72 citations
,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
61 citations
,
April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.
50 citations
,
September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.
46 citations
,
September 2011 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Natural 5α-reduced glucocorticoids might be anti-inflammatory with fewer side effects than current options.
40 citations
,
April 2018 in “Endocrine” PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.
35 citations
,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
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.
34 citations
,
December 2015 in “Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews” Some hormone-related drugs may protect brain cells in Parkinson's disease differently in men and women.
28 citations
,
May 2015 in “Addiction Biology” Prenatal stress changes how male and female rats enjoy rewards differently, linked to sex hormones.
26 citations
,
July 1995 in “Neurobiology of Aging” Finasteride affects prostate weights and pituitary activity differently with age.
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.
18 citations
,
November 2007 in “Annals of Surgery” Finasteride reduces inflammation and improves immune response after trauma by altering hormone levels.
15 citations
,
March 2020 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” Finasteride may cause lasting sexual, mental, and physical symptoms; use with caution.
14 citations
,
March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research” Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.
13 citations
,
December 2017 in “CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics” Finasteride affects young male rats' brain function and behavior negatively.
12 citations
,
June 2019 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Allopregnanolone is needed for certain brain processing issues caused by D1 dopamine receptor activation.
2 citations
,
January 2011 in “Andrologia” Flutamide and a new synthetic steroid affected brain and prostate chemicals and showed potential for treating androgen-related conditions and epilepsy.
Depressed teens have different steroid levels in urine, which may help identify and treat them.
1 citations
,
July 2021 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology” Father's finasteride use may affect son's fertility and testicular function.
April 2026 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Many medications may be linked to cognitive disorders, but most lack warnings on labels.
Menopause is a clear hormonal transition in women, while men experience a gradual testosterone decline, with some needing lifestyle changes and targeted therapy.
Finasteride can cause long-term side effects like sexual dysfunction and depression.
March 2025 in “Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism” Rodent models of PCOS show some hormone changes similar to humans, but also have key differences.
June 2021 in “Archives of Advances in Biosciences” Finasteride reduces sperm count and quality and alters hormone levels in mice.
134 citations
,
February 2005 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.
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.
58 citations
,
April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.
55 citations
,
January 2007 in “Climacteric” Menopause and aging can affect women's quality of life and sexuality, but hormone therapies may help alleviate these issues.
38 citations
,
April 2018 in “Psychopharmacology/Psychopharmacologia” Blocking CRF-R1 can reduce alcohol intake in stressed mice.
32 citations
,
February 2014 in “Psychopharmacology” Dutasteride makes alcohol less sedating and may lead to less drinking in men.