Dutasteride is a medication primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men, but it has gained significant attention as a treatment for male and female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). This hair loss condition is characterized by thinning hair and baldness, particularly at the crown and temples in men, while women often experience diffuse thinning throughout the scalp.

Mechanism of Action

Dutasteride is classified as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen that plays a key role in hair loss. DHT binds to androgen receptors in hair follicles, leading to their miniaturization and eventual death, which results in hair thinning and loss. By reducing DHT levels, dutasteride helps to preserve hair follicles, prolong the hair growth cycle, and promote hair regrowth.