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

Studysummary This study concluded that daily treatment with 1 mg finasteride did not affect spermatogenesis or semen production in young men and had small, reversible effects on prostate volume and serum PSA.

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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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Research cited in this study

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research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In male pattern hair loss, this study found that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly slowed hair loss and increased hair growth over two years compared to placebo.

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

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

1054 citations , February 1998 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, men with benign prostatic hyperplasia who took finasteride for four years experienced reduced urinary symptoms, fewer surgeries, less acute urinary retention, increased urinary flow rates, and decreased prostate volume.

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

34 citations , January 1998 in “European Urology”

This study concluded that finasteride may safely reduce prostate size and improve urinary symptoms for at least six years in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, though further improvements beyond six months are unlikely.

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

61 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.

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

9 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

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

37 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

The study observed that finasteride reduced fertility in male Sprague-Dawley rats by impairing the formation of copulatory plugs, an effect considered specific to rats and not applicable to species without this reproductive feature.

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

28 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

Finasteride temporarily lowers male rat fertility without affecting libido.