Dihydrotestosterone and 5α-Reductase: Role in Hair Loss and Prostate Health

January 2003 in “ Humana Press eBooks ”

Paul R. Sutton, John K. Amory, Richard V. Clark

dihydrotestosterone 5α-Reductase 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors finasteride androgenetic alopecia anagen hair hirsutism DHT 5 alpha-reductase Propecia male pattern baldness

TLDR 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.

The 2002 document discussed the role of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-Reductase in hair loss and prostate health. It emphasized the effectiveness of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, like finasteride, in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). The studies indicated that finasteride increased anagen hair in men with androgenetic alopecia without affecting spermatogenesis or semen production. However, it was ineffective in postmenopausal women with the same condition. The document also noted the use of finasteride in treating hirsutism in women, but the results were mixed.

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Research cited in this study

25 / 25 results

The Long-Term Effect of Specific Type II 5α-Reductase Inhibition With Finasteride on Bone Mineral Density in Men: Results of a 4-Year Placebo-Controlled Trial

research The Long-Term Effect of Specific Type II 5α-Reductase Inhibition With Finasteride on Bone Mineral Density in Men: Results of a 4-Year Placebo-Controlled Trial

11 citations, May 2002 in “The Journal of Urology”

Finasteride doesn't harm bone density in older men with BPH.

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Treatment with Finasteride, 1 mg, Daily

66 citations, April 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride increases hair weight and count in men with hair loss.

research Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis and Regulation of the Human Hair Cycle

23 citations, January 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Finasteride helps hair growth by decreasing cell death in hair follicles.

research 5α-Reductase Activity in the Prostate

237 citations, December 2001 in “Urology”

Blocking the enzyme 5α-reductase can shrink the prostate and help treat enlarged prostate issues.

research Evaluation of Sexual Function in Subjects Taking Finasteride for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

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.

research Clinical Application of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

46 citations, March 2001 in “Journal of endocrinological investigation”

5α-reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, effectively treat BPH, male baldness, and hirsutism, with potential for acne and prostate cancer prevention.

research Lack of Efficacy of Finasteride in Postmenopausal Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

239 citations, November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.

research Finasteride Increases Anagen Hair in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

129 citations, October 2000 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.

research The Hair Follicle: A Paradoxical Androgen Target Organ

66 citations, January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics”

Androgens can both promote and prevent hair growth due to differences in gene expression in hair follicles.

research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

46 citations, January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research Improvement in Androgenetic Alopecia in 53-76-Year-Old Men Using Oral Finasteride

30 citations, December 1999 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride increases hair count in middle-aged and elderly men without causing sexual dysfunction.

research Chronic Treatment with Finasteride Daily Does Not Affect Spermatogenesis or Semen Production in Young Men

104 citations, October 1999 in “The Journal of Urology”

Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations, June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations, October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

Effects of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride on Serum Levels of Gonadal, Adrenal, and Hypophyseal Hormones and Its Clinical Significance: A Prospective Clinical Study

research Effects of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride on Serum Levels of Gonadal, Adrenal, and Hypophyseal Hormones and Its Clinical Significance: A Prospective Clinical Study

56 citations, April 1998 in “Steroids”

Finasteride reduces hair loss and treats BPH without major hormone changes, but may cause sexual dysfunction.

The Effect of Finasteride on the Risk of Acute Urinary Retention and the Need for Surgical Treatment Among Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research The Effect of Finasteride on the Risk of Acute Urinary Retention and the Need for Surgical Treatment Among Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1054 citations, February 1998 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride reduces urinary issues and surgery need in men with enlarged prostates by over 50%.

research Maximum Efficacy of Finasteride Is Obtained Within 6 Months and Maintained Over 6 Years

34 citations, January 1998 in “European Urology”

Finasteride works best in 6 months and lasts 6 years.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations, September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

research The Efficacy of Terazosin, Finasteride, or Both in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

728 citations, August 1996 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Terazosin and finasteride effectively treat BPH, but combining them adds no extra benefit.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder

80 citations, January 1995 in “The American Journal of Medicine”

Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic factors and androgen excess, and can be treated with combined therapies.

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

34 citations, January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients With Male Pattern Baldness

61 citations, September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations, October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.

Three-Month Treatment With a Long-Acting Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist of Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Effects on Tissue Androgen Concentration, 5α-Reductase Activity and Androgen Receptor Content

research Three-Month Treatment With a Long-Acting Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist of Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Effects on Tissue Androgen Concentration, 5α-Reductase Activity and Androgen Receptor Content

82 citations, February 1989 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

A three-month treatment with a GnRH agonist significantly lowered androgen levels and 5α-reductase activity in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations, August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.