3 citations
,
May 2016 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride given to baby rats reduces dopamine release and increases alcohol consumption in adult males.
Lower DHT and higher testosterone levels increase brain activation but don't change behavior in heavy drinkers.
June 2024 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride treats hair loss but may cause low libido, erectile issues, and depression.
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.
27 citations
,
May 2015 in “Neuropharmacology” Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.
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.
1 citations
,
January 2009 in “Trepo - Institutional Repository of Tampere University” Vitamin D may help regulate cholesterol and influence prostate cancer development.
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.