62 citations
,
April 2004 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride effectively treats male pattern baldness, improving hair growth and density.
60 citations
,
December 1998 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics” Both drugs lower DHT levels, with GI198745 being more effective.
56 citations
,
January 2015 in “Circulation” Finasteride helps reduce heart issues and improves heart function.
56 citations
,
April 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” All three treatments reduce hirsutism, but spironolactone works best long-term.
54 citations
,
September 2013 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride can reduce fertility in some men, but stopping it increases sperm count.
54 citations
,
August 2005 in “Alcohol” Finasteride affects alcohol intake in male mice, possibly due to neurosteroids.
52 citations
,
January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride and spironolactone both reduce hirsutism, but finasteride lowers androgen levels more.
51 citations
,
October 2012 in “International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology” Finasteride works better than Serenoa repens for male hair loss.
51 citations
,
October 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.
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.
50 citations
,
May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” Flutamide reduces hair growth better but has more side effects.
49 citations
,
August 2003 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Higher IGF-1 levels in hair follicles link to better finasteride results for hair loss.
46 citations
,
May 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.
46 citations
,
October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats male pattern hair loss with a 1 mg daily dose.
45 citations
,
January 2012 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Too much AKR1C3 enzyme causes resistance to finasteride by increasing testosterone.
44 citations
,
April 2015 in “PubMed” Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting side effects like impotence and low libido, but trials lack proper safety reporting.
44 citations
,
July 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Finasteride effectively increases hair growth in men with AGA, works better for those over 30, and may cause some side effects.
44 citations
,
July 2004 in “Archives of Dermatology” Finasteride for hair loss has minimal impact on sexual function.
43 citations
,
July 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.
40 citations
,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.
40 citations
,
January 2003 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism.
38 citations
,
December 2010 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride may cause male infertility, stopping it can help.
38 citations
,
January 1997 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in PCOS women, with flutamide also lowering hormone levels.
37 citations
,
September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment in male rats causes long-lasting effects on depression-like behavior, brain cell growth, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition.
36 citations
,
June 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Dutasteride helps hair growth in those unresponsive to finasteride, but may cause more sexual dysfunction.
36 citations
,
February 2011 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride use may cause sperm damage and infertility, stopping it can improve sperm health.
36 citations
,
September 2001 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Finasteride doesn't reduce sexual function in people with hair loss.
34 citations
,
January 1998 in “European Urology” Finasteride works best in 6 months and lasts 6 years.
33 citations
,
December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.
33 citations
,
November 2008 in “European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” St. John's wort increases finasteride metabolism, reducing its effectiveness; use caution when combining them.