TLDR Finasteride may cause male infertility, stopping it can help.
This document discusses a case study of a male patient who experienced infertility while taking finasteride for androgenic alopecia. After discontinuing the medication, the patient's semen volume and sperm concentration improved. The authors suggest that finasteride at a dose of 1 mg may have an adverse effect on male fertility in cases of pre-existing subfertility, and cessation of the drug could be taken into consideration in infertile male patients with impaired semen parameters who are taking finasteride at the 1-mg dose.
11 citations,
March 2010 in “International Journal of Andrology” Finasteride 1-mg doesn't harm sperm or pregnancy chances.
195 citations,
February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Dutasteride and finasteride may reduce sperm count and volume but don't affect movement or shape; effects are reversible after stopping.
34 citations,
January 2004 in “Revista do Hospital das Clínicas” Finasteride may worsen infertility in men with existing issues, but stopping it can improve sperm health.
104 citations,
October 1999 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.
54 citations,
September 2013 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride can reduce fertility in some men, but stopping it increases sperm count.
15 citations,
March 2020 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” Finasteride may cause lasting sexual, mental, and physical symptoms; use with caution.
77 citations,
June 2015 in “Nature Reviews Urology” Some common medications can harm male fertility, but many effects can be reversed.
2 citations,
January 2011 in “Yearbook of Urology” Stopping finasteride can improve sperm count in infertile men.
195 citations,
February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Dutasteride and finasteride may reduce sperm count and volume but don't affect movement or shape; effects are reversible after stopping.
