Testosterone works in different ways, including direct interaction with its receptor, conversion to other hormones for specific effects on genitalia, hair, bones, and muscle, and changes in body fat and sexual function when low.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and its active metabolites play a key role in various diseases, and the development of 5α-reductase inhibitors can help treat these conditions.
Caffeine can potentially treat common hair loss by counteracting hair follicle shrinkage caused by hormones.
October 2000 in “Annals of Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats hair loss in men with minimal side effects.
January 2022 in “Social Science Research Network” The Ar/miR-221/IGF-1 pathway is involved in male pattern baldness, with miR-221 potentially being a new target for treatment.
February 2016 in “Journal of urology and nephrology open access” Finasteride, a drug that prevents testosterone conversion, can effectively reduce blood loss in prostate surgery, especially for patients with a prostatic volume over 30 cc, and decrease post-surgery complications.
January 2015 in “프로그램북(구 초록집)” Dutasteride is effective and safe for treating common hair loss, and it's more potent than finasteride, leading to better hair growth and thickness.
4 citations,
June 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride doesn't affect ovulation in normal women.
June 2015 in “한국화장품미용학회지” AT-Grow, a natural product, might help with a common type of hair loss by reducing DHT levels.
November 2024 in “Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care” 5 alpha reductase inhibitors can cause sexual, cognitive, and muscle side effects, and may slightly increase aggressive cancer risk.
227 citations,
January 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.
209 citations,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Androgens can both increase and decrease hair growth in different parts of the body.
179 citations,
May 1982 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation” High levels of 3 alpha-diol glucuronide in the blood are a marker of increased androgen action in women with excessive hair growth of unknown cause.
129 citations,
January 2004 in “Journal of medicinal chemistry” Researchers developed new compounds that target the androgen receptor effectively with fewer side effects.
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.
86 citations,
July 1993 in “Drugs” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate, shrinks it, improves urination, but may cause sexual dysfunction and isn't for women or children.
77 citations,
June 2006 in “Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The document concludes that accurate measurement of serum androgens is crucial for diagnosing hyperandrogenism.
53 citations,
March 2014 in “Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine” The document explains different types of hair loss, their causes, and treatments, and suggests future research areas.
42 citations,
May 2003 in “Mini-reviews in Medicinal Chemistry” New steroidal compounds could be effective for treating conditions related to 5α-reductase enzyme activity.
39 citations,
March 2009 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Apigenin may help promote hair growth and could treat hair loss.
35 citations,
December 2009 in “Human reproduction” Metformin taken during pregnancy increases SHBG in newborns but doesn't change other hormone levels in mothers or babies.
34 citations,
September 2013 in “Urology” Long-term use of a certain medication can worsen erectile function in aged rats by damaging penile muscle cells.
29 citations,
February 2007 in “Hormone and metabolic research” Blocking the androgen receptor in skin cells reduces their growth response to male hormones, suggesting a possible treatment for skin conditions linked to androgens.
20 citations,
January 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety” Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.
18 citations,
May 2014 in “Menopause” A 5 mg dose of transdermal testosterone cream effectively restores testosterone levels in postmenopausal women.
17 citations,
November 1997 in “Andrology” Finasteride effectively treats enlarged prostate and male baldness, improves symptoms of hirsutism in women, but doesn't work for acne, and may delay prostate cancer progression with few side effects.
16 citations,
June 2008 in “Springer eBooks” Over 50% of women over 50 experience hair loss, with minoxidil being the only proven effective treatment.
14 citations,
July 2011 in “Experimental Dermatology” Applying EGCG on the skin can prevent hair loss caused by testosterone in mice.
13 citations,
May 2018 in “Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations” Finasteride does not prevent bladder cancer.
10 citations,
October 2020 in “Microscopy and Microanalysis” Resveratrol helps prevent finasteride-induced damage in male rats, improving reproductive function.