66 citations
,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
33 citations
,
January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Taking 1 mg of finasteride daily can increase hair count and improve hair appearance, but it may have side effects on sexual function and a potential risk of prostate cancer. It may not be effective for postmenopausal women unless taken in higher doses.
28 citations
,
October 1998 in “Baillière's clinical endocrinology and metabolism” Testosterone replacement may help post-menopausal women with androgen insufficiency, but more research is needed on its benefits and risks.
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.
1 citations
,
April 2006 in “Seminars in Reproductive Medicine” Androgen therapy might help some women with low libido, but it has risks and should be used carefully.
September 2023 in “Fides et Ratio” The safety and effectiveness of gender-affirming treatments for children are uncertain, with potential long-term risks like infertility.
October 2010 in “Journal of Men's Health” The conclusion is that doctors should be careful when prescribing 5α-reductase inhibitors due to possible serious side effects, and they should discuss these risks with patients.
12 citations
,
December 2005 in “PubMed” Some men with early hair loss may have similar hormonal changes to women with Polycystic ovary syndrome, and could be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
January 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII is a sexually transmitted fungus causing skin issues, mainly among men who have sex with men in Europe, and requires quick treatment.
69 citations
,
July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.
10 citations
,
December 2014 in “PubMed” Finasteride, a hair loss drug, may cause sexual dysfunction and depression, but these effects are usually temporary and the drug is generally safe. More research is needed.
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.
February 2026 in “Journal of Psychosexual Health” Finasteride can cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction even after stopping the drug.
January 2026 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Oral finasteride may cause more sexual side effects than expected, possibly due to negative publicity and reporting bias.
November 2025 in “IntechOpen eBooks” PCOS causes sexual dysfunction, needing comprehensive treatment.
5 citations
,
April 2016 in “PubMed” Young men with mild hair loss who experience significant social and emotional distress are more likely to have sexual problems.
January 2026 in “Reactions Weekly” Both finasteride and dutasteride can cause sexual side effects, but they may differ in frequency and severity.
13 citations
,
November 2012 in “PubMed” 5α-reductase inhibitors may worsen sexual drive and spontaneous erections but don't worsen existing erectile or ejaculatory problems.
12 citations
,
March 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” Hand preference and sexual orientation may predict finasteride side effects in male hair loss.
3 citations
,
December 2016 in “Sexual medicine reviews” The document concludes that better research methods are needed in men's sexual health to provide stronger evidence and improve patient care.
April 2026 in “The Journal of Urology” Low-dose finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk over time.
April 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride and SSRIs together increase impotence and low libido risk in men.
26 citations
,
December 2023 in “Prostate International” Medications for BPH can have significant side effects, so understanding these risks is important for treatment decisions.
12 citations
,
November 2018 in “JAMA Dermatology” Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in dermatology can lead to better, more sensitive care for sexual and gender minority patients.
10 citations
,
January 2019 in “Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism” Testosterone therapy may slightly increase sexual desire in women with HSDD but lacks broad recommendation due to safety concerns and limited approval.
7 citations
,
April 2012 in “Clinical investigation” Transdermal testosterone can improve sexual desire in postmenopausal women but lacks long-term safety data and is not FDA-approved for this use.
1 citations
,
August 2015 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause serious and possibly lasting sexual and psychological side effects.
1 citations
,
July 2015 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Testosterone therapy can improve sexual function in women but long-term safety is unclear.
June 2024 in “Drug and therapeutics bulletin” Finasteride can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, and lasting psychiatric and sexual issues.
February 2012 in “European Urology Supplements” Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting sexual side effects in young males.