What are the side effects of taking finasteride?
A. A percentage of male patients taking finasteride report decreased libido. Although Merck claims that the number of patients who experience decreased libido is less than 3-4%, we have found that the incidence of side effects is considerably higher. About 1 or 2 percent of men report relative impotence. There have also been reports of an “ache in the groin area” by a small number of male patients. The symptoms disappear when the medication is discontinued. Even if the patient continues to take the finasteride, the symptoms usually resolve themselves for most patients.
