A debated term for persistent sexual, physical or psychological symptoms reported after finasteride.
Post-finasteride syndrome is used to describe symptoms that reportedly begin during or after finasteride use and persist after stopping. Reported symptoms include sexual dysfunction, low mood, anxiety, cognitive symptoms and physical complaints. The subject is controversial because long-term adverse event data are limited, causality is difficult to prove, and affected communities may be highly selected. A responsible glossary page should neither dismiss patients nor overstate certainty. The practical message is informed consent, careful screening, regular review, and prompt medical advice if mood or sexual side effects occur.
MHRA Drug Safety Update: Finasteride and Dutasteride updated safety warnings, 11 May 2026 — https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/finasteride-and-dutasteride-updated-safety-warnings-for-psychiatric-side-effects-and-sexual-dysfunction; Anastassakis K. Androgenetic Alopecia From A to Z, Vol. 2, Springer, 2022 — https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08057-9; Gray & Semla. Post-finasteride syndrome, BMJ, 2019 — https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5047
