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.
73 citations,
June 2001 in “Endocrinology” Prolactin affects when mice shed and grow hair.
58 citations,
January 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.
40 citations,
July 2016 in “Pediatrics in review” Puberty involves complex hormonal changes, varies by gender and ethnicity, and requires careful monitoring for abnormalities.
34 citations,
January 2008 in “International Review of Neurobiology” Epilepsy and certain epilepsy drugs can lead to reproductive problems in women, but changing medication might improve these issues.
34 citations,
January 1998 in “European Urology” Finasteride works best in 6 months and lasts 6 years.
32 citations,
February 2016 in “Journal of Dermatology” Dutasteride safely promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss, with mild side effects.
30 citations,
January 2020 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride can cause serious side effects in some men, needing more research for treatment.
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,
August 2018 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” Finasteride may increase erectile dysfunction risk in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
19 citations,
April 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.
17 citations,
September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
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,
January 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.
10 citations,
February 2019 in “Toxicological Sciences” Finasteride exposure affects gene expression and anogenital distance in male rat fetuses.
10 citations,
March 2018 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” More hair loss leads to higher risk of psychosexual disorders, especially in women.
7 citations,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
7 citations,
March 2018 in “Dermatology and therapy” Finasteride is considered the best treatment for hair loss, despite side effects.
6 citations,
April 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.
5 citations,
November 2020 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.