title: Evaluation of sexual function in subjects taking finasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our practical experience indicates that sexual side-effects in subjects taking finasteride 1 mg (Propecia) for androgenetic alopecia are much less common than reported in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the sexual function in subjects taking finasteride (1 mg) compared with age-matched controls using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).
  
  
  METHODS
  The IIEF, a brief, reliable questionnaire, was self-administered to 236 patients taking Propecia and 236 age-matched males attending the Department of Dermatology of the University of Bologna.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed no differences between scores obtained with the IIEF in subjects taking finasteride and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sexual and erectile function of subjects taking finasteride does not significantly differ from that of age-matched controls. This is consistent with the experience of many dermatologists who do not see sexual or erectile dysfunction in patients taking Propecia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Italy. tosti@almadns.unibo.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosti
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Piraccini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000505:Alopecia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018120:Finasteride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D018120:Finasteride