35 citations,
April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors slightly increase the risk of sexual and mood side effects, and breast growth in men.
30 citations,
May 2019 in “Scientific Reports” Late pregnancy helps repair brain damage in rats due to the GABAergic system.
23 citations,
July 2003 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Finasteride blocks progesterone's effect on absence seizures in rats.
8 citations,
February 2017 in “Clinical Drug Investigation” Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction and depression, which may persist and require hormonal treatment.
7 citations,
June 2016 in “Bone Research” A Chinese family had a child with a specific gene mutation causing vitamin D-resistant rickets, but the child improved with calcium and low-dose calcitriol.
403 citations,
November 2005 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone important for producing sex steroids and has potential health benefits.
223 citations,
December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
99 citations,
October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology” Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.
90 citations,
March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine” Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.
66 citations,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
59 citations,
November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Lower levels of certain brain chemicals are linked to worse PTSD symptoms in men.
46 citations,
May 2009 in “Maturitas” Taking DHEA for a year is generally safe for postmenopausal women but may cause acne and more facial hair without improving metabolism or aging.
31 citations,
February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause serious emotional side effects; doctors should check patients' mental health history before prescribing.
27 citations,
May 2015 in “Neuropharmacology” Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.
25 citations,
March 2017 in “Steroids” Allopregnanolone increases growth and changes gene activity in human brain cancer cells.
20 citations,
June 2017 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Long-term use of dutasteride for enlarged prostate may worsen blood sugar, cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction.
19 citations,
March 2019 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride use can cause depression-like behavior in male rats.
15 citations,
September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology” 14 citations,
March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research” Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.
13 citations,
January 2020 in “Neuroscience” Blocking 5α-reductase can harm memory and brain structure, and increase harmful brain changes in male mice used for Alzheimer's disease research.
13 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Finasteride can treat hair loss, but may have side effects; evaluate and inform patients of risks.
10 citations,
October 2020 in “Microscopy and Microanalysis” Resveratrol helps prevent finasteride-induced damage in male rats, improving reproductive function.
8 citations,
July 2018 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects, needing more research for treatment.
8 citations,
December 2016 in “Revista Medica De Chile” Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction, sperm changes, and affect bone density and metabolism.
5 citations,
April 2021 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Higher DHT levels are linked to fewer hypogonadism symptoms in men with normal testosterone levels.
3 citations,
April 2021 in “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry” Finasteride may affect PNMT, causing side effects.
June 2024 in “Georgetown medical review” Finasteride treats hair loss but may cause low libido, erectile issues, and depression.
December 2023 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” Progesterone initially worsens but later reduces neuropathic pain in mice, through different mechanisms.
November 2023 in “Research Square (Research Square)” Finasteride affects the male rat brain by reducing certain protein activation, but these effects may reverse after stopping the drug.
November 2020 in “Elsevier eBooks” Antiandrogens and androgen inhibitors like spironolactone, finasteride, and dutasteride can treat hair loss and skin conditions, but they have risks and side effects, including potential harm to pregnant women and risks of cancer and heart issues. Herbal remedies also have antiandrogenic effects but lack safety validation.