Finasteride is a drug which acts as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. In men, dihydrotestosterone causes the prostate to grow. Prostate enlargement is the most common problem among men over the age of 50.
Finasteride Reduces Dihydrotestosterone Levels in The Body
Finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone levels in the body by blocking the activity of 5-alpha reductase. It prevents the change of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. In a 12-month double-blind study on 895 men age 40 to 83 years (The New England Journal of Medicine), a daily intake of 5mg finasteride reduced dihydrotestosterone levels in the body, resulting in the reduction of prostate volume by 19%.
Finasteride as a Hair Loss Treatment Drug
In people who suffer from androgenic alopecia, dihydrotestosterone causes hair follicles to shrink gradually and eventually stop growing hair. It is still a mystery why the hair follicles of some men and women are very sensitive to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone shortens the hair growing period and lengthens the hair resting period until the hair follicles can no longer grow hair. The speed of this process varies individually for yet unknown reasons.
Finasteride helps regulate the hair growth cycle. Finasteride has been used for treating hair loss in men for decades. It is often used in conjunction with minoxidil. Many studies showed the efficacy of finasteride as a hair loss treatment drug. It has been proven to reduce hair loss in men, however, women should not use finasteride as it can cause birth defects.
The Adverse Side Effects of Finasteride
There have been growing number of reported adverse side effects associated with the use of finasteride. In the United States, finasteride products should carry a warning on the label about the potential adverse effects related to sex function.
Finasteride Causes Erectile Dysfunction, Ejaculatory Problems and Lack of Libido
According to a study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, finasteride may trigger various side effects including problems of ejaculation (7.7%), problems with erection (15.8%) and lack of libido (5.4%). Problems with getting and keeping an erection are the most common side effects from using finasteride.
The official website of the United States government (MedlinePlus) issued warnings that finasteride may cause a decreased fertility, loss of libido, ejactulations problems, and difficulty to have or maintain an erection during and after treatment. Once again, these side effects can persist even after men stopped taking finasteride. In 2012, Dr. Michael Irwig, then the assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University in Washington, DC, said the persistent sexual side effects of finasteride can last up to 10 years after the patients stopped the medication.
Swedish, Italian, British, Canadian and many other governments have also issued a warning about the persistent sexual dysfunction associated with the current and past use of finasteride.
Finasteride Triggers Anxiety and Depression in Men
A study involving 97 men who took finasteride for hair loss problems (American's Journal of Men's Health) showed that nearly 50% of them suffer from depression while 34% of them suffer from anxiety. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the depression rate among men who have taken finasteride in the past are significantly higher at a 75% compared to a 10% of men who never use finasteride. 64% of men who took finasteride suffer with moderate or severe depression. This study also highlighted that 44% of the former finasteride users suffer with suicidal thoughts.
According to Reuters (29-September-2019), U.S. Food and Drug Administration have received 5,000 complaints about the adverse sexual effects of finasteride from 2009 to 2018. 350 out of 5,000 men who reported these side effects were also suffering with suicidal thoughts. It was said that 50 of them committed suicide.
The Finasteride-Free Hair Loss Treatment Products
As an anti-ageing specialist who suffer from androgenic alopecia, I tried both finasteride and minoxidil in the past. Due to the adverse sife effects, I had no choice but to stop using them altogether. It wasn't an easy decision for me as I didn't find any other alternative treatment that worked. The situation led me to a 15 year journey to develop my latest Hair Loss Solution Duo, Scalp Stimulator and Hair Growth Serum.
I have upgraded my formulas many times in the past 10 years. The latest hair loss solution formulas which I created in 2025 have been working extremely well for me. Like with finasteride, minoxidil or most other products, both of my hair loss solution products need to be used daily without stopping. However, unlike finasteride, both Scalp Stimulator and Hair Growth Serum are highly unlikely to cause any adverse side effect.
Scalp Stimulator is a pre-shampoo hair loss treatment product for those who don't want to take finasteride learn more >>>
Hair Growth Serum is an overnight hair growth booster for those who prefer not to use finasteride learn more >>>
Hair Loss Solution Duo are specially developed for men and women who suffer from hair loss and can't use finasteride for a whatever reason learn more >>>
Author:
Henry Tianus is a multi-award-winning Anti-Ageing Specialist with 2 decades experience in skincare and hair loss product development. Henry Tianus's articles have been read by people in more than 100 countries with USA and UK at the top of the list.
Scientific Sources: (1) Finasteride and sexual side effects, Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2012 Jan-Apr, 3(1): 62–65. (2) Androgen levels and components of aggressive behavior in men, Hormones and Behavior, 1987 Jun, 21(2): 170-80. (3) Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: sexual dysfunction and impact on quality of life, International journal of impotence research, 2003 Aug, 15(4): 299-306. (4) Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool’s Gold, American Journal of Men's Health, 2018 Jan, 12(1): 90–95. (5) Special Report: Court let Merck hide secrets about baldness drug's risks, Reuters, 11-September-2019. (6) The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, The New England Journal of Medicine, Published October 22, 1992;327:1185-1191. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199210223271701. VOL. 327 NO. 17. (7) Finasteride, MedlinePlus, Trusted Health Information for You, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (an official website of the United States government). (8) Propecia lawsuits: the lasting effects of delayed drug warnings, CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), 2013 Jul 9;185(10):E455–E456. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.109-4488. (9) Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among former users of finasteride with persistent sexual side effects, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2012 Sep;73(9):1220-3. doi: 10.4088/JCP.12m07887. Epub 2012 Aug 7.
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