Inhibition of Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase with Finasteride: Sleep-Related Erections, Potency, and Libido in Healthy Men

    June 1995 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism ”
    G. F. Cunningham, Max Hirshkowitz
    Image of study
    TLDR Finasteride doesn't affect erections much, but may decrease libido in men.
    The study investigated the effects of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on sleep-related erections, potency, and libido in healthy men. The results showed that finasteride did not significantly affect erectile function, but self-reported decreased libido was more common in men treated with finasteride than in placebo-treated control subjects. The study suggests that DHT may be involved in central nervous system processes underlying human sexual function, but objective physiological measures indexing finasteride-related changes in erectile capacity are not available. Overall, the study supports the feasibility of using a type 2 inhibitor to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia without impairing erectile function.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Hair Loss Drugs Ranked in Order of Efficacy

      in Research/Science  67 upvotes 1 year ago
      Dutasteride is likely the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness, followed by finasteride and minoxidil in various forms and dosages. Users discuss personal experiences, dosages, and potential side effects, with some considering combining treatments for better results.
      FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      community FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      in Research  330 upvotes 3 months ago
      FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.

      community Wtf have we been doing for the last 30 years

      in Treatment  516 upvotes 2 days ago
      Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride work but have side effects. A permanent cure is still not available due to the complexity of hair loss and limited investment.

      community Update: 4 Month progress on Fin/Min plus dermaroller

      in Progress Pictures  559 upvotes 11 months ago
      A user shared a 4-month update on their hair regrowth progress using finasteride, minoxidil, a dermaroller, ketoconazole shampoo, multivitamins, and biotin, and received positive reactions and inquiries from others. They also mentioned lifestyle changes such as quitting creatine, alcohol, and smoking, which may have contributed to their success.

    Related Research

    2 / 2 results