March 2023 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, are used for prostate issues, hair loss, and excessive hair growth, may help with COVID-19, but can cause sexual and mental health side effects, and their use in preventing prostate cancer needs more examination.
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.
187 citations,
June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
73 citations,
June 2001 in “Endocrinology” Prolactin affects when mice shed and grow hair.
58 citations,
February 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Obese women with PCOS show a male-like pattern in certain fat tissue gene expressions.
53 citations,
January 1986 in “Endocrinology” Blocking a specific enzyme in male rat fetuses leads to the development of nipples and feminized genitalia.
41 citations,
April 1997 in “Fertility and sterility” Clomiphene citrate can reverse low hormone levels and symptoms in male runners with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
28 citations,
October 1998 in “Baillière's clinical endocrinology and metabolism” Testosterone replacement may help post-menopausal women with androgen insufficiency, but more research is needed on its benefits and risks.
24 citations,
October 2016 in “Oncotarget” Finasteride has a higher risk of reproductive side effects than minoxidil.
21 citations,
March 2018 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may help stabilize or slow down hair loss in some frontal fibrosing alopecia patients, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
20 citations,
May 2019 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
19 citations,
May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
19 citations,
August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil and finasteride can slow or halt hair loss, but may have 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.
14 citations,
March 2019 in “Skin appendage disorders” PFS might be a delusional disorder with potential to become mass psychogenic illness.
12 citations,
January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Negative expectations can cause adverse effects in dermatology treatments, like with finasteride for baldness, and careful communication can help reduce these nocebo responses.
12 citations,
December 2005 in “PubMed” Some men with early hair loss may have similar hormonal changes to women with Polycystic ovary syndrome, and could be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
11 citations,
January 2019 in “Sexual Medicine” Younger transgender women have surgery earlier, are mostly attracted to men, and show more preoperative depression that improves after surgery compared to older transgender women.
10 citations,
May 2019 in “Toxicological Sciences” Finasteride exposure affects gene expression and anogenital distance in male rat fetuses.
7 citations,
March 2018 in “Dermatology and therapy” Finasteride is considered the best treatment for hair loss, despite side effects.
6 citations,
June 2019 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Testosterone therapy for transmasculine individuals is generally safe with medical supervision, improves mental health, and has mixed effects on physical health.
6 citations,
September 2016 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences” Finasteride can cause side effects, some lasting after treatment ends, and may lead to severe depression or suicidal thoughts.
6 citations,
September 2005 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” Androgen therapy can help with symptoms like low libido in women, but more research is needed to understand its long-term safety and effects on health.
5 citations,
January 2021 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause side effects; more research needed.
4 citations,
January 2000 in “PubMed” Early balding in men might be a male hormonal equivalent of polycystic ovaries syndrome in women.
3 citations,
March 2019 in “Post Reproductive Health” Testosterone replacement can help menopausal women with various symptoms, but should be used carefully and is not yet officially licensed in the UK for women.
2 citations,
January 2023 in “Sexual Medicine” The Men's Training Cup Keep Training masturbation aid may help delay ejaculation and improve erectile function.
2 citations,
August 2017 in “European Urology” Using finasteride for hair loss or prostate issues does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
1 citations,
January 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” 5ARI treatment improves hair growth in older men with minimal side effects.