37 citations
,
April 2008 in “The Cochrane library” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can lower prostate cancer risk but may increase high-grade tumors and cause sexual side effects.
6 citations
,
September 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitors do not increase breast cancer or benign breast disorder risk in women.
January 2026 in “Open Science Framework” Oral and topical 5-alpha reductase inhibitors affect DHT levels and hair density differently in treating hair loss.
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.
27 citations
,
February 2005 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry” Male cells need DHT to respond to testosterone, while female cells do not.
December 2025 in “Instituto Politécnico do Porto” Patients with mood disorders using 5α-reductase inhibitors may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts.
1 citations
,
July 2022 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Dutasteride may help protect neurons and reduce inflammation in Parkinson's disease.
13 citations
,
June 2017 in “Biochimie open” All five human steroid 5α-reductase enzymes are found in the endoplasmic reticulum.
6 citations
,
July 2024 in “Heliyon” Steroid 5α-reductase evolved from protists and diversified in eukaryotes, with specific roles in mammals and plants.
Eriocitrin and silymarin might be effective for hair loss treatment and need more research.
January 2026 in “Applied Biological Chemistry” Ishophloroglucin A from Ishige okamurae may be a natural alternative for treating hair loss by inhibiting 5α-reductase and promoting hair growth.
3 citations
,
June 2017 in “Reproductive biomedicine online” A certain mutation in the fetal alpha 5-reductase gene is linked to a higher risk of late miscarriage.
July 2026 in “Postgraduate Medicine” Finasteride for hair loss often causes depression, with risks outweighing benefits.
7 citations
,
February 2020 in “Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry”
research Acne
81 citations
,
January 2002 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Hormonal treatments can help with acne, especially in women, by lowering androgen levels or blocking their effects.
34 citations
,
December 2015 in “Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews” Some hormone-related drugs may protect brain cells in Parkinson's disease differently in men and women.
64 citations
,
March 2006 in “Food Chemistry” The triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum can block testosterone effects and may help treat enlarged prostate.
20 citations
,
February 2009 in “Chemistry & Biodiversity” Ganoderma lucidum may help treat prostate cancer by blocking male hormones and slowing cancer cell growth.
2 citations
,
March 2012 in “JAMA” Early surgery reduces seizure risk in drug-resistant epilepsy; testosterone to DHT conversion doesn't affect muscle anabolism; veterans with PTSD likely to have riskier opioid use; bevacizumab helps in hereditary bleeding disorder.
February 2026 in “NeuroSci” Finasteride and dutasteride may cause depression and anxiety, especially in younger men.
June 2023 in “Journal of Natural Remedies” Hibiscus rosa sinensis may help manage hair loss.
September 2019 in “Reactions Weekly” Man experienced post-finasteride syndrome symptoms after using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss.
January 2006 in “The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology” Rubus coreanum may help hair growth but not through the tested mechanisms, and none of the herbal extracts help with acne.
64 citations
,
June 1995 in “Steroids” Inhibitors of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase could potentially treat disorders like prostate cancer and baldness.
14 citations
,
November 2006 in “Current Medicinal Chemistry” New treatments for enlarged prostate are being developed to be more effective and have fewer side effects.
11 citations
,
August 2020 in “Diabetes” Testosterone helps human pancreatic cells increase insulin release.
11 citations
,
February 2008 in “British journal of nursing” Idiopathic hirsutism causes excessive hair growth in women, can be treated with medication and hair removal, but cannot be fully reversed.
10 citations
,
December 1995 in “Journal of women's health” Finasteride reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism and works better with electrolysis.
May 2024 in “EAS Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology” Pomegranate peel compounds may help treat hair loss.
Treatments for hair loss vary, but cell-based options may be the future.