How to reduce risk of birth defects after being on finasteride, avodart and spiro for hair loss (female).

I always advise women on long term antiandrogens to review their specific situation and plans with their obstetrician and health care providers. In general, I advise my patients on oral or topical spironolactone to wait 1 month. Women on oral or topical finasteride to wait 2 months. My preference is 12 months for oral or topical dutasteride.There is not alot of evidence to guide us as to what the waiting period should be. It is largely determined by the half life in blood but also how it distributes in tissue. The half life of active metabolites of spironolactone is 10-35 hours. The half life of finasteride is 6-8 hours. Dutasteride has a half life of 6 weeks.

You should be off of these medications for up to a year to be completely safe. Some doctors may say half the time.