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Finasteride testicular pain: can it last?

Pain in the testicles is a listed side effect of finasteride. The labels don't say it lasts, but some men with post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) say it did.

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By Morten SkovPublished
Poster: Finasteride testicular pain: can it last? Below: It's a listed side effect; some men say it lasted after stopping. Source: UK Propecia (finasteride) leaflet; Healy et al. 2018.

Pain in the testicles is a listed side effect of finasteride. It’s in the UK leaflet and on the US label, the official information for doctors there. Neither says it lasts after stopping, but some men with post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) say their pain did.

If the pain is sudden or severe, stop reading and get help now. The NHS says to “go to A&E immediately or call 999”, because it can be a twisted testicle, which needs treating quickly.

PFS is the name for problems that carry on after stopping finasteride or a similar medicine. It isn’t only about sex. A checklist doctors and researchers proposed in 2022 says depression, suicidal thoughts and problems with concentration and memory can come with the sexual problems, or without them. If you’re struggling, the Samaritans are on 116 123.

The story in 3 lines

  1. Pain in the testicles is on the UK finasteride leaflet and the US Propecia label (UK leaflet).
  2. Neither says it lasts. Their “after stopping” warnings cover erections, sex drive and ejaculation (US label).
  3. Some men with PFS say their pain went on. Nobody has measured how often (2018 study).

Press: contact@sidefxhub.com

Jaren took Propecia, a brand of finasteride, for seven years and says he had no side effects. Some weeks after he stopped, he noticed in the shower that his testicles hurt. The clip shows that moment: a new pain, on top of weeks of bad sleep, and no idea why.

An extract (10:42 to 11:48) from Jaren’s interview with Moral Medicine, January 2024. He stopped finasteride around the time he was taking other medicines for a tooth infection. The views are his own.

He thought about seeing a urologist, a specialist in this part of the body. His story is on our site.

Is testicular pain a side effect of finasteride?

Yes. The UK Propecia leaflet lists “pain in the testicles”, but doesn’t say how often it happens.

The US label adds that in Propecia’s trials, men on finasteride had testicular pain no more often than men on a dummy pill. It’s listed because men reported it after the medicine went on sale. Reports like these can’t reliably show how often a side effect happens, the label says, or prove the medicine caused it.

None of that makes your pain less real. The US patient leaflet says: “Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.”

For the other warnings in the pack, see finasteride warnings.

Can testicular pain last after stopping finasteride?

The labels don’t say so, but some men say theirs has. Both warn that some sexual side effects have carried on after stopping: erection problems, low sex drive and problems with ejaculation. Pain isn’t one of them.

The evidence is mostly men’s own reports. A 2018 study looked at reports to a drug-safety website from people whose sexual problems carried on after stopping a medicine. It included 25 men who had taken finasteride or dutasteride, a similar medicine. Five of them also described pain in the penis or testicles. People chose to write in, so the reports can’t show how common it is.

Doctors have described it too. A Beijing hospital’s 2022 report on young men with PFS lists testicular pain in one of them. A 2020 review of PFS names it among the symptoms men describe.

The 2022 checklist doesn’t include testicular pain. Nobody has measured how often the pain lasts, or for how long.

Could the pain be something else?

Yes, and that’s the first thing to rule out. The NHS page on testicle pain lists a twisted testicle, an infection, an injury, a hernia, a build-up of fluid and swollen veins.

Pain on its own isn’t usually a sign of testicular cancer, it says. Cancer more often shows as a lump or swelling. This NHS film shows how to check your testicles, and which changes to get looked at. It doesn’t mention finasteride.

How to check your testicles, NHS, December 2024. Two minutes, with subtitles.

The PFS checklist also asks doctors to rule out other conditions first. So a check-up helps either way.

What can I do about testicular pain on finasteride?

These medicines help many people. If you have side effects, that’s a decision for you and your prescriber. If your mood drops, the UK leaflet says to stop taking it and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

When to get help with testicle pain

1
A&E or 999 now

Sudden, severe pain. Pain with feeling sick, being sick or tummy pain. Pain that has lasted more than an hour, or carries on when you rest.

2
Urgent GP appointment or NHS 111

An ache you're worried about. A lump, swelling, a change in shape or feel, or one testicle getting bigger.

3
Mention finasteride

When you started, when you stopped, and when the pain began.

Steps 1 and 2 follow the NHS page on testicle pain, last reviewed 26 June 2025.

If a doctor has ruled out anything urgent and the pain keeps coming back, write down your dates: “Finasteride 1 mg from March 2024, last tablet January 2025. Aching in both testicles since December 2024.” The UK leaflet asks you to note “what happened, when it started and how long it lasted”.

Three questions for your GP

  1. What could be causing this pain, and how do we check?
  2. Could finasteride be part of it?
  3. Can this go on my record, and will you report it to the medicines regulator?

You could start with: “The finasteride leaflet lists pain in the testicles. Mine began on finasteride and it hasn't gone away.”

Many people say it took time to be taken seriously, so bring the leaflet line. You can report it yourself, even if your doctor doesn’t agree. Our guide on which doctor to see for PFS explains when a urologist might help.

Report it: it helps everyone

A doctor’s note helps you. A report to the medicines regulator helps everyone else: it is how patterns get noticed.

  • No proof needed. A suspicion is enough, even years after stopping.
  • Where: the Yellow Card scheme in the UK, MedWatch in the US.
  • Use the right words. If symptoms continued after stopping, write Post 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor syndrome (MedDRA 10082430).

Our reporting guide walks you through it

What else do people ask?

Does the pain go away? It can. The UK leaflet says some side effects ease as you keep taking it, or go when you stop. Pablo’s testicles hurt when he started finasteride, and the pain went with time, he says (his story). Some men with PFS say theirs hasn’t.

Can finasteride shrink the testicles? Neither the UK leaflet nor the US label lists it, and small studies disagree. An Italian study scanned the testicles of men with PFS and found them a normal size. Doctors in Beijing found smaller testicles in two men with PFS. The NHS says a change in shape, or one testicle getting bigger, needs an urgent GP appointment. See also penile shrinkage.

Can a finasteride spray or gel cause it? In April 2025 the US regulator warned about finasteride that pharmacies mix to put on the skin. It hasn’t approved any of these. Its reports included testicular pain, and most said the problems carried on after stopping. It didn’t say how many were about pain. More in topical finasteride.

Jaren recorded his story three months after he stopped. By then his sexual side effects had cleared, he said, and he hoped the rest would follow. If your pain began on finasteride or after it, get it checked, then report it. Our PFS page explains what’s known about the condition.

Sources

  1. Propecia 1 mg film-coated tablets, patient information leaflet (UK), electronic Medicines Compendium, Organon, last revised May 2026. Section 2, on mood: “stop taking Propecia and contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible”. Section 4 opens: “Some of the side effects are temporary with continued treatment or disappeared when treatment is stopped.” Section 4, “Frequency unknown”: “pain in the testicles”. The same list has lasting erection, sex drive and ejaculation problems “after discontinuation of treatment”. Last paragraph: “It will help if you make a note of what happened, when it started and how long it lasted.” Testicle size is not mentioned.
  2. Propecia 1 mg, summary of product characteristics (UK), text revised 29 June 2026. Section 4.8, “Not known”: “Breast tenderness and enlargement, testicular pain, haematospermia, infertility”. Post-marketing: persistence of decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorder after stopping; testicular pain is not among them.
  3. Propecia (finasteride), US prescribing information and Patient Information, DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine; label version effective October 2024, Patient Information revised November 2023. Section 6.1: “In the clinical studies with PROPECIA, the incidences for breast tenderness and enlargement, hypersensitivity reactions, and testicular pain in finasteride-treated patients were not different from those in patients treated with placebo”. Section 6.2, postmarketing, says it is not always possible to estimate frequency or establish cause. Its reproductive system list: “sexual dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of treatment, including erectile dysfunction, libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders; […] testicular pain; hematospermia”. Patient Information: testicular pain among effects “reported in general use”; “Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.” Neither lists testicular shrinkage.
  4. NHS, Testicle pain, page last reviewed 26 June 2025. “Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have: sudden, severe pain in a testicle”. Also for pain with feeling sick, being sick or tummy pain, or pain that “has lasted more than an hour or continues when you’re resting”. Urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 for aching you’re worried about, a lump, swelling, or a change in shape or feel. Causes: testicular torsion (“can lead to the loss of the testicle if it’s not treated quickly”), epididymitis, injury, inguinal hernia, cyst, varicocele. “Pain by itself is not usually a sign of testicular cancer.”
  5. Healy D, Bahrick A, Bak M and colleagues. Diagnostic criteria for enduring sexual dysfunction after treatment with antidepressants, finasteride and isotretinoin. Int J Risk Saf Med 2022;33(1):65-76. Proposed criteria agreed by expert consensus. Section 5, PFS: criterion 8, “No current medical conditions that could account for the symptoms”; “cognitive impairment”, “depression” and “suicidality” “can occur independently of any sexual difficulties but may also accompany sexual problems”. The PFS criteria do not list testicular pain.
  6. Healy D, Le Noury J, Mangin D. Enduring sexual dysfunction after treatment with antidepressants, 5α-reductase inhibitors and isotretinoin: 300 cases. Int J Risk Saf Med 2018;29(3-4):125-134. 300 reports to RxISK.org, a drug-safety website set up by the authors and colleagues. Table 3a, men: “Penile or testicular pain” in 5 of 25 men after 5α-reductase inhibitors. Self-selected reports with no comparison group.
  7. Li X, Guo Y, Lu Y and colleagues. Case report: a study of the clinical characteristics and genetic variants of post-finasteride syndrome patients. Transl Androl Urol 2022;11:1452-1457. Three men aged 22 to 23 seen at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, with PFS for 1 to 3 years. Table 1: testicular pain in case 1. On examination, cases 1 and 2 had “testicles that were significantly reduced in size”.
  8. Pereira AFJR, Coelho TOA. Post-finasteride syndrome. An Bras Dermatol 2020;95(3):271-277. Review; lists “testicular pain” and “testicular reduction” among symptoms reported in PFS.
  9. Melcangi RC, Santi D, Spezzano R and colleagues. Neuroactive steroid levels and psychiatric and andrological features in post-finasteride patients. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017;171:229-235. Abstract: in 16 men with PFS, “Testicular volume by ultrasonography was normal”.
  10. US Food and Drug Administration, FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and consumers of potential risks associated with compounded topical finasteride products, 22 April 2025. 32 reports between 2019 and 2024, describing effects including “testicular pain”; “Most of the reports FDA has received state the adverse events continued to persist after product discontinuation.”
  11. Moral Medicine, 7 Years on Finasteride With No Side Effects, Then His Health Collapsed, interview with Jaren, 29 January 2024, 17 minutes. From the automatic captions. Propecia for 7 years “with zero side effects”, off it “close to 3 months”, 1:56 to 2:07. Noticed “testicular pain” in the shower, 10:42 to 10:52; considered seeing a urologist, 11:04 to 11:08; had not yet linked it to finasteride, 11:48; some things better and hoping “other things can get better too”, 13:18 to 13:29; sexual side effects “all completely resolved”, 13:31 to 13:35. Dentist appointments for a tooth infection, “I’m taking all these medicines”, and stopped finasteride at that time, 3:01 to 4:18. This page plays 10:42 to 11:48.
  12. Moral Medicine, Years on Finasteride with No Issues, Until Everything Collapsed, interview with Pablo, 22 September 2025. From the automatic captions: “some testicular pain at the beginning” that “goes with time”, 3:38 to 3:51.
  13. NHS, How to check your testicles, 10 December 2024, 2 minutes. English captions by the NHS.

Sources checked on 27 October 2026. AI-assisted writing and review, not clinical review.

This information does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor before you make any decision about your treatment.

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Finasteride: what the official texts say, country by country

For the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride (Propecia), the product information we read in the United Kingdom, in the United States, in Canada, in Australia, in New Zealand, in Germany, in France, in Italy, in Spain, in Brazil and in India, in some places that of another product, lists sexual dysfunction that continued after treatment was stopped. In each of those texts it stands among side effects reported once the medicine was in general use. Several add that these reports come from a group of unknown size, so how often this happens, and whether finasteride is the cause, cannot always be established. Patients call lasting effects after finasteride post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). The wording a European Commission decision set for the EU in 2025 is about mood and thoughts of suicide, and has no sentence about sexual side effects continuing after the medicine is stopped.

This is a record of what each text says and of the date it prints. A text is quoted in its own words, or summarised where the row says so. It is not a comparison of countries. All medicines and countries

Finasteride: the official texts, country by country (85 texts read)
Finasteride: what each text says about sexual side effects, and about side effects that continue after stopping.
Country or regionWhat the text saysDocumentDates
United Kingdom

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Undesirable effects · Psychiatric disorders: · Uncommon*:Decreased libido.

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Undesirable effects · Reproductive system and breast disorders: · Uncommon*:Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder (including decreased volume of ejaculate).

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8 Undesirable effectsIn addition, the following have been reported in post-marketing use: persistence of sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorder) after discontinuation of treatment with 'Propecia'; male breast cancer (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

The same text also says4.8 Undesirable effectsThe frequency of adverse reactions reported during post-marketing use cannot be determined as they are derived from spontaneous reports.

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Undesirable effectsIn these studies, the following drug-related adverse experiences were reported in ≥1% of men treated with 'Propecia': decreased libido ('Propecia', 1.8% vs. placebo, 1.3%) and erectile dysfunction (1.3%, 0.7%). In addition, decreased volume of ejaculate was reported in 0.8% of men treated with 'Propecia' and 0.4% of men treated with placebo. Resolution of these side effects occurred in men who discontinued therapy with 'Propecia' and in many who continued therapy. The effect of 'Propecia' on ejaculate volume was measured in a separate study and was not different from that seen with placebo.

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Undesirable effectsDrug-related sexual undesirable effects were more common in the finasteride 1 mg-treated men than the placebo-treated men, with frequencies during the first 12 months of 3.8% vs 2.1%, respectively. The incidence of these effects decreased to 0.6% in finasteride 1 mg-treated men over the following four years. Approximately 1% of men in each treatment group discontinued due to drug-related sexual adverse experiences in the first 12 months, and the incidence declined thereafter.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC): Propecia 1 mg Film-Coated TabletsPropecia 1 mg film-coated tablets, Organon Pharma (UK) Limited · Read in a compendium of product information: emcAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; 5 related documents, with such a sentence; 5 related documents, with no such sentenceText revisedChecked
European Union

This text has no sentence about sexual side effects continuing after the medicine is stopped.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

This is wording for national product texts. There is no single EU product text for this medicine.

Document from the regulator Finasteride- and dutasteride-containing medicinal products, Article 31 referral: Annex III Amendments to relevant sections of the Product InformationRead on the regulator's site: European Medicines AgencyAlso on record: 2 more related documents, with no such sentenceThe text prints no dateChecked
United States

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping6 ADVERSE REACTIONS · 6.2 Postmarketing ExperienceReproductive System: sexual dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of treatment, including erectile dysfunction, libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders; male infertility and/or poor seminal quality (normalization or improvement of seminal quality has been reported after discontinuation of finasteride); testicular pain; hematospermia.

The same text also says6 ADVERSE REACTIONS · 6.2 Postmarketing ExperienceThe following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of PROPECIA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

This sentence stands in the list of adverse reactions. The warnings section of this text has no entry on sexual function.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

This text names sexual side effects in several places that this row does not show. Together those passages are too long to reproduce here. The document link in this row opens the text. That they are not shown says nothing about how common these side effects are.

On 14 October 2026 we searched the labels in openFDA, the FDA's open database. A sentence that sexual dysfunction continued after treatment was stopped stood on 151 of the 181 labels in that database that name finasteride, and on each of them among the adverse reactions, in no warnings section. Of the 30 without it, 10 are hair products with labels in the Drug Facts style, 5 are listings of compounded solutions for the skin, 2 have no text on adverse reactions, and 13 are older labels of 5 mg tablets with an earlier list of adverse reactions.

A table cell or list line is shown whole, as the text prints it. Some of them also name side effects that are not sexual.

Text for professionals PROPECIA® (finasteride) tablets for oral use: Full Prescribing InformationPropecia tablets 1 mg, Organon LLC · Read in the government's medicines database: DailyMedAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; 2 related documents, with such a sentence; 3 related documents, with no such sentenceText revisedChecked
Canada

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping8 ADVERSE REACTIONS · 8.5 Post-Market Adverse ReactionsPsychiatric disorders: mood alterations and depression, decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of treatment.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping8 ADVERSE REACTIONS · 8.5 Post-Market Adverse ReactionsReproductive system and breast disorders: sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders) that continued after discontinuation of treatment, breast tenderness and enlargement, male breast cancer, testicular pain, hematospermia, male infertility and/or poor seminal quality.

The same text also says8 ADVERSE REACTIONS · 8.5 Post-Market Adverse ReactionsBecause these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

This sentence stands in the list of adverse reactions. The warnings section of this text has no entry on sexual function.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

This text names sexual side effects in several places that this row does not show. Together those passages are too long to reproduce here. The document link in this row opens the text. That they are not shown says nothing about how common these side effects are.

A table cell or list line is shown whole, as the text prints it. Some of them also name side effects that are not sexual.

Text for professionals PRODUCT MONOGRAPH INCLUDING PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION: PrPROPECIA® finasteride tablets, Film-coated Tablets 1 mg, USPPropecia film-coated tablets 1 mg, Organon Canada Inc. · Read in the regulator's own database: Drug Product DatabaseAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; 2 related documents, with no such sentenceText revisedChecked
Australia

Sexual side effects that continue after stoppingSection 4.8 · Post-marketing experienceIn section 4.8, under post-marketing experience, Australia's product information for Propecia lists a lower sex drive, and sexual dysfunction (erection and ejaculation problems), each as having gone on after the treatment was stopped.Summarised, not quoted, because of the TGA's access terms.

The same text also saysSection 4.8 · Post-marketing experienceThe text says these reports come from a group of unknown size, so how often this happens, and whether the medicine is the cause, cannot always be established.Summarised, not quoted, because of the TGA's access terms.

The regulator's site asks readers to accept its terms before it shows this text.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT INFORMATION PROPECIA (finasteride) TabletsPROPECIA, Organon Pharma Pty Ltd · Read in the regulator's own database: TGA eBSAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentenceText revisedChecked
New Zealand

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Undesirable effects · Adverse events identified during clinical trialsIn these studies, the following medicine-related adverse experiences were reported in ≥ 1% of men treated with PROPECIA: • decreased libido (PROPECIA, 1.8% vs. placebo, 1.3%) • erectile dysfunction (1.3%, 0.7%). In addition, decreased volume of ejaculate was reported in 0.8% of men treated with PROPECIA and 0.4% of men treated with placebo.

The same text also says4.8 Undesirable effects · Adverse events identified during clinical trialsResolution of these adverse effects occurred in men who discontinued therapy with PROPECIA and in many who continued therapy. In a separate study, the effect of PROPECIA on ejaculate volume was measured and was not different from that seen with placebo. The incidence of each of the above adverse effects decreased to ≤ 0.3% by the fifth year of treatment with PROPECIA.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8 Undesirable effects · Adverse events identified during postmarketing experience · Psychiatric disorders:decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of treatment.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8 Undesirable effects · Adverse events identified during postmarketing experience · Reproductive system and breast disorders:sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders) that continued after discontinuation of treatment

The same text also says4.8 Undesirable effects · Adverse events identified during postmarketing experienceBecause these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

This sentence stands in the list of adverse reactions. The warnings section of this text has no entry on sexual function.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals New Zealand Data Sheet, PROPECIAPropecia 1 mg film coated tablet, Organon (New Zealand) Limited · Read in the regulator's own database: MedsafeAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; patients' leaflet, with such a sentence; related document, with such a sentenceText revisedChecked
Germany

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Nebenwirkungen · Psychiatrische Erkrankungen: · Gelegentlich*verminderte LibidoOriginal text: German. Our translation:decreased libido

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Nebenwirkungen · Erkrankungen der Geschlechtsorgane und der Brustdrüse: · Gelegentlich*erektile Dysfunktion, Ejakulationsstörung (einschl. vermindertes Ejakulatvolumen)Original text: German. Our translation:erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder (including decreased volume of ejaculate)

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8 NebenwirkungenNach Markteinführung wurde zusätzlich über Folgendes berichtet: Persistenz von sexueller Dysfunktion (verminderte Libido, erektile Dysfunktion und Ejakulationsstörungen) nach dem Absetzen von Finasterid; Brustkrebs beim Mann (siehe Abschnitt 4.4 Besondere Warnhinweise und Vorsichtsmaßnahmen für die Anwendung).Original text: German. Our translation:In addition, the following has been reported after marketing: persistence of sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders) after finasteride has been stopped; breast cancer in men (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

The same text also says4.8 NebenwirkungenDie Häufigkeit der nach Markteinführung berichteten unerwünschten Ereignisse kann nicht bestimmt werden, da es sich um Spontanberichte handelt.Original text: German. Our translation:The frequency of the adverse events reported after marketing cannot be determined, as they come from spontaneous reports.

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 NebenwirkungenMit einer Häufigkeit von 3,8 % bzw. 2,1 % während der ersten 12 Monate waren sexuelle Nebenwirkungen bei den mit Finasterid behandelten Männern häufiger als bei den mit Placebo behandelten Männern. Die Häufigkeit dieser Nebenwirkungen sank bei den mit Finasterid behandelten Männern auf 0,6 % im Laufe der folgenden 4 Jahre. Ca. 1 % der Männer in jeder Behandlungsgruppe beendete die Behandlung aufgrund sexueller Nebenwirkungen während der ersten 12 Monate, danach nahm die Häufigkeit ab.Original text: German. Our translation:With frequencies of 3.8% and 2.1% respectively during the first 12 months, sexual side effects were more common in men treated with finasteride than in men treated with placebo. The frequency of these side effects fell to 0.6% in men treated with finasteride over the following 4 years. About 1% of the men in each treatment group stopped treatment because of sexual side effects during the first 12 months; after that, the frequency decreased.

This is the holder's own copy. The regulator's database asks visitors to accept its terms first, which we did not do.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals Fachinformation (Zusammenfassung der Merkmale des Arzneimittels)Propecia® 1 mg Filmtabletten, Organon Healthcare GmbH · Read on the holder's own site: Organon Healthcare GmbHAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; patients' leaflet, with no such sentence; 2 related documents, with such a sentence; related document, with no such sentenceText revisedChecked
France

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Effets indésirables · Affections psychiatriques · Peu fréquent*baisse de la libidoOriginal text: French. Our translation:decreased libido

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Effets indésirables · Affections des organes de reproduction et du sein · Peu fréquent*troubles de l'érection, troubles de l'éjaculation (y compris diminution du volume de l'éjaculat)Original text: French. Our translation:erection disorders, ejaculation disorders (including decreased volume of ejaculate)

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8. Effets indésirablesDe plus, depuis la mise sur le marché, les effets indésirables suivants ont été rapportés : persistance des troubles de la fonction sexuelle (baisse de la libido, troubles de l'érection et de l'éjaculation) après l'arrêt du traitement par finastéride ; cancer du sein chez l'homme (voir rubrique 4.4 « Mises en garde spéciales et précautions d'emploi »).Original text: French. Our translation:In addition, since marketing, the following adverse effects have been reported: persistence of sexual function disorders (decreased libido, erection and ejaculation disorders) after treatment with finasteride has been stopped; breast cancer in men (see section 4.4 “Special warnings and precautions for use”).

The same text also says4.8. Effets indésirablesLa fréquence des effets indésirables rapportés depuis la commercialisation ne peut être déterminée dans la mesure où elle découle de cas de pharmacovigilance spontanés.Original text: French. Our translation:The frequency of the adverse effects reported since marketing cannot be determined, as it derives from spontaneous pharmacovigilance cases.

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Effets indésirablesLes effets indésirables sexuels ont été plus fréquents chez les hommes traités par le finastéride que chez les hommes recevant le placebo, avec des fréquences respectives de 3,8 % vs 2,1 % pendant les 12 premiers mois. L'incidence de ces effets a diminué à 0,6 % chez les hommes traités par le finastéride au cours des quatre années suivantes. Environ 1 % des hommes (dans chaque groupe) ont arrêté le traitement au cours des 12 premiers mois en raison d'effets indésirables sexuels liés au traitement. Cette incidence a diminué par la suite.Original text: French. Our translation:Sexual adverse effects were more frequent in men treated with finasteride than in men receiving placebo, with frequencies of 3.8% and 2.1% respectively during the first 12 months. The incidence of these effects fell to 0.6% in men treated with finasteride over the following four years. About 1% of men (in each group) stopped treatment during the first 12 months because of treatment-related sexual adverse effects. This incidence decreased thereafter.

The text itself prints no date of revision.

An official list of medicines we read shows the originator product as cancelled, revoked or archived. This is the text of another product, the one named in this row.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals Résumé des Caractéristiques du ProduitFINASTERIDE ARROW LAB 1 mg, comprimé pelliculé, ARROW GENERIQUES · Read in the government's medicines database: Base de données publique des médicamentsAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; patients' leaflet, with no such sentence; 9 related documents, with such a sentence; 3 related documents, with no such sentenceUpdated by the regulatorChecked
Italy

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Effetti indesiderati · Disturbi psichiatrici: · Non comune*Diminuzione della libidoOriginal text: Italian. Our translation:Decreased libido

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Effetti indesiderati · Patologie dell’apparato riproduttivo e della mammella: · Non comune*Disfunzione erettile, disordini dell’eiaculazione (incluso diminuzione del volume dell’eiaculato)Original text: Italian. Our translation:Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders (including decreased volume of ejaculate)

The same text also says4.8 Effetti indesideratiIncidenze presentate quali differenze dal placebo negli studi clinici al 12° mese.Original text: Italian. Our translation:Incidences given as differences from placebo in clinical studies at month 12.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8 Effetti indesideratiInoltre, durante l’uso post-marketing sono stati riportati: disfunzione sessuale persistente (riduzione della libido, disfunzione erettile e disturbi dell’eiaculazione) dopo l’interruzione del trattamento con finasterideOriginal text: Italian. Our translation:In addition, during post-marketing use the following has been reported: persistent sexual dysfunction (reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders) after treatment with finasteride was stopped

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8 Effetti indesideratiEffetti indesiderati correlati al medicinale inerenti la sfera sessuale sono stati più comuni fra gli uomini trattati con finasteride che fra quelli trattati con placebo con frequenze durante i primi 12 mesi di 3,8 % vs 2,1 %, rispettivamente. L’incidenza di tali effetti è diminuita allo 0,6 % negli uomini trattati con finasteride nel corso dei successivi quattro anni. Circa l’1 % degli uomini in ciascun gruppo di trattamento ha interrotto la terapia a seguito di esperienze avverse della sfera sessuale correlate con il medicinale verificatesi nei primi 12 mesi e l’incidenza è in seguito diminuita.Original text: Italian. Our translation:Drug-related adverse effects affecting the sexual sphere were more common among men treated with finasteride than among those treated with placebo, with frequencies during the first 12 months of 3.8% vs 2.1% respectively. The incidence of these effects fell to 0.6% in men treated with finasteride over the following four years. About 1% of men in each treatment group stopped therapy because of drug-related sexual adverse experiences in the first 12 months, and the incidence decreased thereafter.

The text itself prints no date of revision.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals Riassunto delle caratteristiche del prodottoPropecia 1 mg compresse rivestite con film, Organon Italia S.r.l. · Read in the regulator's own database: Banca Dati FarmaciAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; 2 related documents, with such a sentence; 2 related documents, with no such sentenceMade available by the regulatorChecked
Spain

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Reacciones adversas · Trastornos psiquiátricos: · Poco frecuentes*Disminución de la libidoOriginal text: Spanish. Our translation:Decreased libido

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Reacciones adversas · Trastornos del aparato reproductor y de la mama: · Poco frecuentes*Disfunción eréctil, trastorno de la eyaculación (incluida disminución del volumen de eyaculación)Original text: Spanish. Our translation:Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder (including decreased volume of ejaculate)

The same text also says4.8 Reacciones adversasLas incidencias se presentan en forma de diferencia respecto al placebo en estudios clínicos a los 12 meses.Original text: Spanish. Our translation:Incidences are given as the difference from placebo in clinical studies at 12 months.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping4.8. Reacciones adversasAdemás, durante su uso después de la comercialización se ha notificado: persistencia de la disfunción sexual (disminución de la libido, disfunción eréctil y trastornos de la eyaculación) después de la interrupción del tratamiento con finasteridaOriginal text: Spanish. Our translation:In addition, during use after marketing the following has been reported: persistence of sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders) after treatment with finasteride was stopped

Sexual side effects, as listed4.8. Reacciones adversasLas reacciones adversas sexuales relacionadas con el medicamento fueron más frecuentes en los varones tratados con finasterida que en los que recibían un placebo, con frecuencias durante los 12 primeros meses del 3,8 y el 2,1% respectivamente. La incidencia de estos efectos disminuyó al 0,6% en varones tratados con finasterida durante los cuatro años siguientes. Aproximadamente el 1% de los varones en cada grupo de tratamiento interrumpió el tratamiento debido a reacciones adversas sexuales relacionadas con el medicamento en los primeros 12 meses, y después la incidencia disminuyó.Original text: Spanish. Our translation:Drug-related sexual adverse reactions were more frequent in men treated with finasteride than in those receiving placebo, with frequencies during the first 12 months of 3.8% and 2.1% respectively. The incidence of these effects fell to 0.6% in men treated with finasteride over the following four years. About 1% of the men in each treatment group stopped treatment because of drug-related sexual adverse reactions in the first 12 months, and the incidence decreased afterwards.

This text also has a warning about changes in mood that names sexual dysfunction as something that may contribute to them. That warning says nothing about sexual side effects continuing after stopping. It is not reproduced here, because this record shows the sexual side effects a text lists and whether it says they continue after stopping. The document link in this row opens the text.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Text for professionals Ficha técnicaPropecia 1 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película, Organon Salud, S.L. · Read in the regulator's own database: CIMAAlso on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentence; 2 patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; patients' leaflet, with no such sentence; related document, with no such sentenceText revisedChecked
Brazil

Sexual side effects, as listed8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR? · Reação comum (ocorre entre 1% e 10% dos pacientes que utilizam este medicamento):pode sentir menos desejo de manter relações sexuais e/ou dificuldade na obtenção de uma ereção.Original text: Portuguese. Our translation:you may feel less desire to have sexual relations and/or have difficulty getting an erection.

Sexual side effects, as listed8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR? · Reação incomum (ocorre entre 0,1% e 1% dos pacientes que utilizam este medicamento):pode ter uma redução na quantidade de sêmen liberada durante a relação sexual (isto não parece interferir na função sexual normal).Original text: Portuguese. Our translation:you may have a reduction in the amount of semen released during sexual intercourse (this does not appear to interfere with normal sexual function).

The same text also says8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR?Nos estudos clínicos, estes efeitos adversos desapareceram em homens que pararam de tomar finasterida e em muitos homens que continuaram o tratamento.Original text: Portuguese. Our translation:In clinical studies, these adverse effects disappeared in men who stopped taking finasteride and in many men who continued treatment.

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR? · Frequência desconhecida: durante a comercialização do medicamento, as seguintes reações foram relatadas voluntariamente, não sendo possível estimar o tamanho da população exposta:problemas de ejaculação que continuou após a descontinuação do tratamentoOriginal text: Portuguese. Our translation:problems with ejaculation that continued after treatment was discontinued

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR? · Frequência desconhecida: durante a comercialização do medicamento, as seguintes reações foram relatadas voluntariamente, não sendo possível estimar o tamanho da população exposta:diminuição do desejo sexual que continuou após a descontinuação do tratamentoOriginal text: Portuguese. Our translation:decreased sexual desire that continued after treatment was discontinued

Sexual side effects that continue after stopping8. QUAIS OS MALES QUE ESTE MEDICAMENTO PODE ME CAUSAR? · Frequência desconhecida: durante a comercialização do medicamento, as seguintes reações foram relatadas voluntariamente, não sendo possível estimar o tamanho da população exposta:dificuldade de ter ereção que continuou após a descontinuação do tratamentoOriginal text: Portuguese. Our translation:difficulty having an erection that continued after treatment was discontinued

This is the holder's own copy. The regulator's database refused our requests (it blocks by country; we asked from Denmark).

An official list of medicines we read shows the originator product as cancelled, revoked or archived. This is the text of another product, the one named in this row.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

Patient leaflet finasterida, EMS S/A, comprimido revestido 1 mg: bula para o pacienteFinasterida 1 mg comprimido revestido, EMS S/A · Read on the holder's own site: Sara – Plataforma Oficial de Bulas Digitais de Medicamentos do Grupo EMSAlso on record: 2 texts for professionals, could not be opened; 3 more patients' leaflets, with such a sentence; 2 more patients' leaflets, could not be openedText approvedChecked
India

Sexual side effects that continue after stoppingUndesirable Effects · Postmarketing Experience · Reproductive System:Sexual dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of treatment, including erectile dysfunction, libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders; male infertility and/or poor seminal quality (normalization or improvement of seminal quality has been reported after discontinuation of finasteride); testicular pain.

The same text also saysUndesirable Effects · Postmarketing ExperienceThe following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of finasteride. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

This is the holder's own copy. This regulator publishes no database of such texts.

This sentence stands in the list of adverse reactions. The warnings section of this text has no entry on sexual function.

Texts for other products in this country do not all say the same. The ones we read are on the full record.

This text names sexual side effects in several places that this row does not show. Together those passages are too long to reproduce here. The document link in this row opens the text. That they are not shown says nothing about how common these side effects are.

A table cell or list line is shown whole, as the text prints it. Some of them also name side effects that are not sexual.

Text for professionals FINPECIA TabletsFinpecia tablets (finasteride IP 1 mg, film-coated), Cipla Ltd. · Read on the holder's own site: Cipla (ciplamed.com)Also on record: 1 more text for professionals, with such a sentenceText revisedChecked

Brand names

These are the brand names of finasteride we saw in the official lists, compendia and regulators' pages we opened on or after 14 October 2026. A country may have more.

Propecia
United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain
Proscar
United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain
Chibro-Proscar
France
Ricit
New Zealand
Prostide
Italy
Genaprost
Italy
Finastid
Italy
Asterid
Italy
Ridestin
Italy
Finestar
Italy
Fendazel
Italy
Stecur
Italy
Sitas
Italy
Finacapil
Italy
Ormicton
Italy
Carefinast
Italy
Finedor
Italy
Terip
Italy
Alocare
Spain
Litace
Spain
Maxpil
Spain
Excalv
Brazil
Finalop
Brazil
Finarid
Brazil
Finastil
Brazil
Prohair
Brazil

What is not known

  • How often PFS happens is unknown. The UK text for professionals says the frequency of the side effects reported after marketing, among them sexual dysfunction that persisted after treatment was stopped, “cannot be determined”, because they come from spontaneous reports. (source)

Code and reporting

In a report to a medicines regulator, the term is Post 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor syndrome (MedDRA code 10082430). Where to report, country by country

Every row in this table was checked on or after . To quote this record, name SIDEfxHUB and give this page's address. All medicines and countries · The whole record as a file: JSON · CSV · How these texts are checked

You may reuse this record under CC BY 4.0 if you credit SIDEfxHUB and give this page's address. The licence covers our compilation, not the texts quoted in it, in the original or in our translation, and not the article above.