Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

October 1998 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Keith D. Kaufman, Elise A. Olsen, David A. Whiting, Ronald C. Savin, Richard L. DeVillez, Wilma F. Bergfeld, Vera H. Price, D. Van Neste, Janet L. Roberts, Maria K. Hordinsky, Jerry Shapiro, Bruce Binkowitz, Glenn J. Gormley

finasteride androgenetic alopecia DHT male pattern hair loss scalp hair count hair growth sexual function impairment Propecia male pattern baldness

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

Finasteride is a safe and effective treatment for male pattern hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia. It reduces scalp DHT levels and promotes hair growth. The drug has been shown to be generally well-tolerated with few adverse events reported. Studies involving a large number of participants have demonstrated that finasteride improves scalp hair count and quality after two 1-year trials. However, it may cause reversible sexual function impairment and should not be used by pregnant women as it can harm the development of a male fetus.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research A Hair Growth Questionnaire for Use in the Evaluation of Therapeutic Effects in Men

36 citations, January 1998 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

The questionnaire effectively measures men's perceived hair growth and can distinguish between different treatments and dosages.

research Photographic Documentation of Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

102 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Photographic documentation crucial for evaluating hair growth in androgenetic alopecia.

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

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research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations, May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontal scalp biopsy sections effectively diagnose and predict MPAA, with follicular density and inflammation impacting hair regrowth.

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.

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin

74 citations, November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology”

Increased DHT formation in skin can cause hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens might treat these conditions.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

26 upvotes 10 years ago

Male androgenetic alopecia is commonly treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both requiring continuous use. Other options include hair restoration surgery, dutasteride, light therapy, and camouflaging agents.

community What do these pictures say about my hair and scalp if anything? Miniaturization, inflammation, etc.?

in Research/Science 74 upvotes 2 years ago

Hair loss and scalp issues, with people discussing possible treatments such as Nizoral shampoo, Minoxidil, neem oil, and finasteride.

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

in Progress Pictures 88 upvotes 1 year ago

A user has been treating hair loss with finasteride for two years without success and is experiencing an itchy scalp with seborrhea. Despite low DHT levels, they are still losing hair, suggesting that DHT might not be the main cause of their hair loss, and they are considering other treatments or causes.

community Why is it that low testosterone causes hair loss as well? How can I be balding?

in Chat 158 upvotes 7 months ago

The conversation discusses the confusion over low testosterone potentially causing hair loss, with users sharing personal experiences and knowledge about hair loss treatments like Finasteride. Some users suggest that hair follicle sensitivity to DHT, not testosterone levels, is the key factor in balding, and others discuss the side effects of hair loss medications.

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 160 upvotes 11 months ago

The conversation discusses the effectiveness of hair loss treatments, specifically finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels and may be more effective than finasteride for long-term hair retention, with some users reporting personal experiences and side effects.

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research Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

January 1998 in “NEJM Journal Watch”

Finasteride increases hair count in men with hair loss, but the effect isn't permanent and hair loss returns if treatment stops.

Increased Scalp Skin and Serum 5a-Reductase Reduced Androgens in a Man Relevant to the Acquired Progressive Kinky Hair Disorder and Developing Androgenetic Alopecia

research Increased Scalp Skin and Serum 5a-Reductase Reduced Androgens in a Man Relevant to the Acquired Progressive Kinky Hair Disorder and Developing Androgenetic Alopecia

11 citations, September 1997 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Reduced androgens linked to kinky hair disorder and hair loss; 5a-reductase inhibitors may help.

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

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

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

Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.

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”

Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

Research cited in this study

research A Hair Growth Questionnaire for Use in the Evaluation of Therapeutic Effects in Men

research Photographic Documentation of Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

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

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin

Related Community Posts Join

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

community What do these pictures say about my hair and scalp if anything? Miniaturization, inflammation, etc.?

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

community Why is it that low testosterone causes hair loss as well? How can I be balding?

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

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