These medications for BPH have known risks and may have new side effects.
Finasteride may help reduce COVID-19 infection by altering a key gene.
November 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” JAK inhibitors may reduce depression in people with alopecia areata.
January 2009 in “Journal of Xingtai University” Finasteride is made through a series of chemical reactions starting from a specific intermediate compound.
219 citations
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October 2009 in “Steroids” 5α-reductase inhibitors, like Finasteride and Dutasteride, help manage benign prostatic hyperplasia.
March 2005 in “European Urology Supplements” October 2019 in “Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology” 
4 citations
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October 2020 in “Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods” Hesperidin protects rat testicles from finasteride damage and improves sperm health.
1 citations
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February 2008 in “Nature Clinical Practice Urology” Finasteride's sexual side effects may be due to nocebo effect.
July 2013 in “Edinburgh Research Archive (University of Edinburgh)” Dutasteride may reduce insulin sensitivity and increase body fat.
22 citations
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October 2001 in “Biochemical Pharmacology” GI198745 is more potent and longer-lasting than finasteride, potentially better for treating hair loss.
April 2008 in “Sexologies” Knowing about potential side effects can make them more likely to happen.
17 citations
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September 2013 in “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology” 
3 citations
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October 2022 in “International Journal of Impotence Research” Testosterone Replacement Therapy can improve sexual health in postmenopausal women with low sexual desire, but more research is needed on its long-term effects.
April 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” 180 citations
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June 2004 in “Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics” Progesterone's seizure-reducing effects are mainly due to allopregnanolone, not progesterone receptors.
1 citations
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November 2022 in “Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry” July 2023 in “Media Dermato Venereologica Indonesiana” Less frequent intercourse is linked to higher erectile dysfunction.
June 2025 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Finasteride does not increase the risk of suicide attempts.
March 2026 in “Journal of Clinical and Basic Psychosomatics” Tianmeng oral liquid may help with insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
September 2021 in “European Neuropsychopharmacology” The research explores how gut bacteria and sleep patterns are related in mental health disorders.
4 citations
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August 2010 in “Acta Biologica Hungarica” New steroidal compounds moderately block an enzyme related to testosterone conversion, less effectively than finasteride.
November 2003 in “Journal of Dermatology” Authors defend finasteride-depression link, suggest detailed medical history, and call for more investigation.
2 citations
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October 2025 in “Frontiers in Medicine” Isotretinoin has many serious side effects, including some new ones, needing better safety measures and updated labels.
8 citations
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July 2018 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects, needing more research for treatment.
April 2025 in “European Psychiatry” Mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder can cause skin issues, but severe reactions are rare.
December 2013 in “Estudo Geral (Universidade de Coimbra)” Modified steroidal inhibitors showed promise in treating hormone-dependent cancers.
31 citations
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January 2017 in “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” Low testosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors can harm men's metabolic and sexual health; testosterone therapy may help, but discussing 5α-RIs' side effects is important.