Dutasteride Alternatives

A prescription 5α-reductase type-II inhibitor that lowers DHT to treat male pattern hair loss (1 mg, Propecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (5 mg, Proscar). The hair and prostate benefits are well-proven in large RCTs. The honest caveats are real and prominent: sexual side effects (erectile dysfunction, decreased libido) in a minority of men, a disputed but important 'post-finasteride syndrome' with persistent symptoms, and a depression/suicidality safety signal in pharmacovigilance data. It is NOT a longevity drug.

A phytosterol-rich cold-pressed oil studied for prostate, hair, and cardiovascular support. The honest verdict: small RCTs show modest BPH, hair, and blood-pressure benefits — but the trials are few and tiny, and it underperforms standard drugs like tamsulosin for BPH.

A potassium-channel-opening vasodilator — originally an oral antihypertensive — whose well-documented hypertrichosis side effect made it the first FDA-approved hair-loss drug. Topical 2–5% (Rogaine) is OTC and proven in androgenetic alopecia; low-dose ORAL minoxidil (LDOM, ~0.25–5 mg) is an off-label, rapidly adopted alternative with real but generally mild cardiovascular/hypertrichosis side effects. A drug, not a supplement — and not a longevity compound.

Plant sterol that reduces BPH urinary symptoms in clinical trials and blocks intestinal cholesterol absorption.

African cherry bark extract that improves urinary flow and reduces nighttime urination in men with BPH — used clinically since the 1960s.

Herbal support for prostate health and urinary symptoms, often combined with saw palmetto for BPH.