January 2026 in “International Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Sciences” Topical 5% minoxidil is effective and safe for treating androgenetic alopecia, especially in younger patients with early-stage hair loss.
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.
171 citations
,
July 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” A substance called DKK-1 increases in balding areas and causes hair cells to die when exposed to DHT.
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.
35 citations
,
January 2014 in “Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii” DHT's role in hair loss is important, but measuring its level for diagnosis is questionable.
32 citations
,
February 2024 in “Growth Hormone & IGF Research” Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stops hair growth in mice by lowering a growth factor important for hair.
32 citations
,
April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs” Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, improving growth and density.
29 citations
,
April 2019 in “BMJ. British medical journal” Men taking dutasteride or finasteride have a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
18 citations
,
April 2011 in “International Journal of Molecular Medicine” Dihydrotestosterone causes p27 protein breakdown in ovarian and breast cancer cells by binding with SKP2.
16 citations
,
August 2014 in “Archives of Pharmacal Research” Special nanoparticles increased skin absorption of hair loss treatments with fewer side effects.
12 citations
,
February 2016 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” Sulforaphane may help with hair growth by breaking down a hormone that causes hair loss.
7 citations
,
January 2018 in “Reproduction” Inhibiting 5α-reductase increases progesterone levels in late pregnant mares.
5 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Higher DHT levels are linked to fewer hypogonadism symptoms in men with normal testosterone levels.
4 citations
,
July 2015 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Two types of 5α-reductase are in dog skin, which might make dutasteride better than finasteride for treating dog hair loss.
October 2024 in “International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research” A 5% minoxidil spray could effectively treat male baldness with fewer side effects and better patient comfort.
July 2022 in “International Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS) (En línea)” Men with Type 2 Diabetes have lower DHT levels, which may affect fertility and lipid profiles.
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.
7 citations
,
April 2019 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” 11α-Hydroxyprogesterone is changed into different substances by certain enzymes and may play a role in prostate cancer.
1 citations
,
January 2009 in “X-ray Structure Analysis Online” A new compound was made that might help treat diseases related to male hormones.
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.
1 citations
,
August 2015 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause serious and possibly lasting sexual and psychological side effects.
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.
75 citations
,
November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with idiopathic hirsutism, but requires careful contraception during treatment.
66 citations
,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
51 citations
,
October 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” Low-dose finasteride effectively treats hirsutism, is safe, and cost-effective.
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.
28 citations
,
January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology” Finasteride temporarily lowers male rat fertility without affecting libido.
10 citations
,
August 2020 in “International Journal of Andrology” 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride may not be effective or safe for transgender individuals, and more research is needed.