TLDR Some hormone treatments might raise breast cancer risk, while others don't seem to.
This 2019 review examined the potential links between various exogenous hormones and breast diseases, particularly breast cancer. It suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might increase the risk of breast cancer, with some studies indicating a dose-response relationship. On the other hand, the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system was associated with a decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, without an increased risk of breast cancer. The review also explored the potential breast cancer risks associated with other hormonal treatments, such as megestrol acetate, ethinyl estradiol, cyproterone acetate, finasteride, dutasteride, and spironolactone, with conclusions varying based on the studies cited.
28 citations
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August 2014 in “Cancer Causes & Control” Taking 5α-reductase inhibitors does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in men.
32 citations
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May 2013 in “The Journal of Urology” Using finasteride or dutasteride does not increase the risk of male breast cancer.
129 citations
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January 1977 in “Hormone and metabolic research” Cyproterone Acetate effectively treats androgen-related conditions and is used in prostate cancer therapy and hormone therapy for transgender women.
42 citations
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December 1976 in “PubMed” Cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol effectively reduce hirsutism and acne in women.
5 citations
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April 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery” PRP treatment satisfies 58% of female hair loss patients, with most noticing fuller, thicker hair and less shedding.
12 citations
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June 2016 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” Some skin diseases and their treatments can negatively affect male fertility.
139 citations
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December 2020 in “Cell Stem Cell” Male hormones affect COVID-19 severity and certain drugs targeting these hormones could help reduce the risk.
37 citations
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April 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some treatments like intralesional steroids and 5α-reductase inhibitors are effective for frontal fibrosing alopecia, but more research is needed.
2 citations
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January 2018 in “Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny” Use trichoscopy to diagnose hair loss; treat with minoxidil, finasteride, or dutasteride; consider platelet-rich plasma and spironolactone.
March 2025 in “JAAD reviews.” Bicalutamide can reduce female pattern hair loss, especially in those with certain conditions, but has limited effects on other hair loss types.
