33 citations
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January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
32 citations
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April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs” Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, improving growth and density.
21 citations
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January 2010 in “JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE” Abietic acid from pine resin can effectively inhibit testosterone 5α-reductase.
19 citations
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April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
17 citations
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October 2003 in “Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research” The gene SDR5A1 is found in scalp hair of both hirsute and normal individuals, but it does not explain differences in hair growth.
5 citations
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July 2021 in “Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism” Glioblastoma cells can make androgens, which might help the tumor grow.
5 citations
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May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors might worsen lung recovery in COVID-19 patients, suggesting a pause in their use.
4 citations
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September 2010 in “Medical Hypotheses”
3 citations
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March 2018 in “European Urology Supplements” Using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may improve bladder cancer survival in men.
2 citations
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May 2019 in “PubMed” Oral finasteride and dutasteride may negatively affect erectile function in rats.
1 citations
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September 2016 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may cause sexual side effects, breast complications, and other health risks in men with hair loss.
December 2025 in “International Neurourology Journal” Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors don't significantly increase dementia risk.
June 2023 in “International journal of pharmaceutical quality assurance” Eclipta alba extract could be a promising natural treatment for hair loss.
81 citations
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July 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Certain mutations in the H6PD gene cause Cortisone Reductase Deficiency by affecting hormone production.
35 citations
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April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors slightly increase the risk of sexual and mood side effects, and breast growth in men.
19 citations
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January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology” Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.
44 citations
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January 2007 in “Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin” Black pepper leaf extract contains compounds that can block testosterone effects and promote hair growth.
February 2025 in “Global Academic Journal of Pharmacy and Drug Research” Beetroot extract may help treat hair loss naturally with fewer side effects.
7 citations
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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.
3 citations
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February 2021 in “Molecules” A new method was created to test the effectiveness of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, in human and fish cells. The results showed fish cells are more sensitive to these treatments, and dutasteride works better than finasteride in all tested cells.
44 citations
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July 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” We need to learn more about 5α-reductases and neuroactive steroids to safely make drugs targeting these enzymes.
13 citations
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August 1997 in “Steroids” Finasteride effectively lowers specific hormone levels, helping monitor treatment progress.
35 citations
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May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” The exact cause of increased 5α-reductase activity leading to hirsutism in women is still unknown.
28 citations
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May 2018 in “Scientific reports” Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and hormone regulation in PCOS rats.
January 2020 in “Nihon Yakuri Gakkai nenkai yoshishu” Reducing 5α-reductase activity helps endometrial cells differentiate, aiding pregnancy.
63 citations
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November 1999 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Hair sensitivity to androgens is partly controlled by specific enzyme expressions in different hair areas.
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January 1986 in “The Prostate” The document suggests that targeting the hormone DHT could be a more effective treatment for prostate cancer than targeting testosterone.
27 citations
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February 2017 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” White wax and policosanol from white wax effectively reduced hair loss and promoted hair growth in mice better than a known hair growth drug.
24 citations
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May 2015 in “Schizophrenia Research” A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
24 citations
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June 2011 in “Andrologia” Ganoderma lucidum may help treat enlarged prostate in rats.