Post Finasteride syndrome

Finasteride (Propecia) is used to treat male pattern baldness or an enlarged prostate. While Finasteride outcomes are generally positive, there is potential for side effects to persist long after the patient has stopped taking Finasteride. These side effects include sexual, feminising and psychological symptoms.

The sexual side effects are decreased libido as well as sexual anhedonia, which is an inability to feel sexual pleasure. It is also possible for men to lose muscle mass, decrease their ability to gain new muscle tissue and develop breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia. Other physical side effects can include tinnitus (ringing of the ears), decreased production of skin oils and an increase of fatty deposits on the body. Possible psychological side effects may occur following the onset of other symptoms. These side effects include memory loss (can be irreversible) suicidal thoughts and suicidal tendencies. It is not known whether these tendancies are a direct result of Finasteride, or if they are caused solely by the way the man affected perceives himself, or fears others may perceive him due to the changes in his body that Finasteride has caused.

Most of the time, these side effects will only affect men in a few small ways. However, there are reports of men who may be no longer be recognizable due to the changes that have occurred. At this time, there is no known cure for post-Finasteride syndrome. But it can resolve itself after a period of not taking the drug.

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