Therapeutic Experience with Oral Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia in Female-to-Male Transgender Patients

July 2017 in “ Clinical and Experimental Dermatology ”

Oscar M. Moreno-Arrones, A. Becerra, Sergio Vano-Galvan

finasteride androgenetic alopecia AGA Propecia

TLDR Finasteride effectively treats hair loss in transgender men with few side effects.

This study evaluated the use of oral finasteride for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in female-to-male transgender patients. The study found that finasteride was effective in treating AGA in transgender men and was well-tolerated with no significant adverse effects. The study suggests that finasteride should be considered in transgender men affected with AGA. However, the study had a small sample size and short-term follow-up, so further controlled studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of finasteride in such patients.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

57 citations, July 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

5α-reductase inhibitors increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in men with enlarged prostate.

research Testosterone Therapy for Transgender Men: Effects and Safety

162 citations, April 2016 in “The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology”

Testosterone therapy in transgender men has both desired effects like increased muscle mass and potential health risks such as higher cardiovascular risk.

research Classifications of Patterned Hair Loss: A Review

101 citations, January 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Different types of hair loss need specific treatments, and while many classification systems exist, each has its flaws; more research is needed to refine these systems and treatments.

research Adverse Event Reporting in Clinical Trials of Finasteride for Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

44 citations, April 2015 in “PubMed”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting side effects like impotence and low libido, but trials lack proper safety reporting.

research Short- and Long-Term Clinical Skin Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Trans Men

110 citations, January 2014 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Testosterone treatment in trans men increases body and facial hair and may lead to hair loss over time, but severe skin issues are rare.

research Trichoscopy in Alopecias: Diagnosis Simplified

96 citations, January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Trichoscopy is a useful, non-invasive way to diagnose different types of hair loss.

research Finasteride and Sexual Side Effects

39 citations, January 2012 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

Finasteride may cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, but they are reversible and affect less than 2% of men.

research Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

152 citations, October 2010 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men and Women: A Comparative Study

110 citations, September 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss linked to higher heart disease risk in both men and women.

research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

29 citations, May 2010 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride may help some women with hair loss, but better options exist.

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in Men: A Community-Based Survey

69 citations, April 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Balding men, especially young ones, may have higher risk of heart issues and diabetes; check cholesterol levels.

research Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

855 citations, June 2009 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

The guideline recommends mental health involvement in diagnosing gender identity disorder and outlines hormone and surgical treatment protocols, emphasizing safety, informed consent, and long-term monitoring.

research Established Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Are Unrelated to Androgen-Induced Baldness in Female-to-Male Transsexuals

57 citations, January 2004 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

Baldness caused by male hormones in female-to-male transsexuals doesn't increase the risk of heart disease.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapy

174 citations, November 2002 in “Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine”

Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

research Effects of Sex Steroid Deprivation and Administration on Hair Growth and Skin Sebum Production in Transsexual Males and Females

176 citations, August 2000 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Hormone treatments in transsexual individuals reduce hair growth and oil production in male-to-females and increase them in female-to-males.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Finasteride

187 citations, January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.

Related Research

8 / 8 results

research Therapeutic Experience with Oral Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia in Female-to-Male Transgender Patients

32 citations, July 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats hair loss in transgender men with few side effects.

research Safety Profile of Finasteride: Distribution of Adverse Effects According to Structural and Informational Dichotomies of the Mind/Brain

8 citations, February 2017 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction and depression, which may persist and require hormonal treatment.

research Post-Finasteride Adverse Effects in Male Androgenic Alopecia: A Case Report of Vitiligo

10 citations, January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Finasteride may cause vitiligo, sexual issues, and depression; better treatments and predicting side effects needed.

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 Finasteride Adverse Effects and Post-Finasteride Syndrome: Implications for Dentists

2 citations, April 2016 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences”

Finasteride, used for treating hair loss, can cause mental, physical, and sexual side effects, some of which may persist even after stopping the drug, and it can also cause mild to moderate oral issues.

Are Hand Preference And Sexual Orientation Possible Predicting Factors For Finasteride Adverse Effects In Male Androgenic Alopecia?

research Are Hand Preference And Sexual Orientation Possible Predicting Factors For Finasteride Adverse Effects In Male Androgenic Alopecia?

12 citations, March 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hand preference and sexual orientation may predict finasteride side effects in male hair loss.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

62 citations, April 2004 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride effectively treats male pattern baldness, improving hair growth and density.

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations, August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.