Is There a Role for 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Transgender Individuals?

    August 2020 in “ International Journal of Andrology ”
    Michael S. Irwig
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    TLDR 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride may not be effective or safe for transgender individuals, and more research is needed.
    The article from 2020 examines the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride in transgender individuals. It notes that while 30% of 166 transfeminine individuals at a clinic in Albany, NY were prescribed finasteride, its effectiveness in reducing androgens and preventing balding is not well-supported by scientific evidence and may even raise testosterone levels. In transmasculine individuals, a study of 10 subjects showed finasteride could improve hair loss, but its use is not routinely recommended due to potential interference with virilization and varying concerns about hair loss. Additionally, the safety of these drugs in transgender populations is not well-established, with some adverse effects reported in cisgender men. The article emphasizes the need for more research to determine the efficacy and safety of 5α-reductase inhibitors in transgender individuals before they can be routinely recommended.
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