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.
62 citations
,
March 2013 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride reduces Hidradenitis Suppurativa flare-ups in children and teens, but long-term safety is unknown.
56 citations
,
April 1998 in “Steroids” Finasteride reduces hair loss and treats BPH without major hormone changes, but may cause sexual dysfunction.
52 citations
,
February 2006 in “Archives of Dermatology” Alefacept may effectively treat severe lichen planus, with patients showing significant improvement and no side effects.
47 citations
,
January 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” High testosterone to epitestosterone ratio in hair could predict male-pattern baldness.
44 citations
,
December 2005 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Combining 5α-reductase and aromatase inhibitors may better reduce estrogen levels.
42 citations
,
December 1976 in “PubMed” Cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol effectively reduce hirsutism and acne in women.
37 citations
,
January 2015 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” An extract from Quercus acutissima bark was found to reduce sebum production and block an enzyme linked to acne.
37 citations
,
January 2009 in “Sexual Development” Fadrozole and Finasteride change frog sex ratios and cause intersex animals with altered gene expressions.
34 citations
,
April 2006 in “PubMed” Tamsulosin is a cost-effective treatment for BPH symptoms.
27 citations
,
May 2015 in “Neuropharmacology” Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.
23 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine” Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia's cause is unclear, affects mainly postmenopausal women, and current treatments focus on stopping hair loss rather than regrowth.
22 citations
,
February 2002 in “Planta Medica” Compounds from Angelica koreana roots, especially osthenol, could be effective for treating conditions like prostate disease and hair loss.
21 citations
,
November 2017 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Higher enzyme levels found in women with hair loss, suggesting hormone imbalance.
21 citations
,
January 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Progesterone byproduct 5αP stimulates mammary tumor growth, but finasteride can suppress it.
14 citations
,
February 2011 in “Drug Metabolism and Disposition” Ketoconazole increases finasteride's effectiveness and lifespan in the body.
10 citations
,
December 2020 in “Frontiers in Medicine” Men are more at risk for severe COVID-19 due to biological differences, suggesting the need for targeted treatments.
8 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Finasteride reduces opioid use and withdrawal symptoms in animals.
8 citations
,
October 2020 in “Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience” rTMS may help treat trichotillomania in some patients.
8 citations
,
June 2017 in “Steroids” New chemical compounds were made that effectively block an enzyme linked to prostate growth.
6 citations
,
April 2017 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Chinese medicine may help treat hair loss by affecting genes and enzyme activity.
5 citations
,
August 2018 in “Sexual Medicine Reviews” 5α-Reductase inhibitors do not consistently increase testosterone levels in the blood.
5 citations
,
January 2014 in “Molecular Simulation” A new compound may treat benign prostatic hyperplasia better than finasteride.
3 citations
,
November 2022 in “Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine” Electric pulse treatments for breast cancer show promise in being safer and more effective, with fewer side effects.
3 citations
,
December 2021 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Ficus benghalensis leaf extracts can effectively promote hair growth and inhibit hair loss.
3 citations
,
November 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Androgenetic alopecia, a genetic disorder affecting up to 50% of adults, is caused by an excessive response to androgens leading to hair follicle shrinkage. Treatments include FDA-approved drugs, other therapies like low-dose oral minoxidil, and hair transplantation.
2 citations
,
August 2025 in “Harm Reduction Journal” Non-medical steroid use in gym-goers is risky and needs better prevention and care strategies.
2 citations
,
October 2021 in “Asian Journal of Andrology” Medications for hair loss and prostate issues can significantly increase the risk of sexual side effects and other negative symptoms.
The authors suggest that 5-α-reductase inhibitors, like dutasteride, are effective in treating frontal fibrosing alopecia and should be the first-line treatment, with other options for severe cases. They also recommend further research on Janus kinase inhibitors.
2 citations
,
March 2012 in “Current opinion in urology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors might help slow down low-risk prostate cancer, but their use should be cautious.