A subset of otherwise healthy men taking finasteride for MPHL developed persistent sexual side effects in temporal association with the medication. Most men developed sexual dysfunction in multiple domains with 94% experiencing low libido, 92% experiencing erectile dysfunction, 92% experiencing decreased arousal, and 69% experiencing problems with orgasm…. The mean duration of the persistent sexual side effects was at least 40 months, with 20% of subjects reporting durations of over 6 years. The mean number of sexual episodes per month dropped from 25.8 before finasteride to 8.8 after finasteride (P < 0.0001). The total sexual dysfunction score increased from 7.4 to 21.6 for before and after finasteride use (P < 0.0001)…. Physicians treating MPHL should discuss the potential risk of persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride.
Irwig MS, Kolukula S, et al.Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride for male pattern hair loss. J Sex Med. 2011 Jun;8(6):1747-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02255.x. Epub 2011 Mar 18. [PubMed]