124 citations,
March 2012 in “JAMA” Testosterone's muscle-building effects do not require its conversion to DHT.
78 citations,
January 2000 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Norgestimate is the most effective birth control progestin for reducing an enzyme linked to acne and excessive hair growth in women.
69 citations,
December 2005 in “Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism” Blocking the enzyme 11β-HSD1 might help treat obesity and metabolic issues.
68 citations,
June 2005 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets” Oestrogens help maintain healthy skin, heal wounds, and may protect against skin aging and cancer.
62 citations,
April 2004 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride effectively treats male pattern baldness, improving hair growth and density.
59 citations,
September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.
50 citations,
April 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” Diane 35 plus finasteride is more effective in reducing hair growth and androgen levels, but may decrease libido.
47 citations,
August 2000 in “Endocrine Reviews” The document concludes that more research is needed to understand excessive hair growth in women with normal hormone levels and regular ovulation.
45 citations,
January 2008 in “Drugs” Dutasteride effectively treats enlarged prostate, reduces prostate cancer risk, and promotes hair regrowth with few side effects.
44 citations,
October 2010 in “BJUI” 5-α-reductase inhibitors reduce prostate cancer risk but may cause sexual dysfunction and don't affect high-grade tumor or death rates.
41 citations,
March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
37 citations,
January 2015 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” An extract from Quercus acutissima bark was found to reduce sebum production and block an enzyme linked to acne.
32 citations,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
28 citations,
January 2003 in “Urologic oncology” Suppressing certain hormones might help prevent prostate cancer.
28 citations,
February 1999 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Finasteride potentially treats hair loss by reducing DHT production.
27 citations,
January 2017 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” The enzyme 5α-reductase is key in causing psychotic-like effects from sleep deprivation.
27 citations,
July 2012 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Higher caspase-1 levels found in balding scalps; reducing it may help treat hair loss.
27 citations,
January 2001 in “Endocrine Practice” Finasteride cream reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism, but more research needed.
25 citations,
March 2017 in “Steroids” Allopregnanolone increases growth and changes gene activity in human brain cancer cells.
22 citations,
May 1999 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Hair loss from genetics and hormones can be treated with drugs or surgery.
20 citations,
October 2018 in “Clinical Drug Investigation” Dutasteride does not impair mental function in elderly men with enlarged prostate.
20 citations,
August 2018 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
20 citations,
March 2017 in “Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology” Women with PCOS have higher 5α-reductase activity, which may be linked to insulin resistance.
18 citations,
November 1994 in “Histochemical Journal” The enzyme PST is found in developing human kidneys and helps with detoxification and development.
17 citations,
January 2013 in “Our Dermatology Online” Dutasteride mesotherapy helps treat male hair loss but may harm sperm and sexual function.
17 citations,
October 2003 in “Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research” The gene SDR5A1 is found in scalp hair of both hirsute and normal individuals, but it does not explain differences in hair growth.
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.
15 citations,
March 1997 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride shows promise for treating hair loss and excessive hair growth, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
15 citations,
June 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride doesn't affect erections much, but may decrease libido in men.
14 citations,
December 2011 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Phyto-vesicles of β-sitosterol may effectively treat hair loss.