Many men undergoing hair loss treatment are concerned about whether Finasteride side effects are permanent or just a temporary nuisance. Considering that the most common adverse reactions reported for this treatment are sexual side effects, they can affect your relationships, as well as your quality of life and self-esteem.
In April 2024, the UK government released a statement intended to remind healthcare professionals of the potential for persistent psychological and sexual side effects related to Finatseride use [1]. The guidance mentions that Finasteride side effects can persist even after treatment ends. So should you be worried?
In the majority of cases, Finasteride’s side effects are temporary. For many users, the side effects subside even while you’re still taking the medication. But others report post-Finasteride syndrome and certain lingering effects of this hair loss treatment. [2][3].
Continue reading this article to discover more about:
Originally developed to treat a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, this medication was soon revealed to possess properties that can reduce and sometimes even reverse androgenetic alopecia [4]. Oral Finasteride results were excellent in regrowing hair, so it was soon approved for use in treating male pattern baldness. This drug has since become the most frequently prescribed hair loss medication for men.
This medication inhibits the activity of an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into a different male hormone, called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When an excessive amount of DHT is produced, it attaches itself to specific androgen receptors in your hair follicles. This makes them become smaller and produce finer, shorter hairs until they stop functioning completely [4].
But if using Finasteride leads to the production of smaller amounts of DHT, fewer hair follicles will be affected and you will experience less hair shedding.
While several kinds of side effects have been reported with Finasteride use, it must be kept in mind that at this time, there is insufficient evidence that it is indeed this medication which is causing the self-reported symptoms [5][6].
In clinical studies, there are only small differences in the proportion of adverse reactions experienced by patients who received Finasteride and those in the control groups (some studies found no sexual side effects at all).
It appears that the nocebo effect (the expectation that you will experience unwanted side effects, which leads to autosuggestion) may account for some of this difference [6][7].
Here are some of the side effects most frequently reported by Finasteride users [8][9][10]:
Finasteride is generally safe and most patients tolerate it very well. The reported side effects are normally temporary and tend to subside after several months of treatment [9]. Several clinical studies have revealed that sexual side effects were completely reversible with the cessation of treatment [6].
There are some rare cases of patients who reported persistent adverse reactions which lasted months and sometimes even years after they ended their treatment. Most of these side effects are sexual and psychological in nature.
This phenomenon was dubbed post-finasteride syndrome, but more evidence is required to prove that the symptoms experienced are indeed caused by the medication [3][2][6].
While it is possible for Finasteride to negatively influence sexual function in some men, as well as to favour mood disorders, there are also alternative theories. One of these is that men who experience post-Finastreride syndrome are probably experiencing a nocebo effect [6][7].
Another theory points to the correlation between hair loss, depression and sexual dysfunction in middle-aged and elderly men. Both hair loss and sexual dysfunction grow more common with age and increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression [11][12].
In turn, these mood disorders can lead to impaired sexual function [13]. So there is a chance that certain men experience a vicious circle of symptoms that feed off each other, without necessarily being connected to their Finasteride use.
There are several effective ways to reduce Finasteride side effects or mitigate their impact on your body. Here are some of the best things you can try:
If Finasteride doesn’t work for you or you are considering ceasing treatment on account of its side effects (or for any other reason), there are still a few scientifically proven alternatives you can try:
If you are not sure whether the hair growth treatment you use is the best option for you or are concerned about its side effects, book a consultation with one of our top-tier trichologists. They will answer all of your questions and make the best recommendations, based on your particular type of alopecia, medical history and personal preferences.
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