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Glossary 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor

blocks enzyme converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

A 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor is a type of medication that blocks the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing DHT levels, these inhibitors can help treat conditions like male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

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Research

5 / 1000+ results

research 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Erectile Dysfunction: The Connection

78 citations , December 2008 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This review highlights that sexual dysfunction associated with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors is recognized in clinical literature, with erectile dysfunction being the most common adverse effect, followed by ejaculatory dysfunction and decreased libido.

research Effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors on erectile function, sexual desire and ejaculation

71 citations , November 2012 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety”

This article reviews the reported sexual and psychological side effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for benign prostatic hyperplasia, emphasizing the need for further clinical studies.

research Effects of finasteride, a type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, on fetal development in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

67 citations , February 1997 in “Teratology”

This study demonstrated that high oral doses of finasteride caused external genital abnormalities in male rhesus monkey fetuses, but intravenous doses did not lead to abnormalities.

The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

research The effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in patients with male pattern baldness.

59 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that 4 weeks of finasteride treatment significantly decreased DHT levels in bald scalp to levels similar to hair-containing scalp in men with male pattern baldness.

research 5 Alpha-reductase inhibitors: whatʼs new?

47 citations , January 2003 in “Current opinion in urology”

This review discusses recent advancements in understanding the use of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors for benign prostatic hyperplasia, indicating that dual isoenzyme inhibitors like dutasteride may enhance treatment outcomes, but no new clinical results are presented.

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Community Join

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community Which Saw Palmetto is good for blocking 5 alpha reductase, Serenoa repens or Chamaerops humilis?

6 years ago

The conversation is about determining which type of Saw Palmetto, either Chamaerops humilis or Serenoa repens, is effective for inhibiting the 5 alpha reductase enzyme related to hair loss. Specific treatments mentioned are Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community Did anybody use beta sisterol for hair loss? I saw in many articles in the internet that said that beta sisterol blocks dht by inhibiting 5a reductase type 2 enzyme and some reviews of people who said that it worked better than saw palmetto in terms of stoping hair loss and helping prostate.

in Research/Science 9 upvotes 3 years ago

Beta-sitosterol may inhibit 5-alpha reductase type 2 enzyme, potentially reducing DHT levels and promoting hair growth, similar to finasteride but possibly with fewer side effects. Its effectiveness and side effects compared to other treatments like saw palmetto and finasteride remain uncertain due to limited research.

community Allopregnanolone deficiency by 5-ari inhibition (fin/dut users)

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 11 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation is about managing allopregnanolone deficiency caused by 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride or dutasteride. Specific treatments discussed for hair loss include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community 5 alpha reductase type 1 is in brain tissue producing the main endogenous gabaergic allopregnanolone, not 2. How can finasteride as a 5ar2 lower that?

27 upvotes 1 year ago

Finasteride and dutasteride are discussed for hair loss, with concerns about their effects on neurosteroids and potential side effects like depression. Alternatives like topical estrogen and lifestyle changes are considered, with varying opinions on mental health and hair regrowth.

community 17-alpha-estradiol/Alfatradiol how does it Work for Hair loss?

2 upvotes 1 year ago

17-alpha-estradiol may work for hair loss by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, similar to finasteride. It might lower testosterone in the scalp, reducing DHT conversion.

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Learn

10 / 15 results

learn procapil

Want to stop hormonal hair loss without touching your hormone levels? Procapil could block the enzyme doing the damage. Procapil's supplier describes it as inhibiting 5-alpha reductase at the scalp without changing hormone levels, but the published support is cell and animal work plus one small human study of a caffeine-plus-Procapil formula. It is a cosmetic ingredient, not an approved hair-loss treatment, and no trial has compared it with finasteride or minoxidil.

learn Fluridil

How is Fluridil different from other DHT blockers like finasteride? Fluridil is a topical androgen-receptor blocker applied to the scalp, while finasteride is an oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that lowers DHT throughout the body. Finasteride is FDA-approved and far better studied; Fluridil rests on one 43-man trial and is not licensed as a hair-loss medicine, so its long-term safety and effect size are unknown.

learn Ecklonia Cava

Can Ecklonia Cava be used as a preventive treatment for early signs of hair thinning? No human trial has tested Ecklonia cava for hair loss, so it cannot be called preventive; the evidence is mouse studies and cell cultures suggesting antioxidant activity and 5-alpha-reductase inhibition in the lab.

learn Finasteride

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

learn Saw Palmetto

a natural and far less effective alternative to Finasteride

learn Azelaic Acid

acid used for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic properties

learn Rosemary

herb and oil with stimulant, circulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

learn Osteopontin

signaling protein that, when suppressed, may grow hair by reducing inflammation and stem cell loss

learn Omega 3

Is the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in your diet feeding your hair problem without you knowing? Nutrition sources describe a lopsided omega-6 to omega-3 intake as pro-inflammatory, but no published human study shows that the dietary ratio changes 5-alpha reductase, scalp DHT or hair loss; the one relevant trial tested a commercial omega-3/6 plus antioxidant supplement in 120 women, not a change in dietary fat ratio.

learn Metformin

Does metformin help control DHT levels that trigger androgenic alopecia? Metformin has been shown to lower circulating androgens in women with PCOS, but no published study has measured scalp DHT, 5-alpha reductase activity in the follicle, or hair density in anyone taking it — so its effect on pattern hair loss is untested, and it is not a DHT blocker.

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