269 citations
,
May 2002 in “Journal of Neuroscience” Stress increases neurosteroids that help prevent seizures.
9 citations
,
January 2009 in “PubMed” Finasteride treatment can decrease certain steroids and increase others, possibly leading to depression symptoms in some cases.
February 2026 in “NeuroSci” Finasteride and dutasteride may cause depression and anxiety, especially in younger men.
59 citations
,
November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Lower levels of certain brain chemicals are linked to worse PTSD symptoms in men.
11 citations
,
November 2021 in “International journal of molecular sciences” Gut microbes significantly affect brain steroid levels.
7 citations
,
January 2018 in “Reproduction” Inhibiting 5α-reductase increases progesterone levels in late pregnant mares.
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.
14 citations
,
March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research” Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.
75 citations
,
January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
72 citations
,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
30 citations
,
October 2020 in “Nature Communications” Finasteride irreversibly affects human steroid 5α-reductase 2, providing insight into its catalytic mechanism and disease-related mutations.
18 citations
,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
12 citations
,
April 2018 in “Physiology & Behavior” Finasteride raises suicide-linked aggression and stops clozapine's positive effects in schizophrenia animals.
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.
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.
1 citations
,
August 2015 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause serious and possibly lasting sexual and psychological side effects.
6 citations
,
July 2024 in “Heliyon” Steroid 5α-reductase evolved from protists and diversified in eukaryotes, with specific roles in mammals and plants.
111 citations
,
August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” 5α-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, needing more research on long-term effects.
21 citations
,
February 2005 in “Epilepsy & Behavior” Reducing 3α,5α-THP in the hippocampus increases seizures in female rats.
20 citations
,
January 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.
12 citations
,
June 2019 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Allopregnanolone is needed for certain brain processing issues caused by D1 dopamine receptor activation.
11 citations
,
February 2018 in “Archives of Pharmacal Research” Finasteride reduces melanin production, possibly treating hyperpigmentation and melanoma, but needs more safety research.
4 citations
,
June 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride doesn't affect ovulation in normal women.
24 citations
,
May 2015 in “Schizophrenia Research” A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
25 citations
,
June 2017 in “Scientific reports” Stress worsens Tourette symptoms by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
15 citations
,
June 2019 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” Isoallopregnanolone may be a safe and effective treatment for reducing tics in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome.
9 citations
,
March 1985 in “Head & Neck Surgery” Topical minoxidil is the most promising treatment for male pattern hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
1 citations
,
July 2018 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Post-finasteride Syndrome causes lasting negative effects, but more research is needed for treatment and risk evaluation.
March 2025 in “Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism” Rodent models of PCOS show some hormone changes similar to humans, but also have key differences.
8 citations
,
January 1987 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Flutamide, an antiandrogen, has minimal impact on female rat endocrine systems and does not significantly change their reproductive cycles.