FINASTERIDE 1 MG/DAILY DECREASES SPERMATOGENESIS, IMPAIRS SPERM MATURITY, DECREASES TESTOSTERONE AND INCREASES LH LEVELS IN YOUNG MEN IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE: INITIAL REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: The effect of finasteride 1mg/daily on spermatogenesis and its increased use by young males to treat and to prevent male baldness is of concern for the proportion and widespread of prescriptions by dermatologists unaware of its potential reproductive effects. Methods: We studied 19 male subjects who came for an initial andrological evaluation and compared results with a group of age-matched 174 pre-vasectomy candidates with no risk factors for sperm/testicular dysfunction. Each patient filled a complete medical report that includes habits and lifestyle patterns: use of drugs/medication. Patients who self-reported use of finasteride 1mg for more than one year were included. Results: Finasteride users had significantly decreased: Total Sperm Count (p=0.005), Total Motile Sperm Count (p=0.011) and Total Motility (p=0.022) and increased immotile sperm (p=0.02). Total testosterone levels were decreased (p=0.03) and LH levels were increased (p=0.001). Creatine-kinase activity which is a marker of sperm immaturity was increased in finasteride users (p=0.009). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that finasteride use in young patients may be contraindicated if they are willing to father their own offspring. We do not yet know the long-term effects on male reproductive health and recovery rate after discontinuation, but this study highlights new information on counseling patients by andrologists and points to a better evaluation of male reproductive and sexual health before prescribing finasteride by dermatologists and other health professionals.