Thousands of men take finasteride to combat thinning hair—but growing concerns among medical experts and patients alike suggest the drug’s risks may outweigh its cosmetic benefits.
Robb Dixon, a 33-year-old music producer from Hampshire, is one of many men who say they’ve experienced devastating long-term side-effects after taking finasteride, including erectile dysfunction, anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue.
“I wanted more hair but paid with my health—it’s as simple as that,” says Dixon, who took the drug for six months after noticing early signs of hair loss in his 20s. “I wish I’d never taken it.”
Finasteride, originally developed to treat hormone-driven prostate enlargement, works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While DHT contributes to both prostate growth and male-pattern baldness, reducing its levels can slow or even reverse hair loss.
Though approved by the NHS for prostate treatment, finasteride is not sanctioned for hair loss, making its cosmetic use dependent on private prescriptions or online sales—something critics argue lacks proper oversight.
Dixon found the drug through an online service in 2016 and received it in the post days later. Within 24 hours of starting the daily pill, he noticed a severe drop in libido. Two weeks in, his sexual function had all but vanished.
After stopping the medication, the symptoms only intensified. Dixon began experiencing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, joint pain, vision issues, and neurological symptoms such as disassociation and chronic tinnitus. Despite multiple visits to doctors and specialists, no clear solution was found.
“I felt like my body was shutting down,” Dixon says. “No one knew what was happening to me. I lost strength, my muscles felt spongy, and my digestive system went haywire.”
His case is one of many prompting experts to demand clearer warnings. A 2020 Baylor University study found nearly 70% of men in a small sample group reported genital shrinkage after using finasteride. Other documented issues include post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), a poorly understood condition where sexual and psychological side-effects persist long after stopping the drug.
In response to mounting reports, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) added warnings in April 2024 about depression, suicidal thoughts, and sexual dysfunction to the finasteride patient leaflet. A new “patient alert card” is now included in medication packs.
However, critics like Professor David Healy, a retired psychiatrist and author of Pharmageddon, argue these measures are too little, too late. “We’ve known about these risks for decades,” he says. “There’s still no treatment for the long-term sexual dysfunction some men experience after taking finasteride.”
Pharmacist Thorrunn Govind urges health professionals to screen patients for mental health history and to ensure friends or family are aware of the medication due to the risk of unnoticed mood changes.
Despite warnings, online access to the drug remains easy. Professor Healy calls for mandatory patient disclosures and stronger controls on digital prescriptions. “People must be made fully aware of what they’re risking,” he says.
Hair health advice from trichologist Steve O’Brien echoes that sentiment. “We don’t recommend finasteride due to the seriousness of potential side-effects. There are safer, natural alternatives that support hair health without compromising overall well-being.”
Dixon has since co-founded the charity SIDEfxHUB to raise awareness of medication-induced side-effects, including post-finasteride and post-SSRI syndromes. His hair loss has stabilized naturally, and though he still suffers from residual effects, his message is clear:
“No man should risk his health for thicker hair. Hair health tips should never come at such a cost. Accepting hair loss is far better than gambling with your life.”
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