{"id":18832,"date":"2020-01-03T12:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T12:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=18832"},"modified":"2026-05-27T19:15:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T19:15:22","slug":"5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/prostate-health\/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors: BPH Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that affects a significant number of men.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe symptoms can be uncomfortable, making it difficult to urinate normally, as well as causing sexual dysfunction.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia significantly increases with age.\n\n\n\n\n\nBy the age of 40, only 8% of men will experience signs that are associated with this condition1.\n\n\n\n\n\nBenign prostatic hyperplasia affects the prostate gland. As the condition develops, the prostate gland of the patient becomes enlarged.\n\n\n\n\n\nThis can affect the functioning of the urinary tract and bladder. The result may be urinary tract symptoms, including urinary retention<\/a>, and erectile dysfunction.\n\n\n\n\n
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What are 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors is a term used to describe a family of pharmaceutical drugs, often prescribed to men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia.\n\n\n\n\n\nThese drugs target specific chemicals in the patient\u2019s body to potentially reduce the size of the prostate. It should, however, be noted that not all of these drugs will effectively help to treat the enlarged prostate<\/a>.\n\n\n\n\n\nSome of these drugs, instead only work to assist in reducing the severity of the symptoms.\n\n\n\n\n\nDifferent types of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors have been developed in the last few years2.\n\n\n\n\n\nMale patients are advised to gain more insight and select the drug type that would yield the best results for their specific condition.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Main 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nThe two main options that male patients may be provided with when using a 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor include3:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Dutasteride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nDutasteride is most commonly sold under the brand name Avodart. It can relieve urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostates.\n\n\n\n\n\nHowever, Dutasteride is not without side effects<\/a>. It can lead to loss of libido, sexual problems, depression adn heart failure.\n\n\n\n\n\nTherefore, natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can be a good way to relieve BPH symptoms without adverse side effects.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Finasteride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nFinasteride<\/a> is marketed as either Proscar or Propecia. It prevents the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase from converting\u00a0testosterone<\/a>\u00a0into DHT. This helps to shrink the prostate. Studies show Finasteride reduces intraprostatic DHT levels by 91.4%.\n\n\n\n\n\nHowever, this treatment is not without side effects. In placebo-controlled studies, 8.1 % of men reported regular impotence, 6.4 % of men reported\u00a0decreased libido<\/a>, and 3.7% of men saw a decreased volume of ejaculate.\n\n\n\n\n\nTherefore, natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can be a good way to shrink the prostate without adverse side effects.\n\n\n\n\n
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How do 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nMen who are considering the use of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors<\/a> should know about the options available. They should also have an understanding of how these drugs work as well.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe male body contains a specific enzyme that is called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme helps the body convert the testosterone <\/a>into a different hormone, known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both of these hormones play essential roles in the male body.\n\n\n\n\n\nMedications like Finasteride and Dutasteride contain chemicals that act against the function of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen the function of this enzyme is inhibited, it means less testosterone in the male body will be converted into dihydrotestosterone<\/a>.\n\n\n\n\n\nThis means there will be more testosterone hormones in the male patient\u2019s body. Meanwhile, the amount of dihydrotestosterone circulating will start to decline with the continued use of the 5-Alpha reductase inhibitor.\n\n\n\n\n\nDihydrotestosterone might be useful for specific functions in the body. Still, it is essential to note that this particular hormone may contribute to two common issues in the male population.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe two conditions commonly associated with elevated DHT levels in the male body include:\n\n\n\n\n