6 citations
,
January 2018 in “Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety” Starting 5-alpha reductase inhibitors does not significantly increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis in older men, but is linked to a higher risk of muscle conditions.
47 citations
,
June 2009 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Finasteride helps treat hair loss and prostate enlargement by blocking a specific enzyme.
44 citations
,
January 2007 in “Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin” Black pepper leaf extract contains compounds that can block testosterone effects and promote hair growth.
39 citations
,
April 2018 in “Hormones” No consistent link between genotype and phenotype in 5-α-Reductase type 2 deficiency.
35 citations
,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
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.
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.
15 citations
,
January 2017 in “Experimental Neurology” Finasteride reduces movement issues in Parkinson's disease rats.
5 citations
,
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
,
December 2019 in “Minerva Urology and Nephrology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may reduce bladder cancer recurrence and improve survival.
2 citations
,
May 2019 in “PubMed” Oral finasteride and dutasteride may negatively affect erectile function in rats.
2 citations
,
January 2017 in “Annals of Dermatology” Taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors does not increase breast cancer risk in men.
1 citations
,
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.
January 2026 in “Yonsei Medical Journal” Finasteride and dutasteride have little effect on Type 2 Diabetes risk.
December 2025 in “International Neurourology Journal” Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors don't significantly increase dementia risk.
35 citations
,
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.
14 citations
,
April 2021 in “Biology” Thai rice bran extracts, especially from Tubtim Chumphae rice, can significantly reduce the activity of hair loss genes, with x-tocopherol showing potential as an anti-hair loss product.
8 citations
,
February 2010 in “Journal of Dermatology” A topical treatment safely and effectively reduced acne by causing targeted cell death in sebaceous glands without side effects.
50 citations
,
August 1985 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry” Spironolactone reduces the enzyme activity that converts testosterone to DHT, helping treat excessive hair growth in women.
19 citations
,
January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology” Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.
4 citations
,
June 2015 in “Journal of Genetics/Journal of genetics” Genetic differences within ethnic groups may affect prostate cancer treatment effectiveness.
3 citations
,
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.
4 citations
,
September 2010 in “Medical Hypotheses”
14 citations
,
October 2018 in “PloS one” Deleting the Far2 gene in mice causes sebaceous gland issues and patchy hair loss.
44 citations
,
July 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” We need to learn more about 5α-reductases and neuroactive steroids to safely make drugs targeting these enzymes.
November 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” Enzymes called 5α-reductases have many body functions and need more research to safely use inhibitors.
February 2026 in “NeuroSci” Finasteride and dutasteride may cause depression and anxiety, especially in younger men.
24 citations
,
February 2012 in “Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases” 5α-reductase inhibitors help shrink the prostate, improve urinary symptoms, and may reduce prostate cancer risk.
10 citations
,
December 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility” Women with acne have lower levels of a specific hormone marker than women without acne.
March 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The two lotions used day and night may be a good alternative to minoxidil for hair loss treatment with better cosmetic effects and tolerance.