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.
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.
31 citations
,
September 2008 in “International Journal of Andrology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may cause a low incidence of erectile dysfunction that decreases over time.
22 citations
,
December 2010 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.
15 citations
,
July 2016 in “Urologic Clinics of North America” Finasteride and dutasteride are effective for long-term treatment of enlarged prostates but have sexual side effects and a risk of high-grade prostate cancer.
13 citations
,
June 2018 in “Current Urology Reports” Hair loss drugs may cause sexual issues and infertility in men.
10 citations
,
October 2018 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Men using hair loss drugs like finasteride may experience sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but it's unclear who will be affected and when. Treating depression and sexual symptoms is suggested, as these men often have higher rates of both. More research is needed to understand why these side effects occur.
8 citations
,
July 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Finasteride is effective for treating BPH but not recommended for prostate cancer prevention.
5 citations
,
July 1994 in “PubMed” Finasteride, when taken daily, lowers dihydrotestosterone levels but doesn't noticeably affect adrenal steroid production, except by blocking the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme.
1 citations
,
April 2022 in “Applied sciences” Bitter melon extract may help prevent hair loss and can be used in cosmetic products.
March 2023 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, are used for prostate issues, hair loss, and excessive hair growth, may help with COVID-19, but can cause sexual and mental health side effects, and their use in preventing prostate cancer needs more examination.
February 2016 in “Journal of urology and nephrology open access” Finasteride, a drug that prevents testosterone conversion, can effectively reduce blood loss in prostate surgery, especially for patients with a prostatic volume over 30 cc, and decrease post-surgery complications.
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.
45 citations
,
September 2000 in “Archives of dermatology” The study found that the enzyme linked to acne is present in the same areas of both acne-affected and normal skin.
27 citations
,
January 2017 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” The enzyme 5α-reductase is key in causing psychotic-like effects from sleep deprivation.
13 citations
,
February 2022 in “JAMA Dermatology” Dutasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment after 24 weeks, but finasteride leads to the most hair growth after 48 weeks.
13 citations
,
August 2013 in “Journal of pharmaceutical sciences” Researchers created a skin patch that delivers two drugs for treating enlarged prostate, which may improve patient use and dosage control.
7 citations
,
June 2020 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” Finasteride for hair loss may cause lasting sexual, genitourinary, mental, and anti-androgenic side effects in young men.
3 citations
,
August 2004 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics” Finasteride doesn't change polycystic ovary size or cyst number, suggesting testosterone's role in their appearance.
2 citations
,
August 2016 in “British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” The document concludes that women should not use 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors due to the risk of birth defects and limited effectiveness.
January 2025 in “The World Journal of Men s Health” Finasteride temporarily suppresses brain activity, but some effects last even after stopping.
May 2024 in “Brazilian Journal of Hair Health” Finasteride and dutasteride may help prevent hair loss but could cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and psychological issues.
November 2023 in “Research Square (Research Square)” Finasteride affects the male rat brain by reducing certain protein activation, but these effects may reverse after stopping the drug.
October 2023 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride and Dutasteride can improve hair growth in male baldness but may cause temporary sexual dysfunction and possibly affect fertility.
July 2023 in “Dermatology and Therapy” 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are effective for male hair loss and some skin conditions, but their effectiveness in women and safety concerns require careful use.
January 2016 in “Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia” The document concludes that the risk of sexual side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors is low and often temporary, but more research is needed on potential permanent effects.
January 2014 in “Revista del Hospital Juárez de México” Finasteride reduces bleeding during prostate surgery.
April 2023 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Chronic use of 1 mg/day finasteride for hair loss may delay prostate cancer diagnosis by lowering PSA levels.
39 citations
,
August 2004 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics” Finasteride and CPA-EE2 equally reduce hirsutism, but affect hormone levels differently.
21 citations
,
March 2018 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may help stabilize or slow down hair loss in some frontal fibrosing alopecia patients, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.