DHT is important for sexual function and mood, but finasteride and dutasteride can reduce DHT, causing side effects like reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. These treatments are effective for hair loss, but their impact on DHT leads to debate.
Hair loss is influenced by genetics and sensitivity to hormones like DHT. Treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride are commonly used, and baldness persists as it doesn't affect reproductive success.
A 19-year-old is experiencing sexual side effects after 1.5 months of using topical finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss. They are considering stopping the treatment to see if symptoms resolve and are seeking advice on how long to wait before discontinuing.
The mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia and practical applications of treatments like Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, dermarolling, scalp massages, anti-fungals, progesterone, estrogen, PPAR-γ activators, reducing oxidative stress, and scalp exercises. It explains why DHT is important in AA and how other factors might be involved such as hypoxia, increased DKK-1 expression, morphological changes to the scalp, skull growth during childhood/puberty, and blood flow.
Dutasteride takes 1-3 months to affect scalp DHT levels, not just a week. The prostate absorbs Dutasteride faster than the scalp due to different vascular networks and enzyme densities.