Finasteride decreases DHEA-S (adrenals), increases SHBG in women (thus likely men, too?). Also decreased Total/Free Testosterone

Science Other Studies
#1

Note: hirsutism = excessive and increased hair growth in women (often facial).

Comparison of high-dose finasteride (5 mg/day) versus low-dose finasteride (2.5 mg/day) in the treatment of hirsutism

eje-online.org/cgi/reprint/147/4/467.pdf

Page 4:

"… The administration of finasteride is associated with a decrease in DHT and DHEAS levels and an increase in total testosterone levels (9, 11, 22, 24).

In our previous study (10), we have shown that serum E2 and SHBG levels were increased and DHEAS levels were decreased significantly at 12 months.

In other previous studies (9, 25, 26), it has been shown that serum E2 levels in hirsute women during finasteride treatment were unchanged.

In the present study, no significant differences in the FSH, LH, free testosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, SHBG, 17-OHP and DHEAS levels were found in either group.

E2 levels were significantly higher at the end of the 6 and 12 months of therapy when compared with baseline values ðP , 0:05 and P , 0:02Þ only in group II (5mg finasteride/day).

Inhibition of 5a-reductase by finasteride leads to an accumulation of testosterone which is converted to E2 by aromatase (27). It may account for higher levels of E2 after high-dose finasteride therapy.

#2

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Low Dose Flutamide, Finasteride, Ketoconazole, and Cyproterone Acetate-Estrogen Regimens in the Treatment of Hirsutism

jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/84/4/1304

“… The administration of finasteride has been associated with a decrease in DHT plasma values (7, 8, 10) and an increase in T levels (7, 8, 9, 10, 31); moreover, our data showed a decrease in DHAS levels, suggesting a slight inhibitory effect on adrenal steroidogenesis.”

#3

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women*

jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/reprint/80/1/233.pdf

Page 5:

"… Finasteride also caused a small unexpected decrease in DHEAS; future studies are needed to determine whether this is a consistent effect. "

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#4

A comparative study of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and finasteride on idiopathic hirsutism.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entre … xed=google

Bayhan G, Bahçeci M, Demirkol T, Ertem M, Yalinkaya A, Erden AC.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University, Diyarbakir Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of finasteride and GnRH agonist in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.

METHODS: Sixty women with hirsutism were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg of finasteride or long-acting GnRH agonist (depot leuprolide 3.75 mg) intramuscularly monthly for six months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hirsutism scores were measured according to the Ferriman-Gallway scoring system, and side-effects were monitored for six months of treatment. Blood samples were taken at each visit for assessment of endocrine (FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, total and free testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS-S, 17-OH-P. SHBG), biochemical, and hematologic para- meters.

RESULTS: All of the patients treated with finasteride or GnRH agonist showed neither menstrual abnormalities nor side-effects. The mean percent change (+/- SD) in hirsutism scores in the GnRH and finasteride groups was 36% +/- 14% and 14% +/- 11% at six months, respectively.

Serum total testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedion and DHEA-S showed a meaningful decrease in patients treated with GnRH agonist. On the other hand, only serum total testosterone and free testosterone levels decreased with finasteride treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively).

PMID: 11214952 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

#5

I wish I had time to read these reports in detail.

I wonder what the study’s authors say about what other hormones get out of balance when this lowering of Total and Free Testosterone occurs, and what happens.

Does estrogen then become a problem when T drops way off?

#6

It seems there are few studies out there as it concerns women using Propecia for androgenic hair loss. I just had baseline hormone tests done, but am not sure what I might expect, and am more than a little concerned. Are there any women out there with Propecia experience, or anyone with knowledge regarding women’s history with its usage?