Treatment FAQ

what is alpha-reductase treatment

by Prof. Chelsie Keebler Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Information 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss.

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
5α-Reductase reduces the steroid Δ4,5 double bond in testosterone to its more active form DHT. Thus, inhibition results in decreased amounts of DHT. Because of this, slight elevations in testosterone and estradiol levels occur.
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are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss. Drugs in this class are finasteride (marketed as Proscar [finasteride 5 mg] and Propecia [finasteride 1 mg]) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart).
Oct 14, 2016

Full Answer

What are 5 alpha reductase inhibitors?

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Information. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss.

How do 5-alpha reductase inhibitors work for hair loss?

How do 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors work for hair loss? 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors work by reducing the amount of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body, and thus, the scalp. DHT in the scalp can damage the hair follicles, causing them to shrink.

Are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Researchers describe 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as a highly effective option for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially when compared to the efficacy offered by alternative options. Specifically, the researchers noted that a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor could effectively reduce the prostate volume in patients with BPH.

What is the prognosis of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency?

Children with deficiency of 5 alpha-reductase will have decreased production of DHT during fetal development, and this leads to defective external genital development and ambiguous genitalia. [4] Epidemiology The disease is very rare among white patients.

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How do you stop 5a reductase?

Onions (and other foods rich in quercetin) In preclinical studies, quercetin has been shown to inhibit the production of DHT from testosterone by blocking the action of the enzyme alpha-5 reductase and decreasing oxidative stress ( 16 ).

What happens when you block 5-alpha reductase?

This enzyme converts some of the testosterone you produce into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays a role in prostate growth, acne, growth of facial hair, and male pattern baldness. The 5ARIs work by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This decreases the amount of DHT your body produces.

How do 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors work to reduce the symptoms of BPH?

By inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) locally within the prostate gland, 5alpha-reductase inhibitors have the effect of reducing prostate volume, improving lower urinary tract symptoms, increasing peak urinary flow, and decreasing the risk of acute urinary retention and need for surgical ...

WHAT DOES A reductase inhibitor do?

A substance that blocks an enzyme needed by the body to make cholesterol and lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs are called statins.

Is there a treatment for 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

In patients with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency who are raised female, estrogen replacement therapy should be initiated at a bone age of 12 years or once an increase in gonadotropins is observed. The dose is tailored to reach adult replacement levels over a 3-4 year range.

How do I get rid of DHT?

Practicing a healthy lifestyle can help reduce DHT levels naturally. This includes regular exercise, quit smoking, reduce stress, take time to rest, and do scalp exercises like massages to reduce tension and increase blood flow. The herbal route is also an effective natural way to reduce DHT in the body.

What is the latest treatment for enlarged prostate 2021?

Water ablation is a new treatment for prostate enlargement. There are 2 types of water ablation procedure. In the first, water is injected into the prostate using a probe passed up the urethra. The pressure of the water is then used to destroy some of the prostate tissue, making it smaller.

What is the most effective treatment for enlarged prostate?

Alpha blockers. These medications relax bladder neck muscles and muscle fibers in the prostate, making urination easier. Alpha blockers — which include alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Flomax) and silodosin (Rapaflo) — usually work quickly in men with relatively small prostates.

What drugs shrink an enlarged prostate?

What medicines are used to treat an enlarged prostate?Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or terazosin (Hytrin), which relax muscle tissue.5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar), which shrink the prostate.More items...

What causes an increase in 5-alpha reductase?

If such increases in 5α-reductase activity were the result of variation in PCOS susceptibility genes, target tissue androgen action would be enhanced in affected individuals when T was available. Alterations in intracellular steroidogenic enzyme activity could also increase adrenal androgen production.

Which medication is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor?

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss. Drugs in this class are finasteride (marketed as Proscar [finasteride 5 mg] and Propecia [finasteride 1 mg]) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart).

Does finasteride have side effects?

Finasteride can give you side effects such as not being able to get an erection (impotence) and having less interest in sex. These side effects usually pass after a while. If these side effects do not go away, are worrying you or affecting your sex life, speak to your doctor.

What are the effects of 5-alpha-reductase type 2 deficiency in testosterone biosynthesis

Biochemical effects of 5-alpha-reductase type 2 deficiency in testosterone biosynthesis. Typically levels of testosterone are elevated, whereas levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are significantly decreased, leading to male undervirilization. Prader scale reflecting the degree of virilization of the external genitalia.

What is the ultimate goal of treatment?

The ultimate medical goal of treatment is to restore external genitalia as close to a nonambiguous appearance as possible while retaining full sensation, the ability for sexual satisfaction (to include penetrative intercourse), and ideally, fertility.

When is estrogen replacement therapy required?

Estrogen replacement therapy is required for the initiation of puberty. This therapy is typically started after the patient has attained a bone age of 12 years or once an increase in gonadotropin levels (luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) is noted.

Can a 5-alpha-reductase deficiency be fertile?

Patients with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency who have not undergone feminizing procedures may be fertile; however, most of this subpopulation require in vitro fertilization or other assisted-fertilization techniques. [ 30, 31] Sperm counts are typically very low, with abnormal spermatogenesis and thick ejaculate. Previous.

What Conditions Do 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Treat?

Finasteride and dutasteride are approved to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy and male pattern hair loss. ‌

How Do 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Work?

The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is present in your liver, skin, and prostate. This enzyme converts some of the testosterone you produce into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays a role in prostate growth, acne, growth of facial hair, and male pattern baldness. The 5ARIs work by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

What Is the Difference Between Finasteride and Dutasteride?

Both finasteride and dutasteride inhibit the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This enzyme has two smaller parts, called isoenzymes. Type 1 is found mainly in the liver and skin, with smaller amounts in the prostate. Type 2 is found mainly in the prostate, with a little bit found in the skin and liver. ‌

What Are the Side Effects of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors?

Both finasteride and dutasteride have similar side effects. Both medicines have been linked to slightly increased rates of:

What is 5-Alpha Reductase inhibitor?

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors is a term used to describe a family of pharmaceutical drugs, often prescribed to men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. These drugs target specific chemicals in the patient’s body to potentially reduce the size of the prostate.

How many types of 5-alpha-reductase are there?

It is vital to take note that there are two types of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes present in the human body. Not all of the pharmaceutical drugs used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia will inhibit the functioning of both enzyme types.

What enzyme converts testosterone into a different hormone?

This enzyme helps the body convert the testosterone into a different hormone, known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both of these hormones play essential roles in the male body.

Which enzymes can finasteride interact with?

5-alpha-reductase enzyme type 2. Dutasteride is a pharmaceutical drug that we know can interact with both of these enzymes. Finasteride, on the other hand, only interact with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme type 1.

Can 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors shrink prostate?

Therefore, natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can be a good way to shrink the prostate without adverse side effects.

Is 5-Alpha Reductase effective?

Studies prove 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are effective in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Men with this condition have to take note of the adverse events that may occur when they use these drugs. There are alternative treatment options for patients with BPH.

What are 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor medications?

The class of drugs called 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors includes two medications, Finasteride and Dutasteride.

Which 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are used for hair loss?

Both Finasteride and Dutasteride are commonly used for hair loss treatment.

How do 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors work for hair loss?

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors work by reducing the amount of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body, and thus, the scalp.

Who can use 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors?

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are only approved for men, and women should not use or handle this medication.

Where can you find 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors?

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are prescription medications, so you need a prescription from a doctor in order to use Finasteride or Dutasteride.

Strut Health 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for hair loss prescribed online

Here at Strut Health, we have a passion for helping people look and feel their best, and that includes loving the way your hair looks.

Reishi mushroom

Reishi mushroom is one of the new kids on the block when it comes to DHT blockers. It is not as well known yet, but initial trials are promising as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is probably the most well-known and also controversial 5AR inhibitor, due to the variation in results and side effects associated with high oral dosages.

Green tea

Green tea has been consumed for centuries, and it is even been used in a wide variety of therapeutic and cosmetic products. This is because it has an array of beneficial components (including antioxidants such as EGCG) which make it an effective natural ingredient.

Conclusion

Propecia is a popular prescription drug used to treat male-pattern baldness. It is not the only substance that can slow the production of DHT, though.

Overview

Alpha-blockers are medications that treat high blood pressure. They can also treat some conditions affecting the circulatory system, prostate, and help with treating certain types of tumors. They work by slowing down specific types of cell activity in your nervous system.

Recovery and Outlook

Depending on the medication and the treated condition, you can take selective A1-blockers for extended periods. Non-selective alpha-blockers are meant for short-term use.

When to Call the Doctor

In general, you should contact your provider if you have any questions about your medications or any sudden changes in your symptoms, especially when side effects or symptoms interfere with your regular activities.

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