Does finasteride have serious sexual side effect?

Dear rb9909,

Thank you for your clinical post. Male pattern hair loss can be a stressful and
disheartening process for any young male.
To reduce and retire the speed of thinning and recession Finasteride,
also known as Propecia, is one of the gold standards. It blocks the production of testosterone at
source in the testicle reducing the amount of DHT that builds up from the
genetically determined inadequate functioning of the enzymes 5-alpha
reductase. Other options other than
hormonal blockade include topical vasodilatory products such as Rogaine or
Minoxidil, plasma rich protein injections, topical nutrient serums and
shampoos, as well as low-level light therapy.
These have also shown to be successful though not as predictable or
consistent in retarding the progression of hair loss as Finasteride.

Unfortunately, some males do experience side effects with the
use of Finasteride. These side effects
include 1) a potential decrease libido; 2) a sexual dysfunction with erectile
dysfunction with or without loss of libido; 3) mood changes, dysphoria and even
depression; 4) sensation of urinary retention and 5) male gynecomastia. Muscle aches and bone pain can also occur.

These symptoms are not necessarily common, but certainly
warrant full discussion with a physician prior to having Finasteride prescribed
and you should be wary and watchful for the appearance of any of these signs or
symptoms.

There is one study that suggests a very small group of males
may be more predisposed to aggressive version of prostate cancer. However, this study is certainly
controversial, but it bears consideration.

I hope this information has been of some assistance.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

If you obsess about sexual side effects if you try finasteride, you will likely get them, but if you don't obsess about it, the normal sexual side effects impact only 1 in 50 men statistically. A lot depends upon your state of mind and this is an excellent drug to prevent or stop or possibly reverse some of the hair loss in a man of your age.