... must I be off Finestride 5mg to make sure it's out of my system?
Finasteride - I see there are warnings not to take Finestride while trying to conceive. How long?
Question posted by Jdubs22 on 15 Feb 2016
Last updated on 15 February 2016 by DrDonovan
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3 Answers
DrDonovan
15 Feb 2016
Do men need to stop when fathering a child?
This is an important question and I generally advise all patients to review on a case by case basis with their physicians. Finasteride is found in semen at very, very low concentrations - finasteride is found in semen at doses either undetectable to up to 21 ng/mL. Studies have shown these concentrations do not appear to harm a developing baby. Many men have fathered healthy children while using finasteride.
At the present time, there is no evidence whatsoever that the children (either sons or daughters) of men taking finasteride have a higher risk of birth defects.
However, finasteride may reduce sperm counts and cause temporary infertility in some men. Couples having difficulty conceiving need to be aware of the possibility that the man's use of finasteride could be problematic.
However, if one wants to be sure the drug is out of their system, 1-2 months will suffice.
REFERENCES
Amory J
, Wang C, Swerdloff R, Anawalt B, Matsumoto A, Bremner W, Walker S, Haberer L, Clark R. The effect of 5a-reductase inhibition with dutasteride and finasteride on semen parameters and serum hormones in healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:1659–1665.
Lewis RW, Lieber MM, Hellstrom WJ, et al. The effect of finasteride on semen production and sexual function in normal males. J Urol. 1992;147:398A.
Jdubs22
15 Feb 2016
I am actually a male taking finasteride (5mg) for an enlarged prostate. It is very painful to discontinue, but I will to protect my future child as I see it can pass through sperm. I just can't get a clear answer as to how long I should stop taking the finasteride before TTC. Thanks
DrDonovan
15 Feb 2016
Finasteride is not FDA approved for women of child bearing age. Any use of finasteride by women should be discussed with an expert. Finasteride use by women trying to conceive can bring about significant harm to the baby. Women of child bearing age using finasteride should discuss with their physicians methods of contraception.
I advise women to wait 1-2 months after stopping finasteride before trying to conceive. The drug does have a short half life (6-8 hours) and is mostly cleared out of the body in a few days. In my practice, I advise patients to wait 1-2 months. In many areas of the world, individuals can not donate blood unless they have been off finasteride for 1 months.
Related topics
finasteride, pregnancy, system
Further information
- Finasteride uses and safety info
- Finasteride prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Finasteride (detailed)
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