April 2016 in “The FASEB Journal” Blocking androgen receptors early in life increases estrogen levels and reduces sexual motivation in male rats.
September 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility” Norplant implants lower some androgen levels but don't significantly change sexual function.
2 citations
,
October 2021 in “Asian Journal of Andrology” Medications for hair loss and prostate issues can significantly increase the risk of sexual side effects and other negative symptoms.
June 2024 in “Drug and therapeutics bulletin” Finasteride can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting psychiatric and sexual issues.
September 2014 in “PubMed Central” BPH treatments can cause sexual side effects affecting quality of life.
8 citations
,
April 2004 in “The Journal of Urology” Doxazosin and finasteride negatively affect sexual function in men with BPH.
Gender-diverse individuals face more depression and anxiety, possibly due to unique stress profiles.
January 2026 in “Universität Zürich, ZORA” September 2025 in “OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)” August 2025 in “Journal of Affective Disorders” Gender-diverse people face more depression and anxiety, partly due to stress and lower cortisol levels.
October 2007 in “Nature Clinical Practice Urology” 
35 citations
,
January 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Androgen Deprivation Therapy for prostate cancer often reduces sexual function but intermittent therapy may be more tolerable.
19 citations
,
November 2012 in “BJUI” Left-handed men experience more sexual side effects from finasteride treatment.
August 2023 in “International journal of impotence research” Many dermatologists believe finasteride can cause sexual side effects and counsel patients about them.
134 citations
,
August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.
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.
June 2011 in “Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature” Finasteride, a hair loss drug, can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.
January 2026 in “British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” Serenoa repens may cause long-lasting sexual and psychiatric side effects.
January 2013 in “Yearbook of Urology” Former finasteride users showed higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts compared to those who never used it.
20 citations
,
April 2009 in “Fertility and Sterility” 
October 2024 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society” Post-finasteride syndrome can cause lasting sexual, physical, and mental health issues with limited treatment options.
August 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 
October 2021 in “International Journal of Andrology” Finasteride, a hair loss drug, has unaddressed sexual side effects due to the manufacturer's inadequate safety measures and lack of additional studies.
December 2013 in “The Journal of Urology” 
15 citations
,
September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology” January 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” 
36 citations
,
June 2014 in “PLOS ONE” Finasteride, a hair loss drug, may cause long-term sexual side effects due to changes in hormone receptor levels.
2 citations
,
June 2009 in “PubMed” 
1 citations
,
September 2016 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may cause sexual side effects, breast complications, and other health risks in men with hair loss.
12 citations
,
January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Negative expectations can cause adverse effects in dermatology treatments, like with finasteride for baldness, and careful communication can help reduce these nocebo responses.