What Does Finasteride Erectile Dysfunction Recovery Look Like?
Finasteride is often the first line of defence in the fight against hair loss. But if you’ve heard through the grapevine (or the depths of an online forum) about finasteride erectile dysfunction, you may have some reservations about the drug.
You’re probably also wondering if finasteride erectile dysfunction is reversible. (Spoiler alert: It is.) And it’s pretty rare, occurring in less than two percent of people who take the medication.
Whether you’re experiencing ED or just doing some due diligence before taking finasteride, you’re in the right place.
Learn more about what to expect from a finasteride erectile dysfunction recovery timeline in the (very) rare case you experience side effects when taking the popular hair loss medication.
What Is Finasteride?
We’ll keep this brief because if you’re reading this, chances are, you’re already familiar with finasteride and how it works.
Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia® and Proscar®, is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for treating male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate that can cause issues with urination.
Both of these conditions are linked to high levels of an androgen (male sex hormone) known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Having some DHT comes with the territory of being born a man. However, research shows that guys who experience male pattern hair loss tend to have higher levels of it.
This is where finasteride comes in. The medication is part of a class of drugs known as 5-α reductase inhibitors (or 5ARIs), which slow the enzyme called 5α-reductase (5AR) that’s responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.
Basically, finasteride stops DHT from binding to receptors in hair follicles. This is why you’ll often hear finasteride called a DHT blocker. But on the flip side, the medication actually increases testosterone levels rather than reducing them.
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Can Finasteride Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Does finasteride cause ED, really? After all, no one wants to solve one problem only to have another pop up.
Here’s a very concrete answer: In FDA clinical trials, 1.3 percent of men taking finasteride experienced erectile dysfunction compared to 0.7 percent of the placebo group.
Other potential sexual function issues and sexual side effects of finasteride include:
Loss of libido or a lowered sex drive
Ejaculatory disorders
Dizziness
And just over one percent of men taking finasteride in FDA clinical trials stopped using the medication because of adverse sexual side effects.
So finasteride ED is rare and, in most cases, not severe enough to stop the medication.
Research on Finasteride and ED
While research is mixed, some studies show that the duration of finasteride treatment influences the risk of developing ED.
One study found that young men (under 42 years old) who used finasteride or another similar medication, dutasteride, for more than 205 days had a “4.9-fold higher risk of persistent erectile dysfunction” than those with less exposure to the drug.
On the other hand, some studies have found no correlation between the use of finasteride for hair growth and sexual problems or ejaculation issues.
For example, a 2019 study saw no “significant differences” between finasteride users and non-users in sexual dysfunction. Participants reported their symptoms with the ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experiences) scale, which measures things like sex drive, arousal, erections, ability to reach orgasm, and overall satisfaction with sex.
Are Finasteride Side Effects Permanent?
The vast majority of men won’t experience side effects from finasteride, and even fewer will have permanent or persistent side effects.
So if you’re facing ED while taking finasteride, know it won’t last forever. The symptoms will either settle down as your body adjusts to the drug or subside once you stop taking it.
Is Finasteride Erectile Dysfunction Reversible?
The FDA notes that any sexual dysfunction side effects from finasteride — including ED — tend to go away with time, both for men who stop the drug and many who remain on it.
Finasteride ED Side Effects: BPH vs. Hair Loss
Benign prostate hyperplasia typically calls for a 5-milligram dose of finasteride, which is higher than the 1-milligram dose prescribed for hair loss. As you may expect, more side effects are associated with the higher dose, though they’re still possible at 1 milligram.
Some clinical studies have suggested that finasteride has a higher risk of adverse effects, including ED, for men who take it for BPH. But that association wasn’t found to be statistically significant in those with male androgenic alopecia (baldness).
For more information on this very rare condition, our guide to post-finasteride syndrome has more details.
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How Long Does It Take for ED to Go Away After Stopping Finasteride?
We know erectile dysfunction as a result of finasteride is rare — but uncommon things do happen to some people.
So if you think your ED could be caused by your hair loss treatment, you’re probably wondering, How long does it take to recover from erectile dysfunction caused by finasteride?
The exact recovery timeline for ED after stopping finasteride varies. But generally, finasteride side effects tend to resolve naturally within a few months.
Research shows finasteride has a short half-life of five to six hours. This means your body metabolises it fairly quickly.
If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction that doesn’t resolve on its own and decide to stop taking finasteride, you’ll probably start to see improvements within a few days of stopping. At that point, the medication should be fully out of your body.
In one study, 167 of 11,909 men (1.4 percent) developed persistent erectile dysfunction that continued for a median of 1,348 days after stopping the drugs. So, it could persist, but again, that would be very rare.
ED is multifactorial, meaning it’s hard to pin down its exact cause. In clinical trials, sexual dysfunction that continued after stopping Proscar was rarely reported.
Most of the men who did report persistent sexual side effects were older, taking other medication, and/or had comorbidities (another medical condition other than BPH), all of which can independently contribute to ED. So whether finasteride actually caused these effects is unknown.
How to Treat Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Finasteride
Whether you suspect your ED is caused by finasteride or some combination of things, the good news is erectile dysfunction is treatable.
Here are a few ways to treat finasteride erectile dysfunction (or ED from another cause):
Lifestyle changes. Things like reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a nutritious diet can make a big difference.
Stress management. Chronic stress can exacerbate or trigger ED. It can also mess up your sleep, which has implications for your sexual health. Stress relief techniques, like meditation or rest, can help.
Medication. ED medications (PDE5 inhibitor drugs), like sildenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil, can make a big difference. Another option is our chewable ED hard mints.
Counseling. A therapist or counsellor can help address psychological causes of ED, such as depression, relationship problems, or low self-esteem.
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Recovery From Finasteride ED: The Takeaway
Short on time? We feel ya.
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from finasteride erectile dysfunction recovery:
Finasteride ED is rare. It affected about 1.3 percent of men in FDA clinical trials. Most cases resolved naturally within a few months, even among guys who didn’t discontinue finasteride.
Persistent finasteride ED is uncommon. And it’s often linked to other factors such as age, concurrent medications (other drugs you might be taking), and underlying health conditions. Because ED is caused by many factors, sometimes several at once, it’s very difficult to isolate finasteride as its cause.
Always speak to a healthcare provider. This is especially crucial if you have any concerns about the safety of finasteride, are experiencing persistent sexual dysfunction or suicidal ideation, or feel like adverse events are impacting your quality of life. Your dermatologist might suggest putting you on a lower dose or trying a different medication, like dutasteride or minoxidil.
To learn more, check out our post on what medications cause ED, and explore the link between ED and hair loss (TL;DR: they’re distant cousins at best).
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.