Finasteride Brings Risk of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Other Sexual Dysfunction Side Effects

Finasteride is the generic name for a drug used first to treat enlarged prostate, then later male pattern hair loss.  Recent research and studies show that Finasteride can have severe side effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED), loss of libido, problems with orgasm, and depression.  These Finasteride side effects can be permanent.

Finasteride Was First Developed for Enlarged Prostate, Then Later Approved for Hair Growth

Finasteride was first approved by the FDA in 1992 to treat benign prostaic hyperplasia (BHP), or enlarged prostate, and sold under the brand name Proscar.  In 1997, it was approved to treat male pattern baldness, and sold under the brand Propecia for that purpose.

Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen. It prevents a man's body from converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  It does this by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.  By blocking this enzyme, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone into the more powerful androgen DHT.  This reduces androgenic activity in the scalp, treating hair loss at its hormonal source. In the prostate, inhibition of 5-alpha reductase leads to a reduction of prostate volume, which improves the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Finasteride Can Cause Long-Term, Even Permanent, Sexual Dysfunction

Two medical journal articles in the March 2011 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine report that Finasteride can cause long-term sexual dysfunction.  This comes after warnings in other countries about these side effects.

One study was based on interviews with 71 otherwise healthy men between the ages of 21 and 46 who reported the new onset of sexual side effects associated with the temporal use of Finasteride.  These men were taking Proscar, the brand name version of Finasteride, to treat male pattern baldness.  Of this group of men, 94% developed low libido, 92% developed erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed problems with orgasm.  These side effects lasted for a mean of 40 months after they stopped taking Finasteride.

The other article was a case study of a 24-year-old man who began taking Finasteride in 1999.  Within 2-5 days after he began taking Finasteride, he experienced soreness of the testicles, total lack of sex drive, and complete inability to achieve an erection. He also had difficulty concentrating and felt depressed.  When he stopped taking Finasteride, the side effects diminished to some degree, but his sexual function never returned to normal.  Five years later, he was still experiencing loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), and depression.

Although the FDA has not taken action to require warnings about these side effects, other countries have done do.  The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the Swedish Medical Products Agency have both updated their patient information leaflets to include a statement that “persistence of erectile dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment with Propecia has been reported in post‐marketing use.”

Finasteride Side Effects Lawsuits

American men injured by Finasteride side effects should stop taking the drug immediately, and consider taking legal action.  Their injuries may be permanent.  A Finasteride lawsuit will not bring back their sexual health, but it is the only way for them to receive compensation for their injuries.  The attorneys at DeCarli Law offer free, no-obligation telephone consultations.  Please contact us to learn more about your legal rights and options.