December 2025 in “Cureus” Using 5α-reductase inhibitors for hair loss may increase the risk of dry eye disease.
September 2025 in “Consilium Medicum” 5α-reductase inhibitors help manage symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and may also prevent prostate cancer and treat hair loss.
August 2024 in “Research Square (Research Square)” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may lower the risk of breast cancer in females.
July 2024 in “Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Licorice extract helps hair growth and may treat hair loss.
January 2020 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Using 5α-reductase inhibitors for hair loss can cause lasting sexual, physical, mental, and vascular health issues in men, even after stopping the medication.
September 1998 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Topical 5α-reductase inhibitor helps counteract hair loss and stabilize it.
41 citations
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March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
8 citations
,
June 1995 in “Helvetica Chimica Acta” Compound 15a was effective in inhibiting 5α-reductase.
142 citations
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August 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.
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.
47 citations
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January 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” High testosterone to epitestosterone ratio in hair could predict male-pattern baldness.
38 citations
,
January 2002 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Lygodii Spora extract may help treat hair loss by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and promoting hair growth.
34 citations
,
February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.
34 citations
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February 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride and minoxidil together promote hair growth better than either alone.
22 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Some new progesterone derivatives are better at blocking testosterone conversion than a common drug.
20 citations
,
May 2018 in “The Journal of Urology” Men taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors before or after bladder cancer diagnosis had a lower risk of dying from the disease.
17 citations
,
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.
10 citations
,
October 2010 in “International Journal of Andrology” Finasteride doesn't affect oral testosterone undecanoate, and high DHT levels may cause acne, prostate issues, and hair loss.
6 citations
,
April 2017 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Chinese medicine may help treat hair loss by affecting genes and enzyme activity.
June 2023 in “International journal of pharmaceutical quality assurance” Eclipta alba extract could be a promising natural treatment for hair loss.
October 2010 in “Journal of Men's Health” Some patients may experience lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects from 5α-reductase inhibitor therapy.
January 2008 in “The Year book of endocrinology” Gene variant linked to prostate cancer, hormone levels, and hair loss.
10 citations
,
May 2019 in “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” Finasteride may cause kidney damage.
88 citations
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January 2004 in “Journal of Neuroscience” Neurosteroids regulate synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord and may help manage spinal pain.
47 citations
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June 2009 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Finasteride helps treat hair loss and prostate enlargement by blocking a specific enzyme.
33 citations
,
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.
19 citations
,
April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
8 citations
,
July 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” DHT affects testicular development and regulates spermatogenesis in some fish.
3 citations
,
March 2018 in “European Urology Supplements” Using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may improve bladder cancer survival in men.
2 citations
,
May 2019 in “PubMed” Oral finasteride and dutasteride may negatively affect erectile function in rats.