loss.
27 citations
,
June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
2 citations
,
February 2021 in “Brain Research” Testosterone affects blood pressure control and inflammation in male rats with endotoxic shock, and blocking certain hormones may help treat it.
August 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” January 2020 in “Advances in Sexual Medicine” Female pattern hair loss does not significantly affect sexual dysfunction.
24 citations
,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
June 2024 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride treats hair loss but may cause low libido, erectile issues, and depression.
10 citations
,
February 2020 in “Endocrine” Finasteride safely treats hair loss without harming hormones or reproduction, but may slightly reduce sexual function.
3 citations
,
February 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride may cause lasting sexual side effects, but more research is needed.
2 citations
,
April 2017 in “European Urology” Using finasteride for hair loss or prostate issues does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
January 2013 in “Yearbook of Urology” Former finasteride users showed higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts compared to those who never used it.
393 citations
,
November 2000 in “Archives of General Psychiatry” Testosterone is important for men's sexual function, may help some women's sexual desire, while other hormones and neurotransmitters also play complex roles in sexual behavior.
225 citations
,
July 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.
223 citations
,
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.
71 citations
,
November 2012 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual desire, sometimes lasting after stopping the drug.
31 citations
,
January 2017 in “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” Low testosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors can harm men's metabolic and sexual health; testosterone therapy may help, but discussing 5α-RIs' side effects is important.
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.
January 2020 in “Archives of urology” Finasteride, a drug used for certain conditions, can cause serious side effects like sexual dysfunction, suicidal thoughts, and increased diabetes risk, and there's a need for more awareness and research about these effects.
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.
61 citations
,
April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.
46 citations
,
August 2022 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” COVID-19 temporarily affects male reproductive health, but sperm and testosterone levels generally return to normal after three months.
5 citations
,
June 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have more sexual function issues than those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but physical activity can improve sexual functioning in all women.
35 citations
,
February 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride significantly improves hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.
4 citations
,
April 2020 in “Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy” Prostate cancer patients need early psychological and sexual support during radiotherapy to improve their quality of life.
1 citations
,
April 2025 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine” Hair loss in alopecia areata can negatively affect sexual quality of life.
August 2025 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride, dutasteride, and silodosin have the highest risk for causing sexual dysfunction.
November 2023 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Some people experience lasting sexual, psychological, and sleep problems after using finasteride or SSRI antidepressants, possibly due to similar underlying causes.
June 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride's sexual side effects not caused by androgen deficiency or SRD5A inhibition.
90 citations
,
December 2007 in “Current Oncology” Non-hormonal treatments should be used first for sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors, with hormones as a second option.
34 citations
,
January 2008 in “International Review of Neurobiology” Epilepsy and certain epilepsy drugs can lead to reproductive problems in women, but changing medication might improve these issues.