13 citations
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August 2016 in “Medical Hypotheses” Hair characteristics might be early signs of Type 2 Diabetes and could help with early prevention.
110 citations
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August 2015 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” High-dose dutasteride reduces PMDD symptoms by stabilizing neurosteroid levels.
6 citations
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July 2024 in “Heliyon” Steroid 5α-reductase evolved from protists and diversified in eukaryotes, with specific roles in mammals and plants.
January 2018 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride and dutasteride are effective for male hair loss and enlarged prostate but may cause reversible sexual side effects.
40 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Neuroactive steroids show promise for treating mental and neurological disorders by targeting GABA_A receptors.
24 citations
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May 2015 in “Schizophrenia Research” A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
51 citations
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May 2011 in “Phytotherapy Research” Ginseng, especially red ginseng, may help regrow hair and block a hair loss-related enzyme.
33 citations
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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.
27 citations
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January 2017 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” The enzyme 5α-reductase is key in causing psychotic-like effects from sleep deprivation.
15 citations
,
January 2016 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Bee venom helps hair grow and may work better than some common treatments.
5 citations
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August 2018 in “Sexual Medicine Reviews” 5α-Reductase inhibitors do not consistently increase testosterone levels in the blood.
69 citations
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December 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Some Thai plants, especially Carthamus tinctorius, could help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth without adverse effects.
23 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” New pregnane derivatives are effective at inhibiting an enzyme linked to hair loss and reducing oil gland activity.
8 citations
,
January 1991 in “European Urology” Finasteride lowers DHT levels and raises testosterone in a dose-dependent way.
55 citations
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March 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride may treat baldness but less effective for those with 5α-reductase deficiency.
66 citations
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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.
29 citations
,
August 2008 in “Current Opinion in Pediatrics” Hair loss in teenagers is hard to treat and lacks a cure, with some treatments available depending on the type of hair loss.
July 2024 in “Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Licorice extract helps hair growth and may treat hair loss.
September 2025 in “Cureus” GLP-1 agonists may help treat certain skin conditions.
19 citations
,
April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
13 citations
,
November 2012 in “PubMed” 5α-reductase inhibitors may worsen sexual drive and spontaneous erections but don't worsen existing erectile or ejaculatory problems.
22 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Some new progesterone derivatives are better at blocking testosterone conversion than a common drug.
December 2025 in “Cureus” Using 5α-reductase inhibitors for hair loss may increase the risk of dry eye disease.
10 citations
,
August 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The compounds tested could potentially treat hair loss and alopecia.
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.
19 citations
,
January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology” Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.
November 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” Enzymes called 5α-reductases have many body functions and need more research to safely use inhibitors.
18 citations
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February 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Advancements in male reproductive medicine are ongoing, but more research and improved treatments are needed in several areas.
19 citations
,
June 2010 in “Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies” A plant extract was found to effectively block an enzyme related to male hormone-related diseases.
23 citations
,
November 2018 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The study concluded that severity of Frontal fibrosing alopecia is not linked to how long someone has it, can start before menopause, and eyebrow loss may be an early sign.