The Dark Side of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors' Therapy: Sexual Dysfunction, High Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer, and Depression

    January 2014 in “ Korean Journal of Urology ”
    Abdulmaged M. Traish, Ashwini Mulgaonkar, N. Giordano
    Image of study
    TLDR 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
    The 2014 document reviews the adverse effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs) such as finasteride and dutasteride, which are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia. It reports that these drugs can lead to sexual dysfunction, including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and orgasmic dysfunction, as well as an increased incidence of high Gleason grade prostate cancer, cardiovascular events, and depression. These side effects are attributed to the inhibition of 5α-reductase enzymes, which play a role in hormone and neuro-active steroid synthesis. The review cites various studies, including a 5-year retrospective analysis and a 1-year follow-up study, which support these findings. The FDA has required updated labeling to reflect these risks. The authors conclude that the potential risks of 5α-RIs therapy should be carefully considered and communicated to patients by physicians.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    20 / 20 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 92 results

      community 1 month of using fin, so happy

      in Progress Pictures  862 upvotes 4 months ago
      User had a hair transplant and used a finasteride and minoxidil spray for 6 months with no results. After adding finasteride tablets for 1 month, they saw significant hair growth improvement.
      FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      community FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      in Research  330 upvotes 3 months ago
      FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.

      community Hair Loss Drugs Ranked in Order of Efficacy

      in Research/Science  67 upvotes 1 year ago
      Dutasteride is likely the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness, followed by finasteride and minoxidil in various forms and dosages. Users discuss personal experiences, dosages, and potential side effects, with some considering combining treatments for better results.

      community Another clueless guy fearmongering and spreading misinformation

      in Chat  251 upvotes 10 months ago
      The conversation discusses hair loss treatments, with some users advocating for finasteride and minoxidil, while others express concerns about potential side effects of finasteride. A social media influencer is criticized for promoting scalp massages and minoxidil over finasteride, which some believe is misinformation.

    Related Research

    1 / 1 results