title: Finasteride and fertility: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Although millions of men have taken or are taking finasteride, there are no documented cases of successful pregnancy in the literature after discontinuation of the drug. Early studies did not show significant influence of finasteride on semen parameters, whereas some recent observations have suggested that in subfertile patients, the effects of the drug might be amplified. Therefore, counseling is particularly difficult for men taking finasteride and planning pregnancy. We report the case of a couple whose male partner had used finasteride for approximately 10 years and who presented for primary infertility. The first semen analysis, carried out 3 months after finasteride cessation, revealed severe oligospermia. One month later, sperm concentration increased, and the following month, the couple spontaneously conceived. A healthy baby was delivered at full term. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of successful full-term pregnancy and live birth after long-term use of finasteride, which suggests that treatment with finasteride, even after several years, does not prevent normal conception. However, caution should be advised with the use of finasteride in male partners of couples who are attempting to become pregnant.
authors: Assisted Reproduction Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste, Italy. ricci@burlo.trieste.it
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Ricci
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Martinelli
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Luppi
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Lo Bello
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: De Santis
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Skerk
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Zito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000139:chemically induced; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D013076:Sperm Count
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride