TLDR Long-term use of finasteride in women can cause hormonal changes, DNA damage, and menstrual issues.
The study investigated the prolonged use of finasteride (5 mg/day) in 30 women aged 25-35, revealing significant alterations in gonadal sex steroids, DNA damage, and menstrual bleeding. The finasteride group showed decreased levels of DHT, estradiol, progesterone, and androstenedione, but increased testosterone levels. Additionally, finasteride induced DNA damage in lymphocytes and altered mRNA expression of genes related to steroid metabolism and vascular function. These changes were associated with heavy menstrual bleeding and irregular cycles, suggesting adverse effects on female reproductive health. The study concluded that long-term finasteride use in women for treating androgenetic alopecia posed several health risks, recommending against its use for this purpose. Limitations included self-reported data and a small sample size.
3 citations,
April 2019 in “Human & Experimental Toxicology” Finasteride causes harmful organ changes in female mice.
2 citations,
January 2017 in “Endocrinology” Testosterone and its metabolites have varied effects on different body systems, especially during puberty.
30 citations,
September 2016 in “BMJ” Taking 5-α reductase inhibitors for prostate enlargement or hair loss does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
44 citations,
January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology” Finasteride 5 mg/day effectively treats hair loss in postmenopausal women without hyper-androgenism.
36 citations,
February 2011 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride use may cause sperm damage and infertility, stopping it can improve sperm health.
100 citations,
June 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Hair loss severity relates to increased miniaturization in female pattern hair loss.
139 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Androgenetic alopecia in women needs more research and better management strategies.
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.
100 citations,
September 2017 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” Male hormones and their receptors play a key role in hair loss and skin health, with potential new treatments being explored.
378 citations,
November 2011 in “Human reproduction update” Experts recommend using evidence-based methods to diagnose and treat hirsutism, focusing on symptoms and underlying causes.
9 citations,
January 1997 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” The document concludes that treating androgen excess needs patience, managing expectations is important, and many drugs used are not officially approved, suggesting cosmetic options for mild cases.
68 citations,
January 2022 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” PCOS management includes lifestyle changes and medications, with ongoing research into repurposed drugs for better treatment options.
66 citations,
July 2015 in “Journal of Molecular Biology” The document concludes that for hair and feather growth, it's better to target the environment around stem cells than the cells themselves.
