Can finasteride cause depression or anxiety?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Finasteride has been linked to depression, anxiety, and mood changes in some users. Research suggests these mental health side effects may occur both during use and after stopping the medication. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, visit https://988lifeline.org/ for immediate support.

Understanding whether your symptoms are related to finasteride or another cause is an important first step. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you assess what you're experiencing, identify possible causes, and guide your next steps—so you can have a more informed conversation with your doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if finasteride affects your mood Discover likely causes of depression or anxiety See if symptoms need urgent care Find OTC options for anxiety relief Find a doctor for medication side effects Discover home remedies for mood symptoms Understand if finasteride could explain symptoms

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Explanation

Finasteride is a medication often used to treat hair loss and prostate issues. However, some studies suggest that it might be linked to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Reference 1 discusses the potential risk of depression associated with finasteride treatment, indicating that some users may experience mood changes.
Reference 2 highlights cases where former users of finasteride reported depressive symptoms and even suicidal thoughts.
Reference 3 talks about post-finasteride syndrome, which includes psychological effects such as depression and anxiety.

While not everyone will experience these side effects, it is important to be aware of them. If you are taking finasteride and notice changes in your mood, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional. You can also use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify and understand any symptoms you may be experiencing.

(References)

Pompili M, Magistri C, Maddalena S, Mellini C, Persechino S, & Baldessarini RJ. (2021). Risk of Depression Associated With Finasteride Treatment. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 33814544.
Irwig MS. (2012). Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among former .... The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 22939118.
Traish AM. (2020). Post-finasteride syndrome: a surmountable challenge for .... Fertility and sterility, 32033719.

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