Finasteride dose reduction may resolve sexual side effects

New Australian research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that tapering the dose of finasteride may resolve sexual side effects while still maintaining hair growth for patients with male pattern hair loss.

A retrospective review of 100 men identified that sexual side effects—including reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculatory dysfunction—typically appeared an average of 42 weeks after starting treatment. Among the cohort, 73% reported a resolution of these symptoms after an average of 26.7 weeks.

The study compared three groups: those who discontinued treatment, those who tapered their dose, and those who maintained their current dose. While discontinuing the drug led to the highest reversal rate of side effects (95.8%), tapering the dose resulted in a 75% reversal rate, offering a potential middle ground for patients wishing to continue hair loss treatment.