Chronic Treatment with Finasteride Daily Does Not Affect Spermatogenesis or Semen Production in Young Men

October 1999 in “ The Journal of Urology ”

James W. Overstreet, Vivian L. Fuh, John Gould, Stuart S. Howards, Michael M. Lieber, Wayne J.G. Hellstrom, Sander S. Shapiro, Peter R. Carroll, RANDLE S. CORFMAN, Steven Petrou, Ronald W. Lewis, Phillip D Toth, T. Shown, Johnny B. Roy, Jonathan P. Jarow, Jaime Bonilla, Carol A. Jacobsen, Daniel I. C. Wang, Keith D. Kaufman

finasteride hair loss treatment spermatogenesis semen production fertility prostate volume serum PSA ejaculate volume Propecia

TLDR Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.

A study found that chronic use of finasteride for hair loss treatment does not affect sperm production or semen quality in young men, indicating that it is safe to use without affecting fertility. The drug's effects on prostate volume and serum PSA were minimal and reversible upon discontinuation. However, there was a slight decrease in ejaculate volume. Overall, the study concluded that taking finasteride daily for a long time does not harm male fertility.

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Chronic Treatment with Finasteride Daily Does Not Affect Spermatogenesis or Semen Production in Young Men

Research cited in this study

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research The Effect of Finasteride on the Risk of Acute Urinary Retention and the Need for Surgical Treatment Among Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research Maximum Efficacy of Finasteride Is Obtained Within 6 Months and Maintained Over 6 Years

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients With Male Pattern Baldness

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

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

research Reversible Decreases of Fertility in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats Treated Orally with Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

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