Does finasteride cause erectile dysfunction?

In roughly 1 to 2 percent of men, yes, along with a similar rate of decreased libido and some reports of reduced ejaculate volume. Most men don't experience these effects. If you already have baseline sexual dysfunction, tell your provider before starting, since that history factors into whether finasteride is clinically appropriate for you.

What happens if I stop taking finasteride?

Its effects reverse. DHT levels return to their prior baseline and, over three to six months, hair loss tends to resume its earlier pattern. Any regrowth finasteride helped produce is not permanent once treatment stops, which is why most people who respond well stay on it continuously.

Concentration: 1mg
Purity: Provider reviewed
Unit: 90-day supply
Category: Hair

Hair

Finasteride 1mg

Q: Can women take finasteride?

Not if there's any chance of pregnancy. Finasteride is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy because of the risk of serious harm to a developing male fetus, so it should never be handled by anyone who is or may become pregnant. This is why finasteride is prescribed specifically for male pattern hair loss.

Your once-daily defense against DHT.

The only oral medication FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss, taken once a day. A board-certified physician reviews your file and confirms it's clinically appropriate for you.

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Cadence

Finasteride 1mg$67 billed every 3 months

Only available if prescribed after an online consultation with a licensed provider.

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✓Medication and supplies
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How it works

Finasteride blocks type II 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the hormone most responsible for shrinking hair follicles in male pattern hair loss. At 1mg daily, it lowers serum DHT by roughly 70 percent and scalp DHT by around 90 percent, which is what slows or reverses the follicle miniaturization behind thinning hair. It's a systemic effect, working through your bloodstream rather than on the scalp surface alone.

What to expect

Finasteride works gradually. Most people need three to six months before they notice a change, with results continuing to build toward a peak around nine to twelve months. Some people experience temporary shedding between weeks two and twelve, which is a normal part of the hair cycle resetting and not a sign the medication has failed. In the pivotal one-year trial, 86 percent of men maintained or gained hair, compared with 58 percent on placebo, with gains continuing for some out to five years of continuous use. Stopping finasteride reverses its effects within three to six months.

✓The only oral medication your provider can prescribe with FDA approval for this
✓Cuts DHT throughout your system by about 70 percent, and at your scalp by about 90 percent
✓In the pivotal trial, 86 percent of men held onto or gained hair at one year, versus 58 percent on placebo
✓A low-cost generic your provider can pair with minoxidil for a stronger response

Safety information

Finasteride is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy; it's teratogenic, meaning it can cause serious harm to a developing male fetus, so it should never be handled by anyone who is or may become pregnant. Reported side effects include decreased libido or erectile difficulty in roughly 1 to 2 percent of men, along with decreased ejaculate volume and, rarely, breast tissue changes. Your provider will also ask about a history of prostate cancer, since finasteride lowers PSA levels and can affect how that marker is interpreted going forward. Finasteride does not guarantee regrowth for everyone: roughly 30 to 50 percent of men see meaningful new growth, with most others seeing their existing hair maintained rather than lost. If your provider decides finasteride isn't clinically appropriate for you, you won't be charged for the medication.

Frequently asked questions

Most people need three to six months before noticing a difference, with results continuing to build toward a peak around nine to twelve months of continuous use. Some temporary shedding between weeks two and twelve is normal and not a sign the medication isn't working. Stopping finasteride reverses its effects within three to six months.

Compounded medications are prepared by a US-licensed pharmacy and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. Products are dispensed only after a licensed provider determines they are appropriate. Information here is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.