71 citations
,
November 2012 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual desire, sometimes lasting after stopping the drug.
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.
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.
8 citations
,
June 2020 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Taking 5α-reductase inhibitors with prednisolone can worsen its negative effects on metabolism.
2 citations
,
March 2018 in “Current Opinion in Urology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual, neurologic, endocrine, and cardiovascular side effects, but these are rare and usually stop after ending treatment.
29 citations
,
July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Rats had lasting erectile problems after stopping a certain medication.
22 citations
,
August 2014 in “Clinical endocrinology” Taking finasteride for benign prostate hyperplasia may increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially at higher doses.
19 citations
,
January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology” Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.
1 citations
,
April 2019 in “Clinical Breast Cancer” Medicines for enlarged prostate may raise the risk of breast growth and tenderness but not breast cancer.
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.
August 2024 in “Research Square (Research Square)” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may lower the risk of breast cancer in females.
70 citations
,
June 1993 in “Biochemistry” Finasteride slowly binds to 5-alpha-reductase, affecting enzyme stability and inhibitor potency.
17 citations
,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Chemistry” Compounds from the plant Mammea siamensis may help treat hair loss.
12 citations
,
January 2018 in “Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology” The new particle system could be a promising treatment for diseases related to the 5-α reductase enzyme.
10 citations
,
December 2020 in “Frontiers in Medicine” Men are more at risk for severe COVID-19 due to biological differences, suggesting the need for targeted treatments.
June 2025 in “Mağallaẗ ʻulūm al-rāfidayn” New pyrazole derivatives may help treat hair loss, but more testing is needed.
June 2023 in “International journal of pharmaceutical quality assurance” Eclipta alba extract could be a promising natural treatment for hair loss.
18 citations
,
November 2021 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” COVID-19 can cause various skin issues, like rashes and lesions, which are more common in younger patients and can be linked to more severe complications.
16 citations
,
August 2014 in “Archives of Pharmacal Research” Special nanoparticles increased skin absorption of hair loss treatments with fewer side effects.
9 citations
,
August 2019 in “Clinical genitourinary cancer” Taking 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors before bladder removal surgery might make high-grade bladder tumors less aggressive.
7 citations
,
January 2013 in “European Urology” 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors may prevent prostate cancer but are not widely used due to concerns about trial relevance and potential risks, and more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.
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.
15 citations
,
October 2016 in “Steroids” Researchers developed a new method to find substances in herbs that can block a specific enzyme linked to hair loss.
12 citations
,
March 2017 in “Medicinal Chemistry Research” Some curcumin-like compounds can effectively and safely block the enzyme linked to hair loss and other conditions related to male hormones.
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
,
April 2008 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” Dutasteride and finasteride do not significantly affect bone density, blood fats, or blood production, but slightly lower PSA levels and minimally impact sexual function in healthy young men.
66 citations
,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
34 citations
,
August 2011 in “Journal of Natural Medicines” Puerariae Flos extract may help treat hair loss by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and promoting hair growth.
22 citations
,
November 2018 in “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment” The medications 5α-reductase inhibitors and spironolactone are generally safe for breast cancer patients on endocrine therapies and do not significantly increase breast cancer risk.
10 citations
,
January 2018 in “Functional Foods in Health and Disease” Black raspberry extract may help with hair growth, skin whitening, and weight loss.