Propecia-induced spermatogenic failure: a report of two cases.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the results of two cases of azoospermia and severe oligospermia in men during and after cessation of finasteride 1 mg.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Tertiary-care hospital-based clinic for andrology/male infertility.


METHODS
Two patients with azoospermia and severe oligospermia using finasteride 1 mg for hair loss.


METHODS
Discontinuation of finasteride.


METHODS
Improvement in sperm concentration.


RESULTS
Patient A had documented azoospermia over 1 year and was initially booked for a testicular biopsy. Six months after discontinuation of finasteride 1 mg daily he showed improvement in sperm concentration to 5.5 x 10(6)/mL. Patient B had severe oligospermia with a sperm concentration of 4 x 10(6)/mL. Sperm concentration improved to 6.6 then 18.7 x 10(6)/mL at 3 and 6 months after stopping finasteride.


CONCLUSIONS
We report two cases of infertile patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermia who showed significant improvements in sperm concentrations 6 months after the discontinuation of finasteride. In one case, improvement in semen parameters prevented the need for testicular biopsy and corrected the azoospermia. Stopping finasteride in the infertility population may improve semen parameters, and may allow for less invasive fertility treatments.
Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Reproductive Biology Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Kimberly E
KE
Liu
Saleh
S
Binsaleh
Kirk C
KC
Lo
Keith
K
Jarvi
D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride