Welcome

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

Read our FDA Citizen Petition to remove finasteride from the market.

Adverse drug reaction reports worldwide

PFS research studies published

Known suicides worldwide

Doctors & researchers speaking out

Nations warning of PFS

National media reports worldwide

Sources

Patient Services

Connect with other PFS patients

Consult knowledgeable doctors

Report your side effects

Read the latest research

PFS Patient Query: Suicide Cases

  August 7, 2013   Dear Friends: The PFS Foundation is seeking information about patients who have taken finasteride or dutasteride, and who have attempted suicide or who have completed suicide. This is an area of active research interest and researchers are seeking to obtain medical records and other relevant material for such patients. To […]

2013 PFS Foundation Annual Address

Aug. 4, 2013 Dear Friends: When we incorporated the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation in July 2012, our mission was clear: To fund research on the characterization, underlying biologic mechanisms and treatments of PFS while raising public awareness of this often life-altering condition afflicting thousands of men the world over. Now, on the occasion of our one-year […]

Clinical Study of Post-Finasteride Syndrome Launched at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

SOMERSET, N.J., July 1, 2013 – The Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation today announced the funding of a major clinical study on post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Titled “A Preliminary, Hypothesis-Generating Investigation of the Post-Finasteride Syndrome: Description of the Phenotype, and Elucidation of the Hormonal, Genetic […]

Abstracts from February 2013 PFS Roundtable Research Discussion in Italy

SOMERSET, N.J., March 25, 2013 – The roundtable discussion at the 7th international steroids and nervous system meeting in Orbassano (TO), Italy, February 16th – 20th 2013, included scientific presentations and discussions amongst multiple medical researchers regarding the Post-Finasteride Syndrome. This event was a great opportunity for the PFS Foundation to increase awareness of PFS […]

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 the age of 40 who use finasteride for alopecia are at risk for 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