TLDR Low-dose finasteride may cause fertility issues, but stopping it can improve sperm quality and lead to pregnancy.
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.
38 citations,
December 2010 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride may cause male infertility, stopping it can help.
9 citations,
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104 citations,
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33 citations,
April 2015 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity” 5α reductase inhibitors treat hair loss but may cause sexual side effects and risks.
35 citations,
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20 citations,
April 2012 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride causes lasting fertility decrease in rats.
1 citations,
July 2021 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology” Father's finasteride use may affect son's fertility and testicular function.
54 citations,
September 2013 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride can reduce fertility in some men, but stopping it increases sperm count.
