Using oral DHT blockers like Finasteride is a terrible idea. It reduces DHT and therefore prevents hair loss, but it also reduces DHT all over the rest of your body. DHT is really important for building muscle, maintaining libido and basically anything related to being a man. If you take away the DHT, you take away your male characteristics and you basically become more like a woman. So you don’t want to reduce DHT in your body (unless you’re a woman with abnormally high DHT levels). But you do want to prevent DHT from binding with the follicles in your scalp in order to prevent hair loss. So, how can you do that without reducing DHT elsewhere? Easy…
You can introduce another compound that will compete with DHT to bind with the receptors — therfore making less receptors available because the other compound has already bound with them.
OK, so ket’s get started…
Which other compounds bind with DHT receptors?
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics. It is primarily used as a diuretic to remove excess sodium and water from the body, making it useful in conditions such as edema, heart failure, and hypertension. Spironolactone is also an anti-androgen medication, meaning it has the ability to counteract the effects of androgens (male sex hormones) in the body.
Spironolactone works as an anti-androgen primarily by blocking androgen receptors. Here’s how it works:
Competitive Binding: Spironolactone competes with androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), for binding to androgen receptors. By binding to these receptors, spironolactone prevents the androgens from exerting their effects.
Inhibition of Androgen Production: Additionally, spironolactone can inhibit the production of androgens. It does this by interfering with enzymes involved in androgen synthesis. By reducing the body’s production of androgens, spironolactone further decreases the overall androgen activity in the body.
This anti-androgenic effect is what makes spironolactone useful in the treatment of conditions where reducing androgen activity is beneficial, such as in hirsutism (excessive hair growth), androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), and certain androgen-related skin conditions like acne.
It’s important to note that spironolactone has other effects in the body due to its diuretic properties, including the regulation of potassium levels. Due to these effects, spironolactone should only be taken under the supervision and prescription of a healthcare provider. The provider can assess the individual’s specific condition and determine the appropriate dosage and usage to achieve the desired therapeutic effects while managing potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
Should you try it?
RU58841
RU58841 is an experimental compound that falls under the category of nonsteroidal anti-androgens. It is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) and is under investigation for its potential in treating androgen-related conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) and acne.
The exact mechanism of action of RU58841 is not yet fully elucidated, and research on this compound is still in the early stages. However, it is believed to work by competitively binding to androgen receptors, thereby blocking the action of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By occupying the androgen receptors, RU58841 prevents these hormones from binding to the receptors and exerting their effects on the body’s tissues, including hair follicles.
The competitive binding of RU58841 to androgen receptors means that the compound competes with natural androgens for binding sites on these receptors. By doing so, RU58841 may interfere with the signaling pathways that androgens initiate, potentially mitigating the effects of androgens on hair follicles and other tissues.
It’s important to note that while RU58841 shows promise as an anti-androgen compound in preliminary studies, it is not yet approved for medical use, and its safety and efficacy in humans are not well-established. Research on RU58841 and similar compounds is ongoing, and further studies are needed to determine their effectiveness, safety profile, and optimal usage in the treatment of androgen-related conditions.
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Individuals interested in using experimental or non-FDA-approved substances like RU58841 should exercise extreme caution. Self-medication without the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider can lead to serious health risks and complications. Always consult with a healthcare professional before considering the use of such compounds for any medical condition.
Progesterone
Certain progesterone analogs and formulations may counteract the effects of androgens, although their use and effectiveness can vary.
Progesterone is a hormone that belongs to the class of steroids known as progestogens. While primarily known for its roles in the female reproductive system, it also has anti-androgenic properties, meaning it can counteract the effects of androgens (male sex hormones) in the body, including in the scalp.
The mechanisms by which progesterone blocks androgen receptors are complex and not fully elucidated. However, several ways have been proposed through which progesterone and its metabolites can exert their anti-androgenic effects:
Competitive Binding: Progesterone can competitively bind to androgen receptors, meaning it competes with androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for binding sites on these receptors. By binding to the receptors, progesterone prevents androgens from attaching to the receptors and exerting their effects. This competitive binding can inhibit the signaling pathways initiated by androgens.
Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase: Progesterone has been suggested to inhibit the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. By reducing DHT production, progesterone indirectly decreases the available DHT that can bind to androgen receptors.
Altering Androgen Metabolism: Progesterone and its metabolites may influence the metabolism of androgens in the body, leading to reduced levels of active androgens, including DHT.
Should you try it?
It’s important to note that while progesterone has anti-androgenic properties, its effectiveness in managing androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) or other androgen-related conditions can vary among individuals. Additionally, the use of progesterone for hair loss or any other medical condition should be done under the supervision and guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Self-medication without professional advice can lead to adverse effects and complications. Healthcare providers can assess an individual’s specific situation, recommend appropriate treatments, and monitor their progress to ensure safe and effective outcomes.
Cyproterone Acetate
Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is an anti-androgen medication that works by binding to androgen receptors in the body. It is a synthetic steroidal anti-androgen with progestational and anti-gonadotropic properties. By binding to androgen receptors, CPA competitively inhibits the effects of androgens, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which are responsible for various androgen-related functions in the body.
CPA is used for a variety of medical purposes, including the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne, androgen-related skin conditions, and as a component of hormone replacement therapy in transgender women. It is also used as a component of some oral contraceptive pills to provide contraception and treat severe acne or hirsutism.
The binding of CPA to androgen receptors helps to counteract the effects of androgens, making it useful in conditions where reducing the influence of androgens is beneficial. However, as with any medication, CPA should only be used under the supervision and prescription of a qualified healthcare provider due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications or health conditions.
Should you try it?
Although topical formulations are intended for localized treatment, there is always a possibility of systemic absorption, especially if the skin barrier is compromised (e.g., due to cuts or abrasions). Systemic absorption could lead to hormonal imbalances and related side effects.
Unknown Long-Term Effects: The long-term effects of topical cyproterone acetate are not well-studied, especially when used for extended periods. This lack of data raises concerns about potential unknown risks associated with prolonged use.
Will I be trying any of these treatments?
Although I think these are great possible treatments for hair loss they need further testing. I would consider using the milder and more tested topicals, like Spironilactone at small doses. My worry with these treatments is that of they absorb into the bloodstream the antri androgen effects will occur in other areas of the body, which might not be desirable.
I’ll be thinking about this more and researching further before I consider adding compounds like this to my topical.
