Propecia and fertility. Does propecia lower fertility?

Question

I am losing hair at my crown and think only propecia will prolong it. However i do not want to take it if there is any risk to my fertility. I have heard varying reports. What is the consensus?

Christopher Varona, DO · Answer

Tough question. While most
studies have shown that while finasteride can decrease ejaculate volume in some
men, most indicate it does not change fertility. There have been small studies
looking at men with low initial sperm counts that did indicate the discontinuation
of finasteride led to an increased sperm count. Couples planning for children
should discuss their comfort level in taking any medication including
finasteride. In my practice I have some men that stop taking finasteride and
others that continue throughout the pregnancy without issues. My advice is
usually to continue the finasteride but keep the pills away from the mother
because there is concern of birth defects in a pregnant female that absorbs the
medication thru her skin.

Men with the signs of male
pattern baldness may be good candidates for finasteride. This prescription
medication is many times a logical first step in addressing thinning, before or
sometime s concurrently with hair restoration surgery. It typically works
better on the crown than the front, although I have seen in practice some men
in the very early stages that did have changes on the hairline with
finasteride. The hair loss will likely increase with age to some degree
regardless of your taking finasteride but at a much slower rate. The goal is to
keep as much native hair as possible while other, possibly stronger, methods of
prevention are researched. If you decide against finasteride then treatments
such as Minoxidil (either over the counter or a compounded version), Laser and
Stem Cell Therapy often yield positive results with my patients.

If you are concerned with
thinning hair, it is wise to address it early. Find a physician that
specializes in hair restoration and come in to discuss options and maintain a
relationship to track the progression whether you are considering surgery or
not. As with most health concerns, prevention is key :)

Dr. Christopher Varona, DO

Ziering Medical

Levent Acar, MD · Answer

Many studys about the propecia, it is on of the best medicine for reduce or stop the hair loss, it can have  some side effects which is really rare. You can try it, if you feel side effect you can just reduce the dose.

Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD, FACS · Answer

Propecia seems to work well with most patients however I have had many patients that have reported a decreased interest in sexual activity. I had 1 patient that had been on the product for 5 years with no issues and then it happened etc...So with any medication there will always be a risk. You have to decide if the reward is worth the risk.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

The consensus is that it Propecia probably will not affect fertility, but there may be risks.  A 2012 revision to both the Propecia and Proscar labels include a description of reports of male infertility and/or poor semen quality that normalized or improved after drug discontinuation.If you are concerned about this then speak to your doctor.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Propecia is a FDA approved medications. That is used for hair growth.  Like may other medications it does have side effect.  We always recommend that our clients are aware of the side effects before using any medications.  If you are young and concerned about fertility, you may want to think twice before starting on a medication that may have this risk as one of its side effects.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

There are some reports that Propecia and produce infertility in a small number of men (possibly less than 1:10,000 men). This drug also does drop the amount of semen you will have which is seen in 20% of men on this drug, but the semen has a high enough sperm count usually as it had normally in those men.  Many men have successfully produced pregnancy with this drug so there does not seem to be a problem in that regard; however, you must work out with your doctor the risk/reward issues as it relates to your hair loss and this is an individual assessment be each man taking the drug.

Propecia and fertility. Does propecia lower fertility?

Answers (6)

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