5-alpha reductase inhibitor
5-alpha reductase inhibitor
5-alpha reductase inhibitors (pronunciation: five-al-fa re-dukt-ase in-hib-it-ors) are a class of medications that inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen.
Etymology
The term "5-alpha reductase inhibitor" is derived from the enzyme it inhibits, 5-alpha reductase. The term "inhibitor" refers to the action of the medication, which is to inhibit or block the function of the enzyme.
Types
There are two types of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Type I and Type II. Type I is primarily found in the sebaceous glands, while Type II is found in the prostate, epidermis, and hair follicles.
Uses
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used in the treatment of conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). They can also be used in hormone therapy for transgender women.
Related Terms
- Androgen: A type of hormone that plays a role in male traits and reproductive activity.
- Enzyme: Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body.
- Testosterone: The main sex hormone in males.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): A hormone derived from testosterone that is more potent and can cause conditions like BPH and male pattern hair loss.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
- Wikipedia's article - 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
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