Men can now pop a pill to cure their baldness. The catch? It may also wreck their sex life
Men experiencing hair loss now have access to finasteride, a pill that can effectively slow or reverse balding, but it comes with potential side effects including sexual dysfunction. The drug has gained popularity among young men concerned about early signs of hair loss, prompting increased self-scrutiny and anxiety about appearance. While effective for many, the risk of lasting sexual side effects has raised concerns among patients and doctors alike.
- ▪Finasteride is a medication that significantly slows hair loss and can stimulate new hair growth in most men.
- ▪The drug is commonly used by men in their 20s who show early signs of hair loss, such as a Norwood 2 or 3 hairline pattern.
- ▪Potential side effects of finasteride include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual health issues that may persist after stopping the drug.
- ▪Dermatologist O'Tar Norwood developed a widely used scale to classify male hair loss into seven stages.
- ▪Increased peer discussion in group chats and social awareness has driven more young men to consider medical interventions for hair loss.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-05-01T19:00:00Z","datePublished":"2026-05-01T19:00:00Z","description":"Follically challenged men can now pop a pill to cure their baldness. The catch? It may also wreck their sex life.","headline":"Men can now pop a pill to cure their baldness. The catch? It may also wreck their sex life","keywords":"Good Weekend, Hair, Medicine, Ageing","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Susan…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.