April 2026 in “The Journal of Urology” Low-dose finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk over time.
September 1999 in “PubMed” Finasteride effectively thickens hair in men with minimal side effects.
1040 citations
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October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.
56 citations
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April 1998 in “Steroids” Finasteride reduces hair loss and treats BPH without major hormone changes, but may cause sexual dysfunction.
29 citations
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May 2011 in “Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery” Finasteride may cause cataracts and floppy-iris syndrome.
January 2026 in “Cronfa (Swansea University)” Finasteride and dutasteride may increase the risk of depression and suicidality, so patients should be monitored closely.
December 2025 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Finasteride can cause depression and suicidal thoughts; safer alternatives are recommended.
April 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride and SSRIs together increase impotence and low libido risk in men.
November 2022 in “International Journal of Trichology” Finasteride can cause rare but serious skin rashes.
105 citations
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January 2004 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride improves chronic pelvic pain, saw palmetto doesn't.
15 citations
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April 1997 in “Muscle & Nerve” 5 citations
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April 1997 in “Muscle & Nerve”
October 2010 in “Journal of Men's Health” Some patients may experience lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects from 5α-reductase inhibitor therapy.
January 2011 in “International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery” Finasteride may reduce body hair in men.
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.
15 citations
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September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology” August 2011 in “SpringerReference” January 2002 in “European Urology Supplements” Finasteride can cause sexual side effects like decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.
May 2016 in “Hair transplant forum international” The conclusion about long-term side effects of 1 mg finasteride remains unclear.
71 citations
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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.
April 2026 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”
May 2024 in “The journal of sexual medicine” Finasteride treatment may cause erectile dysfunction, but stopping it reverses these effects.
December 2017 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride caused bleeding in a man, which stopped after stopping the drug.
Long-term, low-dose finasteride may reduce the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
September 2004 in “Urology” Finasteride may reduce prostate cancer risk.
April 2012 in “Dermatology Times E-News” Finasteride must now warn about lasting sexual side effects.
September 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” August 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride treatment changes hormone levels in male pattern baldness patients.
April 2025 in “The Journal of Urology” Long-term finasteride use may lower prostate cancer risk but increase the need for erectile dysfunction medication.
3 citations
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February 2019 in “Der Urologe” Medications for benign prostatic syndrome can cause cognitive issues and depression.