Finasteride is a medication with two main uses: It treats male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It works by preventing testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to both of those conditions.
If you’re considering taking finasteride, you should know that many users report side effects, including sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. While many of these side effects go away when you stop taking the medication, some people report that they linger for months, years, or indefinitely. This is referred to as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS), and it’s a serious concern for people who take or are considering taking finasteride.
This article will discuss the potential for both temporary and permanent side effects of finasteride, including Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS).