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.
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.
35 citations
,
October 2011 in “Medicine and science in sports and exercise” Muscles can make their own androgens, which may help muscle growth.
34 citations
,
October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Hormone treatments can help with women's skin and hair disorders, but they need careful monitoring and more research.
33 citations
,
August 2018 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America” The document explains hair biology, the causes of hair loss, and reviews various hair loss treatments.
32 citations
,
June 2017 in “Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” Chitosan-coated nanoparticles improve skin delivery of hair loss treatments with fewer side effects.
27 citations
,
December 2016 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Certain skin conditions can indicate insulin resistance and should prompt lifestyle changes and medical treatment to manage underlying health issues.
23 citations
,
October 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Consider benefits and risks of new alopecia treatments for safety.
17 citations
,
February 2019 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology” AKR1D1 controls glucocorticoid levels and receptor activity in liver cells.
16 citations
,
August 2014 in “Archives of Pharmacal Research” Special nanoparticles increased skin absorption of hair loss treatments with fewer side effects.
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.
15 citations
,
October 2014 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Some hair loss and prostate drugs might increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
14 citations
,
August 2013 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America” Some nonsurgical hair loss treatments are effective, especially if started early.
11 citations
,
December 2018 in “Assay and Drug Development Technologies” Natural herbal compounds might treat certain medical conditions by reducing DHT levels, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
8 citations
,
October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The review suggests there's no agreed treatment for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, but hydroxychloroquine and 5a-reductase inhibitors are most effective. New treatments like platelet-rich plasma and LED light could help if standard treatments fail.
5 citations
,
August 2018 in “Sexual Medicine Reviews” 5α-Reductase inhibitors do not consistently increase testosterone levels in the blood.
3 citations
,
August 2020 in “Urology Journal” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of mild depression.
2 citations
,
January 2023 in “Pharmaceuticals” Natural products and phytochemicals may help with hair regrowth, but more research is needed.
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
,
July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Heredity and hormones cause common hair loss, and topical minoxidil is the first recommended treatment.
1 citations
,
August 2015 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause serious and possibly lasting sexual and psychological side effects.
June 2026 in “Pharmaceuticals” 5α-Reductase inhibitors, like finasteride, can cause serious, persistent side effects not always listed in official drug information.
January 2026 in “Yonsei Medical Journal” Finasteride and dutasteride have little effect on Type 2 Diabetes risk.
December 2025 in “Medicine - Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado” Recent advancements in hair loss treatments include new therapies and insights for different types of alopecia.
November 2025 in “International Journal of Apllied Mathematics” Numerical methods help analyze alopecia drugs' properties effectively.
May 2024 in “European urology focus” Drugs for prostate enlargement and hair loss were not linked to increased risk of depression or suicide.
February 2024 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” Dermatologists recommend oral dutasteride for male hair loss, low-dose oral minoxidil for female hair loss, and a multidisciplinary approach for young patients, with caution during pregnancy.
There are many treatments for common hair loss, but more trials are needed to decide which are best.
Encapsulating hair loss drugs in cyclodextrins improves their solubility and reduces scalp irritation.