The levels of some neuroactive steroids analyzed in CSF of PFS patients were significantly different versus those in healthy controls. In particular, the levels of PREG, as well as of its further metabolites, PROG and DHP, were significantly decreased in CSF of PFS patients. PFS patients show altered levels of important physiological regulators of brain […]
Category Archives: Publications
Publications – English language
Persistent sexual dysfunction and suicidal ideation in young men treated with low-dose finasteride: a pharmacovigilance study.
Overview of Sexual Dysfunction (SD) and Suicidal Ideation (SI) Reports: A total of 15,518 adverse event reports were submitted [to the FDA] for low-dose finasteride between 1998 and 2013, corresponding to 4910 reports submitted for men aged 18–45 years. Persistent SD and SI adverse events accounted for 11.8% (577 reports) and 7.9% (39 reports), respectively, […]
The impact of the 5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs) on male sexual function and psychological well-being.
5α-Reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs) such as finasteride and dutasteride have proven useful in the clinical management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and also in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, these drugs have serious and, in some patients, persistent or irreversible sexual side effects. These agents interfere with […]
An observational retrospective evaluation of 79 young men with long-term adverse effects after use of finasteride against androgenetic alopecia.
Concern regarding adverse effects of finasteride is increasing. We aimed to determine the type and frequency of symptoms in men having long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects after finasteride treatment (a condition recently called post-finasteride syndrome, PFS).… Out of 79 participants…the most frequent sexual symptoms referred were a loss of penis sensitivity (87.3%), decreased ejaculatory […]
Neuroactive steroid levels are modified in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of post-finasteride patients showing persistent sexual side effects and anxious/depressive symptomatology.
Introduction: Observations performed in a subset of subjects treated with finasteride (an inhibitor of the enzyme 5α-reductase) for male pattern hair loss seem to indicate that sexual dysfunction, as well as anxious/depressive symptomatology, may occur at the end of the treatment and continue after discontinuation. Aim: A possible hypothesis to explain depression symptoms after finasteride […]
Decreased alcohol consumption among former male users of finasteride with persistent sexual side effects: a preliminary report.
Background: There is a robust literature in rodents, but not in humans, on the interaction between finasteride and alcohol, particularly as it relates to neurosteroids. Finasteride has been shown to reduce alcohol intake and suppress alcohol preference in male mice. This study examines the role of finasteride in alcohol consumption in humans with male pattern […]
Androgen Receptor (AR) Gene (CAG)n and (GGN)n Length Polymorphisms and Symptoms in Young Males With Long-Lasting Adverse Effects After Finasteride Use Against Androgenic Alopecia
This study showed that short and/or long (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeats had different frequencies according to symptoms reported by patients with PFS, likely reflecting the vast array of genes modulated by the AR. This study showed a U-curvilinear profile of (CAG)n repeats for skin dryness symptoms, where the two extremes exhibited a worse condition than […]