How common is Post Finasteride Syndrome from the perspective of a doctor?

Question

Dear all, I'm 23 and I'm suffering from diffuse thinning of my hair, my hairline is still in tact thankfully. However, it's getting to the stage where I need to make my final decision as to whether I take finasteride or not. I want to hear the opinion of doctors who prescribe finasteride, how often do you see patients whose symptoms do not recede upon cessation of finasteride? I can live with the side effects as long as they go away, however PFS sounds absolutely horrendous.

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

Hello,
In most of the male cases Finasteride would work. If it doesn't work than there might be a hormonal disfunction or, the person may be in lack of blood. But usually finasteride works.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

Out of tens of thousands of Propecia users in our practice over more than the last decade I am aware of only a handful of patients that might fall into the category of Post Finasteride Syndrome. In our experience it has been extremely rare.

Jennifer Krejci, MD · Answer

In my clinic, where I or Dr. B.L. Limmer have treated over 10,000 patients with Propecia/Finasteride,  can recall only one case of a patient who was convinced he had PFS. This patient also suffered from anxiety, depression and other illness. The syndrome, if it fact it even exists, is very rare. Sexual function is a multifactorial issue; it is both physical and psychological. So, patients with psychiatric and/or other medical illness are predisposed to having erectile dysfunction regardless of Finasteride use. Furthermore, 50% of all men over the age of 50 have some element of erectile dysfunction so it is an unfortunate but common problem that many men face as they age.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Post finasteride syndrome has only recently been described. The frequency suggests that it is rare. In the 20 years since the drug was released, I only had one patient report it in more than 20,000 prescriptions that I wrote. I am not sure that he really had it either

How common is Post Finasteride Syndrome from the perspective of a doctor?

Answers (4)

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