Side Effects of Finasteride: What to expect when using it

Finasteride is one of the most effective ways to reduce hair fall in men. Research shows that Finasteride, when taken daily, is very effective in reducing up to 60% of DHT levels in men.

Finasteride is known to be mostly safe with little side effects for most men taking it. However, side effects can occur with the consumption of Finasteride.

DHT is one of the most common reasons for hair loss (male pattern baldness) in men and we have written extensively on Finasteride’s effectiveness on hair loss here.

In this article, we want to focus on two important questions on Finasteride that users often ask us:

What are the side effects when taking Finasteride?
What are the side effects when I stop taking Finasteride?

Finasteride comes with side effects, although very rarely

Finasteride is known to affect a very small portion of men by reducing their sex drive, libido or ejaculation.

According to the FDA, it is claimed that sexual dysfunction is an identified side effect in a very small proportion of men. Moreover, for most of these cases, the effects are reversible when the user stops taking Finasteride.

However, it’s important to note that if you are facing any of these effects while taking Finasteride, you should stop taking it immediately and see your doctor. A doctor will be best suited to advise you on how to proceed.

Finasteride only works when you are taking it

Finasteride stays in your system for 5-6 hours usually, and then is flushed out of your system. What this means is that you need to be constantly taking Finasteride for it to be blocking the DHT in your body for it to work.

Unfortunately, many men with male pattern baldness see their hair fall increase when they stop taking Finasteride. This is because the DHT levels in their body rise, causing them to be prone to the effects of male pattern baldness.

This also means that the hair that grew back because of Finasteride will start falling off. It is imperative to stay on the Finasteride regimen to maintain hair growth.

Instead of reducing Finasteride intake altogether, it maybe more advisable to reduce the dosage to once every other day so that DHT blockers are still active in your body intermittently.

Are there side effects apart from hair fall if I stop taking Finasteride?

Little, to none. According to the FDA, Finasteride is known to have almost no side effects if you stop taking it once you’re on the regimen apart from the loss of grown hair.

Your body will go back to it’s usual DHT production without Finasteride.

Also, If you were experiencing side effects because you were taking Finasteride, you will most likely stop experiencing those side effects when you do not use it. If the side effects continue, ensure you see a doctor.

Does Finasteride cause memory problems and anxiety?

This is a common topic that is spoken about on the internet. Finasteride has shown to affect a very tiny portion of users by affecting their focus, cognitive ability, mood and memory, however this is extremely rare and the effects wear off on the stoppage of Finasteride.

How to reduce side effects of Finasteride?

The side effects of Finasteride for those who face it may or may not be reduced depending on the nature of it. It is best when experiencing any negative effects to stop usage of Finasteride and consult a doctor first. Your doctor will be able to give you the best advice on how to proceed further.