Dutasteride is a highly effective treatment for male pattern baldness, as it can reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels by over 90% [1]. While it’s currently prescribed off-label for hair loss, it works through mechanisms similar to Finasteride and has many of the same side effects. Some men report sexual dysfunction, mood disorders and infertility when taking this medication [2]. But are Dutasteride side effects permanent?
Research shows that most Dutasteride side effects diminish after the first year of taking this medication [3]. In most men, they resolve completely when you stop treatment [4]. So in most cases, using Dutasteride won’t leave you with any permanent side effects, sexual or otherwise. Keep reading this article to learn more on this topic, such as:
Dutasteride is generally considered a safe medication, with rare adverse reactions. Any side effects tend to affect men who already have a predisposition to them, although side effects have occasionally been reported in other users.
Dutasteride 0.5mg has been reported to cause the following side effects in some men who have been taking it for male pattern baldness [2][4][5]:
However, only a small percentage of male Dutasteride users report such side effects. And multiple studies have revealed there is only a very small, statistically insignificant difference between the number of people who experienced these side adverse reactions while taking Dutasteride treatment and those who reported them while taking a placebo [2][4][5].
There is also a good chance that some of these occurrences result from coincidence or from the nocebo effect [2]. This happens when users expect to get adverse reactions, leading to their actual or perceived development.
This medication is not recommended for most female patients. That is because women can’t take Dutasteride without exposing themselves to some serious risks. DHT blockers such as Finasteride or Dutasteride can cause foetal birth defects, as well as hormonal imbalances which can disrupt the menstrual cycle [6].
Women who have gone through menopause may be prescribed Dutasteride off-label, but this is not a very common practice in female pattern baldness, due to the potential side effects of this medication in premenopausal women [7]. That is why there are insufficient studies to show whether women may also experience sexual side effects or mood disorders from taking Dutasteride.
However, while more research is needed, there are some indications that medications such as Finasteride and Dutasteride can be linked to reduced libido in women as well [8].
If you have recently started using Dutasteride and are experiencing unwanted side effects, there is hope for improvement. Research shows that most adverse reactions only occur during the first year of use. They normally subside within a few months, and most resolve completely by the second year [3][9].
Should you decide to discontinue treatment, it’s important to note that Dutasteride side effects are not permanent and will normally resolve within a few weeks. Currently, there are no known cases of long-term Dutasteride side effects that persist after treatment cessation, as can happen in post-Finasteride syndrome.
The side effects of Dutasteride typically resolve within 6 weeks of stopping treatment [9]. It can take this long because Dutasteride’s half-life is 5 weeks. This means that it takes 5 weeks for the level of Dutasteride in circulation to reduce by half within your body. So it can take 5-6 months before you completely eliminate this drug from your system (though after the first 5-6 weeks, the remaining quantity in your blood is too small to cause significant effects).
If you have stopped taking Dutasteride for over 2 months and the side effects you have been experiencing have not resolved, make an appointment with your GP. They will order the necessary tests to rule out other potential causes for your symptoms.
There is currently no evidence that Dutasteride side effects are permanent, so you may have developed an unrelated condition alongside your hair loss treatment. If that is the case, your GP will either diagnose it and recommend treatment or refer you to the right specialist.
DHT is a male hormone that helps develop men’s sexual characteristics and maintain their sexual function. Reducing DHT levels in your blood by taking Dutasteride can impact this function. However, it is likely that most of the men who experience this type of side effects are already predisposed to them by other underlying physical or psychological conditions.
Another theory is that the nocebo effect also plays a role in the development of Dutasteride sexual side effects [2]. Fear of sexual dysfunction can lead to sexual performance anxiety. This, in turn, can result in erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems or decreased libido [10].
When it comes to mood disorders, there is a two-way connection between anxiety or depression and sexual dysfunction [15]. That is because these conditions can result in difficulties performing sexually, but at the same time, experiencing sexual dysfunction can trigger or worsen mood disorders.
The best way to reduce the chances of developing Dutasteride side effects is to use topical Dutasteride instead of the oral drug. While its effectiveness is only beginning to be studied, preliminary results in improving hair density for men with androgenetic alopecia are promising, especially when used in conjunction with derma rolling for hair growth [11].
Topical Dutasteride does not appear to cause systemic adverse reactions, such as sexual dysfunctions or mood disorders. It may cause mild, local scalp symptoms, such as itching or flaking in the area where it is applied [11].
Another good way to prevent Dutasteride side effects is to use a different hair loss treatment, with fewer or more acceptable adverse reactions.
If you are looking for other safe and effective hair loss treatments for male pattern baldness, here are some of your best options.
Finasteride is the most widely prescribed hair loss medication and, just like Dutasteride, it works by lowering your blood DHT levels [12]. While Finasteride is not as effective as Dutasteride for hair loss, it has been tested more extensively, and some researchers found it has fewer sexual side effects. However, more evidence is needed to confirm this, as there are some conflicting study results [3].
A non-hormonal hair growth treatment, Minoxidil works by widening the small blood vessels in your scalp and allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your hair follicles. This leads to increased hair density with consistent use [13].
Moreover, this medication is quite safe; Minoxidil sexual side effects are very rare compared to Finasteride or Dutasteride and using topical Minoxidil (the most commonly used form) removes them entirely.
PRP hair treatment uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) extracted from a small sample of blood drawn from your arm to increase your hair density and curb hair loss. It is injected in the thinning areas on your scalp and the many growth factors it contains repair your damaged hair follicles and stimulate hair growth [14].
When non-surgical treatment fails, a hair transplant can be the solution you need. This simple, outpatient procedure involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back of your head and implanting them in your balding areas.
The best hair transplant clinics in the UK have excellent success rates close to 100% for both FUE and FUT procedures, and they’ll support you to reduce any side effects of your treatment as much as possible. Unlike hair growth medication that is only effective for as long as you are taking it, a hair transplant is permanent, so you can enjoy your fuller, healthier hair forever.
If you think a hair transplant may be a good treatment option for you, book a no-obligation consultation with one of our top-tier surgeons. They will examine your hair, scalp, and medical history to determine whether you can truly benefit from surgical hair restoration. If you make a good candidate for a hair transplant, they will walk you through the entire process and answer all of your questions regarding this safe and effective procedure.
If you still have questions related to Dutasteride side effects, you can find additional information in the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Finasteride has largely the same kind of side effects as Dutasteride. However, when it comes to the frequency and intensity of these reactions, more research is needed. Some studies found no differences in the safety profile of these medications. Others reported that the adverse sexual effects of Dutasteride may be stronger in comparison [3].
Some natural remedies such as saw palmetto for hair or rosemary oil for hair contain natural DHT blockers. However, they are significantly less effective in reducing the levels of DHT in your blood than Dutasteride. But they are also safer, as they have not been reported to produce significant systemic side effects.
If you’re considering these remedies instead of pharmaceutical hair loss medication, it is a good idea to get the advice of a trichologist. That is because while these treatments may work for mild male pattern baldness, they are unlikely to be effective for more advanced forms, and your condition may progress if not adequately treated.
Yes, hair doctors normally recommend taking Dutasteride 0.5 mg once a day. This is safe for the vast majority of male patients, as reported side effects are rare. However, if you have been taking Dutasteride daily and have been experiencing distressing adverse reactions, it is a good idea to talk about it with your trichologist or GP.
Dutasteride has been found to cause a drop in sperm count, volume and motility in men who used this medication for 52 weeks, though most sperm parameters had returned to normal six months after treatment cessation [9]. It is unclear if these changes were significant enough to impact fertility.
Research also shows that sperm qualities will eventually revert to normal after treatment cessation (though in some men with increased sensitivity to Dutasteride, this side effect may take a few months to resolve).
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