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No morning erections after finasteride: PFS?

The UK leaflet warns finasteride erection problems can last after stopping. If your morning erections don't return, that can fit post-finasteride syndrome.

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By Morten SkovPublished
Poster: No morning erections after finasteride: is it PFS? Below: erection problems can last after stopping, the UK finasteride leaflet warns. Source: UK Propecia (finasteride) leaflet, May 2026.

Finasteride can cause erection problems, and some men say their morning erections stopped. If yours haven’t come back since you stopped, especially with low desire or less feeling in your penis, that fits a warning in the UK leaflet: erection problems can last. Patients call this post-finasteride syndrome (PFS).

PFS is more than an erection problem. In 2022, doctors and researchers proposed a checklist to recognise it: a lasting drop in sex drive, erection problems, and less feeling in the genitals and at orgasm. Problems with concentration and memory, depression and suicidal thoughts can come with these, or on their own. If you’re struggling, Samaritans are free on 116 123, day or night.

Morning erections can feel like a home test. They happen while you sleep, so it feels as if worry can’t be to blame. They’re a real clue, but a rough one. The few studies looked mostly at older men.

The story in 3 lines

  1. The UK Propecia leaflet lists “persistent difficulty having an erection after discontinuation of treatment”.
  2. Neither that leaflet nor the 2022 PFS checklist mentions morning erections.
  3. One clinic study in Italy found that men with sex problems on finasteride-type drugs were more likely to notice fewer sleep erections. Nobody has counted how often PFS happens.

Press: contact@sidefxhub.com

Carlos started finasteride for thinning hair in February 2021. He was told sexual side effects were unlikely, and temporary. Almost two years later, he kissed someone he liked and felt nothing, “neither my brain or my genitals”. He stopped the tablets three days later. In this extract, he explains why he never believed it was in his head.

An extract (19:10 to 20:27) from Carlos's interview with Moral Medicine, March 2024, in English. The views are their own.

Specialists told him it was psychological, and that everything would come back. He’d lost his night-time and morning erections, and to him that settled it. “When you lose that, that’s not psychological, because you are sleeping,” he says. About 15 months after his last tablet, he was still dealing with it.

Does finasteride stop morning erections?

Some men say it does. The UK leaflet says erection problems are uncommon, affecting up to 1 in 100 people. Our article on finasteride’s sexual side effects covers what the trials found.

Two studies looked at erections in sleep, and they point different ways. In a large clinic study in Florence, men seeing doctors about sex problems described their symptoms. Those on finasteride or a similar drug more often said they’d noticed fewer sleep erections, and less desire. On average, they were in their sixties.

A small sleep-lab trial from 1995 measured healthy middle-aged men’s erections overnight. For three months they took a dummy tablet or the stronger finasteride tablet used for an enlarged prostate. Finasteride didn’t consistently reduce their sleep erections.

We found no study that followed morning erections in young men before, during and after the 1 mg hair-loss tablet (searched October 2026).

A Propecia 1 mg finasteride carton with a foil blister strip marked with days of the week and one small tablet in front
Finasteride 1 mg, the hair-loss tablet, sold as Propecia (a Canadian pack). Photo: Kristoferb, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Will they come back after stopping finasteride?

The NHS says finasteride’s side effects “usually improve after a while, but they can sometimes carry on even after you stop taking finasteride”.

The tablet doesn’t hang around. Finasteride leaves your blood within days of the last dose. So when a problem lasts for months, the drug has long gone.

That’s what the leaflet warns about: “persistent difficulty having an erection after discontinuation of treatment”. It gives no figure for how often. For some people it has lasted years after stopping. Nobody knows yet who will be affected, or whether it will ease.

Finasteride after the last tablet

Within hours
Half the dose has left the blood
Within days
The drug has gone
Three months
The PFS checklist can applyIf sexual problems are still there.
Years later
For some menThe symptoms remain.
Sources: UK prescribing information for Propecia; NHS; Healy and colleagues, 2022.

Does no morning wood mean it isn’t in my head?

It points that way, but it isn’t proof. For decades, doctors have used erections in sleep to help tell whether erection problems come from the body or the mind. The NHS says that, depending on the cause, you may still get an erection “when you wake up”.

Depression can weaken sleep erections too, as our article on antidepressants and morning erections explains. And the finasteride leaflet lists depression as a possible side effect. So look at the timing. Did your morning erections change after you started? Have they stayed away since you stopped?

Dr Michael Irwig, a US hormone specialist who studied men with lasting side effects, said in 2012 that many had been told it was all in their head. Watch the extract if you’ve been told the same.

An extract (1:48 to 2:15) from an interview with Dr Michael Irwig, posted by the PFS Foundation in August 2012, in English. Background on PFS in general.

What can I do?

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

Write down your dates and what changed: “Finasteride 1 mg from March 2022, last tablet June 2024. No morning erections since May 2024. Touch feels numb.” Add changes beyond sex, such as low mood or trouble concentrating, and how things were before.

Three questions for your GP

  1. Could this be a lasting effect of finasteride, as the leaflet describes?
  2. What else should we rule out, and how?
  3. Can this go on my record and be reported as a side effect through the Yellow Card scheme?

You could start with: "My morning erections went while I was on finasteride, and they haven't come back since I stopped. The leaflet lists erection problems that carry on after stopping."

Many people say it took time to be taken seriously. Bring the leaflet line. You can report it without a doctor agreeing.

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. Our Yellow Card guide for finasteride shows each step.
  • 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?

Is it PFS if only my morning erections have gone? The checklist doesn’t name them. It asks about desire, erections when you want one, and feeling in the genitals and at orgasm. To count towards PFS, the problems must still be there three months after stopping, with nothing else to explain them. Our guide to the PFS checklist goes through each part.

Could it be low testosterone? Finasteride works by lowering a related hormone, DHT. A Harvard study found normal testosterone and DHT in men with lasting symptoms after finasteride. Our article on finasteride and testosterone explains what a normal result can and can’t rule out.

I’m still taking finasteride. What should I do? Tell your prescriber. The UK leaflet says that if you notice problems with sexual function, you should contact your doctor, who may consider stopping the treatment. Note the date you first noticed.

Carlos pointed to what had changed while he slept. If your morning erections went with finasteride and haven’t come back, write down your dates today and report it. Our PFS page explains the condition.

Sources

  1. Organon Pharma (UK) Limited. Propecia 1 mg film-coated tablets, patient information leaflet, electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC 2194), last revised May 2026. Section 2, mood: if mood changes, “stop taking Propecia and contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible”. Section 2, sexual function: “contact your doctor … Your doctor may consider stopping the treatment”. Section 4, uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): “you may be unable to have an erection (impotence)”. Section 4, frequency unknown: “persistent difficulty having an erection after discontinuation of treatment”. The leaflet does not mention morning, night-time or sleep erections.
  2. Propecia 1 mg, summary of product characteristics, EMC, text revised 29 June 2026. Section 5.2: mean terminal half-life about 5 to 6 hours in men aged 18 to 60. Section 4.8: reports of sexual dysfunction persisting after stopping.
  3. 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 from an expert group, not an official diagnosis. Section 5 (PFS) lists lasting loss of desire, erectile dysfunction, and “reduction in genital and orgasmic sensation”. It adds: “The problem is present for ≥3 months after stopping treatment”. No other condition or medicine should account for it. “Sexual dysfunction that happens on finasteride but clears after treatment stops is not PFS.” Cognitive impairment, depression and suicidality “can occur independently of any sexual difficulties”. Section 5 does not mention nocturnal or morning erections; the PSSD section lists them as an ancillary sign. “The incidence of these conditions is unknown.”
  4. Corona G, Rastrelli G, Maseroli E and colleagues. Inhibitors of 5α-reductase-related side effects in patients seeking medical care for sexual dysfunction. J Endocrinol Invest 2012;35(10):915-20. 3,837 men at a sexual medicine clinic in Florence, mean age 63.5, records reviewed. Use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (the class of finasteride and dutasteride; the abstract names neither drug nor dose) went with low desire and fewer perceived sleep-related erections. It was not linked to erectile dysfunction. Read as the abstract only.
  5. Cunningham GR, Hirshkowitz M. Inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase with finasteride: sleep-related erections, potency, and libido in healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1995;80(6):1934-40. Randomised and double-blind: 20 men aged 41 to 64 took finasteride 5 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. Finasteride “did not consistently suppress sleep-related erections compared to” placebo. Read as the abstract only.
  6. Our search: PubMed, 27 October 2026, for finasteride, dutasteride or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors with nocturnal, morning or sleep-related erections. No study followed morning erections in young men before, during and after 1 mg finasteride. Nearest after stopping: Stachelek J and colleagues, Int Urol Nephrol 2025;57(8):2387-94, three men with post-drug syndrome (mixed medicines) whose nocturnal erections were tracked during a treatment study (abstract only). A 2026 Japanese study of dutasteride and sleep erections (Matsuki M and colleagues, Int J Urol 2026;33(1):e70291) has no abstract on PubMed and could not be opened.
  7. NHS, Side effects of finasteride, page last reviewed 2 August 2023.
  8. NHS, Erectile dysfunction (impotence), page last reviewed 28 July 2023. “Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up.” Depression and hormone problems are among the causes listed.
  9. Qin F, Gao L, Qian S and colleagues. Advantages and limitations of sleep-related erection and rigidity monitoring: a review. Int J Impot Res 2018;30(4):192-201. Sleep erection monitoring “has been used to differentiate psychogenic from organic erectile dysfunction”. Read as the abstract only.
  10. Thase ME, Reynolds CF 3rd, Jennings JR and colleagues. Diminished nocturnal penile tumescence in depression: a replication study. Biol Psychiatry 1992;31(11):1136-42. 51 men with major depression had weaker sleep erections. Read as the abstract only.
  11. Basaria S, Jasuja R, Huang G and colleagues. Characteristics of men who report persistent sexual symptoms after finasteride use for hair loss. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016;101(12):4669-80. Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone “did not differ among groups”. Read as the abstract only.
  12. Moral Medicine, “This is survival. You feel dead inside…” Carlos’s Life with Post Finasteride Syndrome, 25 March 2024 (35 minutes), embedded here as an extract from 19:10 to 20:27. From the YouTube auto-captions: started in February 2021 (4:12). Told side effects were a small chance and “all temporary” (5:33 to 5:44). The night in December 2022 (14:29 to 15:35). Stopped three days later (16:18). Off it “about a year and three months” when filmed (18:57). Still dealing with it (19:10). Told it was psychological and would come back (19:34 to 19:44). Lost “nocturnal and morning” erections: “that’s not psychological because you are sleeping” (19:59 to 20:09). His story on our site: Carlos’s struggle with PFS.
  13. PFS Foundation, Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride (Propecia) for male pattern hair loss, interview with Dr Michael Irwig, 27 August 2012 (4 minutes), embedded here as an extract from 1:48 to 2:15. Paraphrased from the YouTube auto-captions: many patients were told “it’s all in your head” (2:04 to 2:07).
  14. Photo: Propecia box and tablet, Kristoferb, 2010, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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.