Comparative Effects of Finasteride and Minoxidil on Male Reproductive Organs: A Systematic Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

November 2023 in “ Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology ”

Francielle de Fátima Viana Santana, Amanda Alves Lozi, Reggiani Vilela Gonçalves, Janaina Da Silva, Sérgio Luís Pinto da Matta

finasteride minoxidil testis epididymis oxidative stress morphological changes erectile dysfunction decreased libido reduced semen volume alopecia Propecia Rogaine

TLDR Finasteride is more harmful to male reproductive health than minoxidil.

The systematic review included 31 original studies and aimed to compare the impact of finasteride and minoxidil on male reproductive organs, specifically the testis and epididymis, in adult murine models. The study concluded that both finasteride and minoxidil act as hormone disruptors, causing oxidative stress and morphological changes mainly in the testis. However, finasteride was found to be more harmful to male reproductive health as it was more associated with reproductive injuries, including damage to the epididymis, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and reduced semen volume. This study contributes to understanding how medications used for alopecia might lead to male reproductive disorders.

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30 / 30 results

research Resveratrol Ameliorates the Seminiferous Tubules Damages Induced by Finasteride in Adult Male Rats

10 citations , December 2020 in “Microscopy and Microanalysis”

Resveratrol helps prevent finasteride-induced damage in male rats, improving reproductive function.

research Origanum Vulgare L. Leaves Extract Alleviates Testis And Sperm Damages Induced By Finasteride: Biochemical, Immunohistological And Apoptosis Genes Based Evidences

4 citations , September 2020 in “Andrologia”

Oregano extract helps fix testis and sperm damage caused by finasteride.

research Effects of AiQingHua Oil on Microcirculation Disturbance and Alopecia in Mice Models

7 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of King Saud University. Science/Maǧallaẗ ǧāmiʹaẗ al-malik Saʹūd. al-ʹUlūm”

AiQingHua oil improves blood flow and promotes hair growth in mice.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil as Treatment for Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Systematic Review

19 citations , June 2020 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively treats non-scarring hair loss with some side effects like hypertrichosis and postural hypotension.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: Risks and Side Effects of Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

15 citations , May 2020 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

Finasteride may cause lasting sexual, mental, and physical symptoms; use with caution.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians

30 citations , January 2020 in “Fertility and Sterility”

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study Investigating Combination Therapy with Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Spironolactone

80 citations , January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone combo effectively reduces hair loss and improves hair density in women.

research Protective Effect of DA-9401 in Finasteride-Induced Apoptosis in Rat Testis: Inositol Requiring Kinase 1 and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Pathway

18 citations , October 2017 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy”

DA-9401 helps protect rat testis from finasteride damage.

research Differences in Reproductive Toxicology Between Alopecia Drugs: An Analysis on Adverse Events Among Female and Male Cases

24 citations , October 2016 in “Oncotarget”

Finasteride has a higher risk of reproductive side effects than minoxidil.

research Physiology of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis in the Male

70 citations , May 2016 in “Urologic Clinics of North America”

The document explains how the male reproductive system works, its role in making testosterone, and how conditions like obesity can disrupt it, leading to low testosterone and fertility issues.

research Morphometric-Stereological and Functional Epididymal Alterations and a Decrease in Fertility in Rats Treated with Finasteride and After a 30-Day Post-Treatment Recovery Period

20 citations , June 2012 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride causes lasting fertility decrease in rats.

research Effects of Oral Finasteride on Erectile Function in a Rat Model

25 citations , May 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride reduces corpus cavernosum weight but doesn't affect erectile response in rats.

research Finasteride

10 citations , June 2010 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology”

Finasteride reduces prostate cancer risk but may increase high-grade cancer chances.

research Expression of E-SOD, GPX5 mRNAs and Immunoexpression of Cu/ZnSOD in Epididymal Epithelial Cells of Finasteride-Treated Rats

10 citations , October 2008 in “Andrologia”

Finasteride changes antioxidant enzyme expression, possibly affecting sperm protection in rats.

research Androgens and Hair Growth

209 citations , September 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Androgens can both increase and decrease hair growth in different parts of the body.

research The Effect of Finasteride on Spermatogenesis of Mesocricetus Auratus

5 citations , May 2008 in “Acta Cirurgica Brasileira”

Finasteride causes sperm production decrease in Mesocricetus auratus.

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

137 citations , March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.

research Minoxidil: An Underused Vasodilator for Resistant or Severe Hypertension

74 citations , May 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Hypertension”

Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.

research Androgens and Alopecia

165 citations , December 2002 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.

research Effects of the Chronic Use of Finasteride on Testicular Weight and Spermatogenesis in Wistar Rats

18 citations , June 2002 in “BJUI”

Finasteride doesn't change rat testicle weight or sperm production.

research Finasteride, a Type 2 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations , April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, improving growth and density.

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

34 citations , February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.

research Age-Related Changes in Brain and Pituitary 5α-Reductase with Finasteride (Proscar) Treatment

26 citations , July 1995 in “Neurobiology of Aging”

Finasteride affects prostate weights and pituitary activity differently with age.

research Leydig Cell Hyperplasia and Adenomas in Mice Treated with Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor: A Possible Mechanism

35 citations , February 1994 in “Fundamental and applied toxicology”

High doses of finasteride cause cell growth and tumors in mice.

research Finasteride Blocks Progesterone Synthesis in MA-10 Leydig Tumor Cells

6 citations , October 1993 in “Endocrinology”

Finasteride blocks progesterone production in specific tumor cells, potentially causing side effects.

research Finasteride

86 citations , July 1993 in “Drugs”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate, shrinks it, improves urination, but may cause sexual dysfunction and isn't for women or children.

research Reversible Decreases of Fertility in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats Treated Orally with Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

28 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

Finasteride temporarily lowers male rat fertility without affecting libido.

research Decreased Fertility in Male Rats Administered the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, Due to Deficits in Copulatory Plug Formation

37 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

Finasteride reduces male rat fertility by causing issues with copulatory plug formation.

research Lack of a Gonadal or Adrenal Androgenic Mechanism for the Hypertrichosis Produced by Diazoxide, Phenytoin, and Minoxidil

24 citations , May 1982 in “Biochemical Pharmacology”

These drugs cause hair growth without affecting testosterone or adrenal hormones.

research Minoxidil

45 citations , January 1981 in “Annals of Internal Medicine”

Minoxidil controls blood pressure effectively, but may cause side effects like hypertrichosis.

8 / 8 results

research Untargeted Metabolomics and Steroid Signatures in Urine of Male Pattern Baldness Patients After Finasteride Treatment for a Year

September 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

research Untargeted Metabolomics and Steroid Signatures in Urine of Male Pattern Baldness Patients After Finasteride Treatment for a Year

March 2020 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)”

research Untargeted Metabolomics and Steroid Signatures in Urine of Male Pattern Baldness Patients After Finasteride Treatment for a Year

February 2020 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)”

research Guidelines on the Use of Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia

33 citations , March 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Taking 1 mg of finasteride daily can increase hair count and improve hair appearance, but it may have side effects on sexual function and a potential risk of prostate cancer. It may not be effective for postmenopausal women unless taken in higher doses.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia

November 2014 in “PharmaTutor”

Finasteride may help postmenopausal women with hair loss but is not effective for all and should be used cautiously in premenopausal women.

research Expression of E-SOD, GPX5 mRNAs and Immunoexpression of Cu/ZnSOD in Epididymal Epithelial Cells of Finasteride-Treated Rats

10 citations , October 2008 in “Andrologia”

Finasteride changes antioxidant enzyme expression, possibly affecting sperm protection in rats.

research Dutasteride Improves Hair Growth in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness More Effectively Than Finasteride

January 2007 in “Inpharma Weekly”

Dutasteride is more effective for male pattern baldness than finasteride, and black cohosh extract BNO 1055 is as effective as conjugated estrogens in treating postmenopausal symptoms, with added benefits in reducing sweating and mental symptoms.

research Reproducibility of Global Photographic Assessments of Patients With Male Pattern Baldness in a Clinical Trial With Finasteride

5 citations , January 1995 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A trial found that using finasteride, a hair growth drug, can be effectively measured by comparing before and after photos.