23 citations
,
July 2003 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Finasteride blocks progesterone's effect on absence seizures in rats.
22 citations
,
October 2019 in “Cerebral cortex” Sex neurosteroids cause different effects on hippocampal synaptic plasticity in males and females.
11 citations
,
September 2020 in “OncoTargets and Therapy” Dihydrotestosterone increases growth and spread of human brain cancer cells, and blocking its formation might help treat this cancer.
11 citations
,
September 2008 in “European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics” Finasteride helps reduce pain and inflammation in animals.
5 citations
,
January 2024 in “American Journal of Translational Research” Gut bacteria affect female reproductive health and may help diagnose and treat related diseases.
2 citations
,
August 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” Finasteride treats baldness but may cause lasting sexual side effects.
December 2023 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” Progesterone initially worsens but later reduces neuropathic pain in mice, through different mechanisms.
November 2020 in “Elsevier eBooks” Antiandrogens and androgen inhibitors like spironolactone, finasteride, and dutasteride can treat hair loss and skin conditions, but they have risks and side effects, including potential harm to pregnant women and risks of cancer and heart issues. Herbal remedies also have antiandrogenic effects but lack safety validation.
June 2021 in “Archives of Advances in Biosciences” Finasteride reduces sperm count and quality and alters hormone levels in mice.
26 citations
,
August 2014 in “PubMed” Testosterone improves mood and thinking skills; finasteride has no effect.
19 citations
,
September 2016 in “Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride for hair loss increases risk of long-lasting sexual dysfunction.
5 citations
,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause side effects; more research needed.
4 citations
,
November 2018 in “Journal of pharmacological sciences” Mild exercise reduces pain in older rats through a brain chemical, while intense exercise reduces pain in all rats through a different pain-blocking process.
December 2025 in “International Neurourology Journal” Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors don't significantly increase dementia risk.
March 2014 in “Human Physiology” DHEA improved brain function and behavior in old monkeys and had additional health 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.
81 citations
,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.
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.
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.
50 citations
,
March 2017 in “PeerJ” Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.
34 citations
,
June 2011 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Three drugs change mice's alcohol drinking patterns by affecting GABAA receptors.
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
,
February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause serious emotional side effects; doctors should check patients' mental health history before prescribing.
24 citations
,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
20 citations
,
January 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.
20 citations
,
June 2017 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Long-term use of dutasteride for enlarged prostate may worsen blood sugar, cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction.
19 citations
,
March 2019 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride use can cause depression-like behavior in male rats.
18 citations
,
March 2019 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Finasteride use doesn't cause sexual dysfunction in men with hair loss.
17 citations
,
September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
17 citations
,
December 2018 in “The World Journal of Men s Health” Long-term use of dutasteride can cause permanent erectile dysfunction in rats.