January 2019 in “Dermatologica Sinica” Dutasteride improved both hair loss and acne in two young men.
3 citations
,
February 2013 in “PubMed” 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride can help treat skin disorders stimulated by androgens, such as hair loss and acne.
2 citations
,
April 2021 in “Canadian Journal of Urology” Five-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, can treat enlarged prostates, improve urination, reduce need for prostate surgery, and lower the risk of prostate cancer, but may increase the risk of higher grade prostate cancer. They can also treat male pattern baldness.
31 citations
,
September 2008 in “International Journal of Andrology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may cause a low incidence of erectile dysfunction that decreases over time.
January 2003 in “Humana Press eBooks” Dihydrotestosterone and 5α-Reductase play a role in hair loss and prostate health, and finasteride can increase hair growth in men without affecting sperm production, but it doesn't work for postmenopausal women with hair loss.
13 citations
,
January 2015 in “Steroids” The study created a model to help design new inhibitors for steroidal 5α-reductase enzymes.
5 citations
,
December 2021 in “Pediatric investigation” Testosterone undecanoate safely and effectively increased penis size in male children with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency.
November 2025 in “ACS Omega” Teak leaf extract may help hair growth and reduce inflammation safely.
July 2020 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” The structure of SRD5A reveals how it reduces steroids, aiding drug design for related health conditions.
January 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” 5α-reductase-2 deficiency causes ambiguous genitalia at birth and affects male sexual development, but individuals often develop male characteristics at puberty.
9 citations
,
August 2000 in “Journal of Periodontal Research” Finasteride reduces testosterone conversion, progesterone lessens this, and levamisole enhances finasteride's effect.
October 2023 in “Annales Academiae Medicae Silesiensis” Saw palmetto extracts might help treat male hair loss and need more research.
January 2016 in “Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia” The document concludes that the risk of sexual side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors is low and often temporary, but more research is needed on potential permanent effects.
93 citations
,
February 2009 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” 5α‐reductase isozymes are crucial for prostate development and health, and targeting them can help prevent and treat prostate issues.
42 citations
,
May 2007 in “Endocrinology and metabolism/American journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism” Testosterone can build muscle and bone without enlarging the prostate when a specific enzyme is blocked.
20 citations
,
March 2017 in “Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology” Women with PCOS have higher 5α-reductase activity, which may be linked to insulin resistance.
17 citations
,
January 2013 in “Talanta” A new method was developed to accurately measure enzyme activity related to prostate health.
15 citations
,
May 2009 in “Steroids” Certain compounds reduced hamster flank organ size by inhibiting 5α-reductase, like finasteride, without affecting androgen receptors.
14 citations
,
June 2011 in “Steroids” New compounds may help treat prostate issues without affecting androgen receptors.
5 citations
,
January 2001 in “Advances in protein chemistry” 5α-reductase inhibitors help treat disorders caused by DHT and have potential for future therapies.
1 citations
,
August 2017 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Marine sponges from Tabuhan Island can inhibit enzymes linked to Alzheimer's and hair loss.
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.
147 citations
,
April 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.
41 citations
,
March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
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.
26 citations
,
October 2011 in “International Journal of Biological Macromolecules” Some newly made compounds are promising for treating enlarged prostate, hair loss, viruses, and prostate cancer, and might be better than current drugs.
12 citations
,
January 2018 in “Pharmacology & pharmacy” Pumpkin seed products may help improve prostate and bladder health by blocking certain enzymes and hormone receptors.
February 2026 in “Toxicology Letters” MK-0773 is a moderate inhibitor of the SRD5A2 enzyme.
August 2019 in “Key engineering materials” A microemulsion with Carthamus tinctorius extract effectively inhibits 5α-reductase and improves skin and hair follicle delivery.