Decreased Fertility in Male Rats Administered the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, Due to Deficits in Copulatory Plug Formation

Finasteride can reduce semen volume due to prostate shrinkage but doesn't affect fertility. To increase semen volume, consider zinc, lecithin, and reducing finasteride dosage.

A user noticed watery semen and decreased volume after a week of using finasteride and asked if taking Zinc, pygeum, and lecithin supplements would affect finasteride's effectiveness. The conversation is about the side effects of finasteride and potential supplements to counteract them.

Dutasteride can significantly reduce sperm volume, with some users experiencing up to a 90% decrease. While some users report adaptation over time, others suggest switching to finasteride if side effects are too severe.

Dutasteride improved hair density and thickness in men who didn't respond to finasteride, with some experiencing transient sexual dysfunction. Users discussed switching from finasteride to dutasteride, noting initial shedding but eventual hair improvement.

FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.

Dutasteride may cause chronic infertility by reducing semen volume and motility, with concerns about irreversible prostate fibrosis. Users consider switching to finasteride or using treatments like minoxidil and microneedling, weighing hair preservation against fertility.