Welcome

The Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation’s primary mission is to facilitate research on the characterization, underlying biologic mechanisms, and potential treatments of post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Other goals include generating public awareness of PFS, and providing support for patients suffering from the condition.

Consult our PFS Global Warning Map now.

Read all unsealed documents in the US Propecia litigation.

Adverse drug reaction reports worldwide

PFS research studies published

Known suicides worldwide

Doctors & researchers speaking out

Nations warning of PFS

National media reports worldwide

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Read the latest research

Southwest Brain Bank Launches PFS Brain and Spinal Cord Donation Program

SOMERSET, N.J., July 15, 2015 – The Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB) in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio has received its first donation of the brain and spinal cord of a post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) patient and formed a program to collect and study post-mortem human brain […]

U.S. National Institutes of Health Adds PFS to Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center

May 19, 2015 Dear Public Health Official: The U.S. National Institutes of Health recently added post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) to its Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, noting that: “Studies are underway to understand the safety profile of 5-alpha reductase inhibitor drugs with respect to adverse events…and their permanency.” This federal listing of PFS comes in […]

Number of Nations Logging onto PFS Foundation Website Rises 22% in 2014

SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 6, 2015 – The number of nations that logged onto the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation website jumped 22 percent in 2014, according to Google Analytics. In all, users in 157 countries—or 81 percent of the world (as defined by the 195 nations recognized by the U.S. Department of State)—accessed information on the condition […]

Doctors & Researchers Speaking Out

Men under the age of 40 who use finasteride for alopecia are at risk for suicide if they develop persistent sexual adverse effects and insomnia.

An important pattern of symptoms was common among all cases who committed suicide in the setting of finasteride use: insomnia and persistent sexual dysfunction after medication discontinuation. Insomnia and fatigue/tiredness were some of the most debilitating symptoms… Men under 40 years of age who use finasteride for alopecia are at risk of suicide if they develop persistent sexual adverse effects and insomnia.

—Finasteride and Suicide: A Postmarketing Case Series: Dermatology, January 14, 2020

Michael S. Irwig, MD, Attending Endocrinologist
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Two subjects—eight percent—committed suicide during or after the study.

While the sexual side effects of 5ARIs are well known, there may be persistent genitourinary, physical, psycho-cognitive, anti-androgenic and penile vascular changes after 5ARI discontinuation. Use of 5ARIs for treatment of AGA may lead to persistent sexual, genitourinary, physical, psycho-cognitive, and anti-androgenic sequelae even after cessation of 5ARI therapy… Two subjects (8%) committed suicide during or after the study.

—Penile vascular abnormalities in young men with persistent side effects after finasteride use for the treatment of androgenic alopecia: Translational Andrology and Urology, April 2020

Mohit Khera, MD, Director, Laboratory for Andrology Research
Baylor College of Medicine

Health care professionals should…conduct a full evaluation and a…risk-benefit assessment for patients before each prescription of finasteride.

As prescribers, our primary duty is to do no harm. Health care professionals should keep themselves abreast of these potential signals and, accordingly, conduct a full evaluation and a detailed, personalized risk-benefit assessment for patients before each prescription of finasteride.

—Ongoing Concerns Regarding Finasteride for the Treatment of Male-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia: JAMA Dermatology, November 2020

Roger S. Ho, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology
NYU Langone Health

This drug for young men must be taken off the market.

As of 2018, 15,000 cases of adverse reactions to finasteride were reported to the WHO—which is a huge number to begin with. And the interesting thing is that the average age of this group was 32 to 34 years old… This drug for young men must be taken off the market.

—Documentary on German network NDR titled Side Effects of Finasteride Are Underestimated: January 25, 2021

Hartmut Porst, MD
Founder, European Institute for Sexual Health