Several members of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) have argued that persistent adverse effects of finasteride are improbable or invalid. The Society’s journal, Hair Transplant Forum International, has published numerous articles on the topic (the journal is not peer-reviewed). Subscriptions are limited to ISHRS members, but full text of some articles is available.
ISHRS members have broadcast their views on the safety of finasteride elsewhere. Dr. Sara Wasserbauer has published a video on finasteride and suicide here. The video expresses skepticism that finasteride was the cause of suicides. The article by Robert Haber et al., also published in another journal (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol), concluded: “The use of finasteride does not result in sexual dysfunction in men with AGA [male pattern hair loss].” A 2021 blog post from Dr. Russell Knudsen’s clinic states that the safety of finasteride was recently confirmed at a conference. Dr. William Rassman has actively promoted his services on the reddit tressless, and written numerous articles on finasteride on his blog.
Articles
Hair Transplant Forum International is not a peer-reviewed medical journal. A more complete bibliography of finasteride-related articles in this journal is here.
Epstein ES. Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) Update: Point/Counterpoint. Hair Transplant Forum International. 2016 Jan;26(1):1-6. doi:10.33589/26.1.0001 | Full text
Haber RS, Gupta AK, Epstein ES, Carviel JL, Foley KA. Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia Is Not Associated with Sexual Dysfunction: A Survey-Based, Single-Centre, Controlled Study. Hair Transplant Forum International. 2019 May;29(3):89-96. doi:10.33589/29.3.89. (Also published in J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. doi:10.1111/jdv.15548)
Knudsen RG. Controvsies [sic]: Persistent Side-Effects After Use of 1mg Finasteride: What Is the Evidence? Hair Transplant Forum International. 2016 May;26(3):112-113. doi:10.33589/26.3.0112
Rogers NE. Literature Review: Topical Finasteride: To Use or Not to Use? Hair Transplant Forum International. 2018 May;28(3):112. doi:10.33589/28.3.0112 | Full text
Rogers NE. Literature Review: PFS: Is it real or imagined? Hair Transplant Forum International. 2017 May;27(3):104. doi:10.33589/27.3.0104
Stough, DB. Notes from the Editor Emeritus: Coincidental Epigenetics or Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)? Hair Transplant Forum International. 2016 Nov;26(6):246. doi:10.33589/26.6.0246 | Full text
Unger R. Cyberspace Chat. Finasteride and Dutasteride for Use in Androgenetic Alopecia—and the Side Effects So Many Patients Worry About. Hair Transplant Forum International. 2019 Mar;29(2):68-71. doi:10.33589/29.2.68
Wasserbauer S. Hair’s the Question. Hair Transplant Forum International. 2021 Mar;31(2):64-67. doi:10.33589/31.2.64
See also: Articles in Hair Transplant Forum International (a more complete bibliography)