Adverse Side Effects of 5α‐Reductase Inhibitors Therapy Persistent Diminished Libido and Erectile Dysfunction and Depression in a Subset of Patients
Traish et al., 2011
“Honest and open discussion with patients to educate them on these serious issues must be pursued prior to commencing therapy because, in some patients, these adverse effects are persistent and may be prolonged and patients do not recover well after discontinuation from drug use.”
The possibility of a causal relationship between 5a-reductase inhibitor use and persistent sexual dysfunction was determined in a subset of consumers with lasting adverse effects with reference to existing literature on the biological implications of finasteride use.
Noted herein was the case of a young man who suffered significant sexual dysfunction, libido loss and a depressive symptomatology that continued 11 years after only weeks of exposure to finasteride for hair loss.
