Finasteride and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I took this drug for only 4 days in May 2019. I had mild hair thinning and went to a dermatologist who recommended it. I had done research beforehand and knew about finasteride already, and how for some men the drug could have serious side effects, but decided to listen to a doctor who assured me it was safe. It’s not, and I had to learn the hard way. This poison has completely ruined my life. I’ve completely lost my sleep and have total insomnia, no libido, ED, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, penile tissue changes, muscle wastage, and weakness... The list goes on. I’m not making this up, this drug should be avoided. I’m 23 years old, I was healthy before I took this. There is no reason to believe this drug won’t mess your life up. Please avoid it. I don’t even feel like the same person and regret my decision every single day and am having trouble adjusting to this new life. I hate myself for taking this risk."

• Bob...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 14, 2020

Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia "If you want a full head of hair, then go for it. That full head of hair will, of course, help you with the ladies. However, once you get a lady, you will be up the creek without a paddle because your old John Thomas will not work. I took Propecia for 8 years. The side effects came on slowly and I ignored them at my peril, choosing vanity over health and happiness. I still have fatigue, anxiety, and issues with the old meat and two veg. Avoid this drug at all costs, buy a razor or trimmer and shave your head."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2020

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Let me start off by saying that I realize everyone has different reactions to drugs, but here is my experience. I used generic finasteride for 6 weeks, and although it helped my hair, the side effects were unbearable. This drug is straight poison to my body. I have extreme brain fog and memory issues, zero sex drive, numb penis, low semen volume, softer erections, smaller penis and testicles overall, very bad depression and anxiety. I genuinely feel like this stuff has caused brain damage that hopefully will reverse itself. I’m still suffering side effects even after being off it for 3 weeks."

• Asd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2023

For Androgenetic Alopecia "I took 1 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Yes, I did notice a slight change around my hairline. However, that’s where the positive ends. I am 24 and have had a receding hairline due to stress. Slowly but surely, I began to get anxious, and I was unable to think and study for my classes. This caused me to go into a full-on downward spiral, and I went into panic mode. I had nightmares each night and would wake up in the morning with my heart racing and my breathing heavy. I’d wake up, eat, and have coffee as usual. Boom, full-blown panic attack. Then I took my prescribed Propranolol, and the racing heart would go away, but what was left was a broken, lost, depressed, suicidal shell of who I formerly was. I had to get a doctor's excuse to miss exams that week. I finally realized it was the finasteride, and I quickly stopped it per two of my doctor’s opinions. Even after stopping, I have continued to be depressed and have suicidal ideation. Getting better."

• tea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2023

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Currently noticing slight hair loss at 28 years old and decided to give this a go, but I cannot stress enough to not touch this, especially for young guys. Your body will be naturally producing high levels of test and DHT to alter these levels more than likely will cause really bad side effects. I personally had to stop after a few months. I experienced a really low, flat feeling like something was always missing and nearly went on antidepressants because I thought it was me and not the drug. It really heightened anxiety and a lot of anger and agitation at everything. I noticed I've went from 7'9" erect to 6'4" erect, and I struggle now to maintain the erection. It can disappear extremely fast and ultimately lose it all, which was never an issue before, but I also have a lot of clear, watery semen. I also pee a lot like I can't fully empty the bladder, always frequently going. Thankfully, this drastically improved after stopping, but I still don't feel 100% where I was before."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 30, 2022

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Prescribed in 2019 for prostate. I took it without researching out of desperation. Fast forward to 2022. I have been on a downward trend, self-admitted to the hospital for a week on the beach, depression, anxiety off the charts, every day was a push. Hard to smile, could barely get hard at all, didn't care about caring. Hair has been growing in thick. Off this stuff for a month, keep the hair, give me back my life and joy, and undo all the damage to me. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. More than likely, the people pushing it aren't taking it. No different from corner drug dealers! OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN."

• vet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 24, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "This drug is bad! It is given by the Veterans Administration for enlarged prostate. VA doctors, including urologists, have been incompetent and derelict in failing to warn veterans about the side effects of the drug and its dangers. They also fail to give hormone blood tests before taking and after taking for testosterone and other hormones to get a baseline. This drug has messed me up and millions of veterans who have enlarged prostate with no recognition nor treatment from the Veterans Administration or its urologists/doctors. VA doctors will tell you a fat lie that Post-Finasteride Syndrome doesn't exist, as all the symptomology goes away once you cease the drug. This drug has caused our veterans total impotence, shrinkage of the penis and genitals, enlarged breasts, brain fog, anxiety, depression, severe memory loss, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleeplessness, suicidal ideation, and suicide."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2021

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Wow! I never believed the people who got PFS. Now I do, I took just half a pill a week ago. The night I took it, my penis had shrunk a bit, got an intense brain fog (which I still have today), couldn’t get hard (I was basically impotent), and semen was watery. The next day, I lost interest in sex, motivation hit rock bottom, joint pain in legs, and I had extreme anxiety and lots more symptoms. I quit immediately. So... this stuff is dangerous/poisonous for a few! If you want to risk chemical castration, then go for it. After half a pill a week ago, I still have fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, small joint pain, and a lowered sexual interest. Which has gotten better each day after HALF A PILL, A WEEK AGO."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2017

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Was prescribed Propecia upon seeking hair loss counseling at a hair loss clinic. My dosage was set at 1/2 mg a day (age 19-21, now 28). Positive effect: receding crown line reduced. Negatives: significant increase in irregular ejaculation, sex drive, attention, mood, anxiety. Conducted my own research into the drug and quickly ceased taking it. I then experienced further deterioration of sex drive, erection problems, and anxiety, which took approximately 1.5 years to balance back out (with regular exercise and healthy dieting). IMO, this drug is effective for men 45+ whose testosterone levels have naturally decreased, therefore experience fewer side effects. HEALTHY SOLUTION: FUT transplants coupled with blood plasma scalp injections!!"

• Wac...
• March 26, 2016

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Took one pill. Maybe it was a placebo effect, but most likely not, as it decreased my libido, trouble getting an erection for a few days. Worst symptom was depression and anxiety, which made it all worse. I am 23. I have recovered, but if you value your life, please don't take this medicine. Use every technique in the book to cover up your hair loss and accept it to some degree. Try hot oil treatments or Regaine. Just stay away from this poison. Watch YouTube reviews on this drug. Some people even took just one pill like myself."

• Gar...
• April 19, 2017

For Androgenetic Alopecia "DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. I started this drug mid-January 2016 - March 2016. I've had depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, thoughts of suicide, headaches. I got better by September 2016, but my body crashed again in October (another common side effect from this drug). I got better by Christmas, but since February 2016 I've gone downhill. Please don't take this, use topical or have a hair transplant."

• ehs...
• March 20, 2016

For Androgenetic Alopecia "Taking this drug was the biggest mistake of my life. This drug destroyed my life. I was on this drug for a total of 30 days. I have permanent ED, anxiety, and muscular dystrophy as the result of taking this drug. Be wise and never touch this drug. Even one pill can destroy your life. It doesn't worth it at all."

• Gun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "8 days on 5 mg finasteride for BPH. Anxiety, weird depression, extreme difficulty falling asleep. I'm off of this stuff now. Glad I didn't stay on it longer. I just want this stuff out of my system."