Secondary Infertility Due to Use of Low-Dose Finasteride

October 2012 in “ International Urology and Nephrology ”

Ahmet Salvarci, Okan Istanbulluoglu

finasteride androgenetic alopecia spermatogenic failure sperm DNA damage semen parameters sperm DNA fragmentation index Propecia

Studysummary This case report describes a 40-year-old man whose secondary infertility, observed after prolonged finasteride use for hair loss, resolved following discontinuation of the drug, resulting in a live birth.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This case report describes a 40-year-old man who experienced secondary infertility after prolonged use of low-dose finasteride for androgenetic alopecia. The patient had been using the drug for 8.5 years and had impaired semen parameters and sperm DNA damage. However, after discontinuing the drug, his semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index improved, and his wife became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The study suggests that low-dose finasteride may cause spermatogenic failure and DNA damage, but discontinuing the drug can lead to improvement in semen quality and pregnancy.

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4 / 4 results

research Finasteride-Associated Male Infertility

38 citations , December 2010 in “Fertility and Sterility”

In this case report, a male patient's semen parameters improved after discontinuing a 1-mg dose of finasteride, suggesting that stopping the medication may benefit infertile men with previous sperm production issues.

Therapeutic Hotline: Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia with Finasteride May Result in High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Patients: Fact or Fiction?

research Therapeutic Hotline: Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia with Finasteride May Result in High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Patients: Fact or Fiction?

9 citations , September 2010 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This article concludes that finasteride is a safe treatment for androgenetic alopecia and does not increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer, despite past concerns from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial.

research Propecia-Induced Spermatogenic Failure: A Report of Two Cases

49 citations , December 2007 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This case report describes two infertile patients who experienced significant improvements in sperm concentrations six months after stopping finasteride.

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

104 citations , October 1999 in “The Journal of Urology”

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.