46 citations
,
March 2001 in “Journal of endocrinological investigation” 5α-reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, effectively treat BPH, male baldness, and hirsutism, with potential for acne and prostate cancer prevention.
34 citations
,
February 1993 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology” Certain 4-azasteroids are effective at blocking the enzyme that processes testosterone in human skin and could help treat acne, excessive hair growth, and male pattern baldness.
31 citations
,
January 2017 in “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” Low testosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors can harm men's metabolic and sexual health; testosterone therapy may help, but discussing 5α-RIs' side effects is important.
29 citations
,
April 2019 in “BMJ. British medical journal” Men taking dutasteride or finasteride have a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
23 citations
,
July 1993 in “Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and baldness, but may cause limited urinary improvement and sex-related side effects.
21 citations
,
January 2020 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Lack or blocking of SRD5a, a key component in hormone creation, can lead to conditions like pseudohermaphrodism and affect hair growth, bone mass, muscle strength, and reproductive health. More research is needed on its regulation from fertilization to adulthood.
12 citations
,
April 2018 in “Physiology & Behavior” Finasteride raises suicide-linked aggression and stops clozapine's positive effects in schizophrenia animals.
8 citations
,
June 2020 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Taking 5α-reductase inhibitors with prednisolone can worsen its negative effects on metabolism.
7 citations
,
January 2018 in “Reproduction” Inhibiting 5α-reductase increases progesterone levels in late pregnant mares.
7 citations
,
April 2015 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Finasteride negatively affects fish reproduction and gonadal development.
5 citations
,
July 2021 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” Completing a 14-day proxalutamide treatment significantly lowers death rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
5 citations
,
August 2018 in “Sexual Medicine Reviews” 5α-Reductase inhibitors do not consistently increase testosterone levels in the blood.
40 citations
,
July 2015 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry” Cysteine helps maintain keratin production in skin cells even when iron is low.
25 citations
,
June 2013 in “Obesity Reviews” Mesotherapy might help reduce fat in specific areas for those close to their ideal weight, but more research and care are needed to ensure safety.
14 citations
,
March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research” Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.
13 citations
,
January 2020 in “Neuroscience” Blocking 5α-reductase can harm memory and brain structure, and increase harmful brain changes in male mice used for Alzheimer's disease research.
3 citations
,
January 2018 in “Reproduction, Fertility and Development” Birth control pills increase certain receptor activities in female gerbil prostate glands and can lead to prostate changes.
December 2025 in “Cureus” Topical treatments like AHAs, BHAs, and urea may help keratosis pilaris, but evidence is limited.
January 2023 in “Annals of Dermatology” Patients with a specific genetic variant have more severe alopecia areata and higher recurrence rates.
92 citations
,
June 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dutasteride 0.5 mg daily improves hair growth safely in men with hair loss.
223 citations
,
December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
215 citations
,
November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.
66 citations
,
June 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Finasteride and dutasteride effectively treat hair loss, but may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and depression.
58 citations
,
January 2006 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” High levels of testosterone and 5α-DHT can lead to cell death in cells important for hair growth.
45 citations
,
August 2010 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Type 3 5α-reductase is more common and finasteride and dutasteride strongly inhibit it.
40 citations
,
March 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Young girls whose mothers have PCOS may have higher activity of a specific enzyme that could lead to developing PCOS later.
39 citations
,
April 2007 in “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring” Finasteride affects urinary steroid profiles and can potentially hide steroid abuse in sports drug testing.
33 citations
,
April 2015 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity” 5α reductase inhibitors treat hair loss but may cause sexual side effects and risks.
32 citations
,
April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs” Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, improving growth and density.
22 citations
,
March 2012 in “Molecular Medicine Reports” DHT affects hair follicle cells by changing microRNA levels, leading to less cell growth and more cell death.