35 citations
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November 2019 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Men and women have different levels and production of brain steroids, which may affect their risk for certain brain disorders.
1 citations
,
January 2015 in “Journal of Clinical Toxicology” Babies were mostly born healthy from fathers who took finasteride, but some pregnancies ended early; more research is needed.
2 citations
,
July 2021 in “Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery” Exposure to the hair loss drug finasteride during pregnancy can cause genital anomalies in male babies, but not in female babies. It's best to avoid this drug in women who could potentially become pregnant.
3 citations
,
June 2018 in “International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy” Baby born healthy despite mom taking finasteride, but more research needed.
1 citations
,
July 2010 in “PubMed”
2 citations
,
April 2019 in “Journal of Internal Medicine” Men using steroids or finasteride to look more attractive may harm their fertility and sexual function, creating a paradox where they seem fit but may be less able to reproduce.
5 citations
,
December 2012 in “PubMed” Stopping the use of the drug finasteride can improve sperm count and does not prevent normal conception, but caution is advised when trying to conceive.
Finasteride causes reproductive malformations in male rats.
Finasteride causes reproductive changes in male rats.
November 2005 in “The Journal of Urology” 2 citations
,
December 2001 in “PubMed” 1 citations
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January 2010 in “Endocrine abstracts”
15 citations
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October 2012 in “International Urology and Nephrology” Low-dose finasteride may cause fertility issues, but stopping it can improve sperm quality and lead to pregnancy.
1 citations
,
July 2021 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology” Father's finasteride use may affect son's fertility and testicular function.
118 citations
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May 2003 in “Toxicological Sciences” Exposure to finasteride in the womb caused lasting reproductive issues in male rats.
32 citations
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September 2011 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” Inhibiting 5α-reductase during late pregnancy shortens gestation, reduces litter size, and harms memory in rat offspring.
May 2022 in “Reactions Weekly”
8 citations
,
January 1991 in “European Urology” Finasteride lowers DHT levels and raises testosterone in a dose-dependent way.
December 2025 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Finasteride is risky during pregnancy, but the chance of harm from a male partner taking it is low if handled safely.
May 1999 in “Drugs & Therapy Perspectives” Finasteride helps increase or maintain hair in most men but can cause sexual side effects and should not be used by women, especially during pregnancy.
581 citations
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October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.
November 1998 in “Hair transplant forum international” Finasteride is considered to have a low risk to fetuses.
9 citations
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September 1996 in “PubMed” September 2004 in “Urology” Finasteride may reduce prostate cancer risk.
December 2025 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Pregnant women should avoid handling crushed finasteride tablets, but exposure through a male partner's semen is minimal.
1 citations
,
August 2012 in “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics” Finasteride can help induce ovulation and lead to a healthy birth in some women.
18 citations
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January 2002 in “Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin/Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin” New pregnane derivatives were more effective than finasteride at inhibiting a key enzyme for male pattern baldness.
55 citations
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March 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride may treat baldness but less effective for those with 5α-reductase deficiency.
31 citations
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January 2001 in “PubMed”
March 2013 in “Reactions Weekly” A man's fertility improved after he stopped taking finasteride but worsened again when he restarted the medication.