March 2014 in “Human Physiology” DHEA improved brain function and behavior in old monkeys and had additional health benefits.
June 2021 in “Archives of Advances in Biosciences” Finasteride reduces sperm count and quality and alters hormone levels in mice.
November 2020 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride might affect memory by impacting cholinergic system.
658 citations,
June 2003 in “Endocrine reviews” Male hormones may play a role in the development of heart disease, and more research is needed to understand their effects.
451 citations,
March 2005 in “Endocrine Reviews” The enzyme steroid sulfatase is linked to breast cancer and other conditions, and inhibitors are being developed for treatment.
153 citations,
March 2017 in “Endocrine” Male pattern baldness involves genetics, hormones, and needs better treatments.
142 citations,
January 2019 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Postpartum depression is linked to changes in brain chemicals, inflammation, stress, and certain genes, and can potentially be identified by markers like specific steroids, serotonin levels, and vitamin D levels.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
134 citations,
June 2005 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.
123 citations,
December 2015 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” New targets for making and using brain-synthesized steroids could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and alcoholism.
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.
81 citations,
June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.
72 citations,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
69 citations,
July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy” Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.
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.
65 citations,
October 2008 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” 58 citations,
April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.
54 citations,
May 2018 in “International journal of risk & safety in medicine” Antidepressants, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and isotretinoin can cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction.
50 citations,
March 2017 in “PeerJ” Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.
48 citations,
July 1996 in “Human & Experimental Toxicology” Human enzymes can detoxify harmful substances but might also increase their cancer risk.
46 citations,
September 2011 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Natural 5α-reduced glucocorticoids might be anti-inflammatory with fewer side effects than current options.
43 citations,
January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology” Finasteride caused long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects in young men with hair loss.
40 citations,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.
38 citations,
April 2018 in “Psychopharmacology/Psychopharmacologia” Blocking CRF-R1 can reduce alcohol intake in stressed mice.
35 citations,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
34 citations,
April 2014 in “Psychopharmacology” Stress and alcohol affect brain chemicals differently in rats, mice, and humans, influenced by genetic differences.
33 citations,
January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
33 citations,
December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.
33 citations,
April 2015 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity” 5α reductase inhibitors treat hair loss but may cause sexual side effects and risks.