Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss
Irwig & Kolukula, 2011
“A subset of otherwise healthy men taking finasteride for MPHL developed persistent sexual side effects in temporal association with the medication.”
Persistent sexual dysfunction was first characterised in 71 otherwise healthy men who had used finasteride for androgenic alopecia.
94% experienced low libido, 92% had erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed orgasm dysfunction.
Compared with before use, mean sexual episodes per month dropped significantly, and sexual dysfunction score per Arizona Sexual Experience Scale increased significantly.
The average duration of the persistent sexual side effects was at least 40 months. 20% of subjects reported a duration of over 6 years.
