Does Propecia Affect Fertility?
Propecia also called finasteride is a drug used to treat enlarged prostate glands in men. Propecia is also used as a treatment for male pattern baldness or hair loss. Propecia should be taken orally and you may find a decrease in hair loss. It may take few months for hair growth. The medicine should be continued for years to gain maximum benefit. If you stop it in middle you may lose the hair you had gained.
Propecia works by preventing the action of enzyme 5 alpha reductase that lowers the levels of DHT in the body. DHT is believed to damage the hair follicles and cause hair loss in men who are genetically disposed. Thus by reducing the levels of DHT it prevents hair loss. But one of the most controversial questions regarding propecia these days is that whether it affects fertility? Is there any link between propecia and fertility? The answer is no. Propecia doesn't affect fertility. Let's see how.
Recent studies have shown that there is no link between propecia and fertility. Nearly 95 percent of the men using propecia don't experience any side effects but others may experience some side effects.
Some of the Sexual Side Effects of Propecia include:
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Decreased amount of ejaculate.
- Ejaculation disorders.
- Decreased libido.
- Impotence.
- Decrease in semen volume.
- Testicular pain.
- Decreased sex drive
Other Side Effects of Propecia that are experienced which are no not related to Fertility includes:
These are some of the side effects caused by the consumption of propecia. Sexual dysfunction or difficulty in achieving erection is no where concerned with infertility. The decrease in amount of ejaculate is one of the side effects of propecia but it doesn't affect fertility levels. Further decrease in amount of ejaculate is not related with decrease in libido.
Propecia may decrease the volume of semen but it doesn't decrease sperm count. If you experience pain in testicles you can immediately consult your health care provider. Any man who is trying to become a father should not take propecia as the active ingredient in propecia is very dangerous for growing fetus. And can be passed via sperm. Pregnant women should not even handle it as it may be absorbed through skin and affect the fetus.
High doses of propecia may be dangerous therefore you should not exceed the prescribed amount. Further keep it away from children. Thus propecia can cause only sexual side effects and it doesn't affect fertility. But if you are still uncomfortable with these side effects and concerned about fertility you can stop the use of propecia and try other medications. Stopping propecia resolves the problems but can again lead to hair loss. So it's suggested that advice from medical expert must be taken, whether to continue with propecia treatment or to stop.