August 2024 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride users have a very low risk of mental health issues, but those with hair loss may have slightly higher anxiety and depression.
101 citations
,
May 2014 in “PLOS ONE” Women with PCOS have a higher chance of experiencing depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
November 2024 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” The study's methods are flawed, making its conclusions about finasteride and mental health unreliable.
19 citations
,
May 2019 in “JAMA dermatology” People with alopecia areata have similar overall death rates as others but higher risks of death from self-harm, psychiatric issues, and lung cancer in certain cases.
55 citations
,
July 1999 in “Clinics in Sports Medicine” Athletes use steroids to enhance performance despite health risks and legal issues, and education on their dangers is needed.
10 citations
,
January 2016 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Some acne medications have side effects; doctors should educate patients and may not need to do frequent lab tests for all.
12 citations
,
May 2017 in “Medicine” Oral isotretinoin was recommended for a 21-year-old woman with severe acne.
September 2025 in “Therapies” Finasteride use for hair loss may cause depression and suicidal thoughts, requiring careful monitoring.
January 2026 in “Cronfa (Swansea University)” Finasteride and dutasteride may increase the risk of depression and suicidality, so patients should be monitored closely.
October 2025 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Adults with alopecia areata have a higher risk of mental health issues, especially women after COVID-19.
September 2023 in “F&S reports” PCOS may increase the risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
July 2026 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride may lower depression risk in younger men with hair loss but increase it in older men with prostate issues.
1 citations
,
March 2022 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk of mental health disorders, but its impact on Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups isn't fully known.
July 2023 in “Health science reports” Alopecia Areata is linked to a higher risk of several diseases, which vary with age and sex.
58 citations
,
November 2018 in “Cochrane library” Oral isotretinoin may slightly improve acne but increases the risk of side effects like dry lips and skin; more research is needed to understand its full risks and benefits.
January 2021 in “Open MIND” Hormone therapy in transgender people requires careful monitoring due to potential health risks and lack of standardized test values.
June 2026 in “Wiener klinische Wochenschrift” New treatments for alopecia areata show promise but need ongoing use and have infection risks.
4 citations
,
June 2011 in “PubMed” Alopecia should be treated as a medical condition because it may increase the risk of serious diseases and psychological issues.
January 2012 in “S. Karger AG eBooks” The document concludes that transsexual individuals often experience improved quality of life after transitioning, despite higher risks of psychiatric issues and mortality.
January 2026 in “Pharmaceutical journal/The pharmaceutical journal” Finasteride and dutasteride now have stronger warnings for psychiatric and sexual side effects.
39 citations
,
October 2015 in “Case Reports” Some people experience severe, long-lasting side effects from fluoroquinolone antibiotics, leading to the recommendation of limited use and increased awareness of these risks.
June 2025 in “Pharmaceuticals” Finasteride use may increase suicidality risk, especially in young men.
5 citations
,
August 2018 in “European Psychiatry” Some psychiatric drugs can cause severe hair loss, especially valproic acid, and it's more likely in women or those with thyroid issues or past hair loss.
2 citations
,
January 2021 in “Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology” Kids with skin problems are more likely to have mental health issues.
Men with sexual side effects from finasteride may face higher risks of depression and suicidal thoughts.
26 citations
,
December 2023 in “Prostate International” Medications for BPH can have significant side effects, so understanding these risks is important for treatment decisions.
7 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
June 2024 in “Drug and therapeutics bulletin” Finasteride can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting psychiatric and sexual issues.
May 2026 in “Research Square” Children with alopecia areata often face more stress and depression, especially related to separation, which can affect their condition.
July 2022 in “Research Square (Research Square)” A young woman developed a bowel obstruction from eating hair extensions, highlighting the need for cultural awareness and research on these behaviors in the Black community.