Finasteride-induced secondary infertility associated with sperm DNA damage

[Luckfax]

Here’s one for your lawyers, just published this month. Couldn’t put this in finasteride studies section as it’s locked.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21292254

Finasteride-induced secondary infertility associated with sperm DNA damage.
Tu HY, Zini A.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of low-dose finasteride-induced secondary infertility with associated elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and otherwise normal semen parameters.

DESIGN: Case report.

SETTING: University hospital.

PATIENT(S): A 48-year-old man on low-dose finasteride and his 37-year-old wife with normal menses and normal gynecologic exam.

INTERVENTION(S): Determination of sperm DFI and discontinuation of low-dose finasteride.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm DFI.

RESULT(S): The sperm DFI done a year earlier was 30%. This value was unchanged when repeated 2 months later. The patient was advised to stop finasteride. Three months after discontinuing the finasteride, the DFI decreased to 21% and subsequent DFI after another 3 months improved to 16.5%. To date, there is still no documented full-term pregnancy or live birth.

CONCLUSION(S): The significant reduction in DFI within 3 months of finasteride cessation and continued improvement suggests a causal link between finasteride and sperm DNA damage. We hypothesize that low-dose finasteride may exert a negative influence on sperm DNA integrity, resulting in increased pregnancy losses. We suggest that in infertile men using finasteride, sperm DFI should be measured in addition to semen parameters, and a trial of discontinuation of finasteride may be warranted.

[nyer]

Very interesting.

My wife and I experienced infertility when trying to conceive- specifically many miscarriages for unknown reasons. My sperm analysis always checked out totally fine though, so by default it was assumed it was an egg quality issue with my wife. However, she was very young (age 30-33) when this all occurred, so it was a head scratcher to say the least- even for the doctors. We conceived very quickly each time, but each time lost the babies almost right away. Since they were early losses for the most part, it was presumed that they were chromosomally abnormal, which was blamed on the egg. But maybe it was the sperm all along? This was several years after my finasteride cessation though, so who knows.

(We are now parents of 2 healthy children, fwiw, via IVF).

[boston332]

this is just wonderful…

[Luckfax]

Sperm DNA damage certainly sounds a lot more ominous than less sperm, less motility etc. This perhaps ties in with what the Swedish medical authorities said about it possibly causing epigenetic damage to children and grandchildren.

I’ve personally given up on the idea of kids. I should have done it years ago anyway. Can’t say it was always a big ambition but I presumed it would happen, like I presumed alot of other things would happen before fin f’kd up eveything. Don’t mean to depress or disuade others who may have this desire but even if there was a miracle cure to restore me to the porn star desire of old I wouldn’t have the overall energy to raise a family.

[nyer]

@Luckfax

Sperm DNA damage certainly sounds a lot more ominous than less sperm, less motility etc. This perhaps ties in with what the Swedish medical authorities said about it possibly causing epigenetic damage to children and grandchildren.

Wow, that’s scary. I have a son and daughter. Really hope I haven’t altered their lives for the worse in any way.

[bryce54]

The study does say that improvements were noted once the finasteride use has stopped.

[visionquest99]

@Luckfax

We suggest that in infertile men using finasteride, sperm DFI should be measured in addition to semen parameters, and a trial of discontinuation of finasteride may be warranted.

I guess they used “may” because it’s a small sample size (n=1).

As they document more and more dangerous effects of this drug, let’s hope they’ll then direct their attention to the causes and treatments.

[boston332]

@bryce54

The study does say that improvements were noted once the finasteride use has stopped.

I’m thinking maybe this was referring to the majority of those who recover naturally. Not us, unfortunatley.

[bryce54]

@boston332

@bryce54

The study does say that improvements were noted once the finasteride use has stopped.

I’m thinking maybe this was referring to the majority of those who recover naturally. Not us, unfortunatley.

True… I read that you can goto a sperm bank and get your sperm frozen… I know they check out your sperm, but I’m not sure if it goes as deep into the DNA checking.

I found this website:

malereproduction.com/male-infertility/scsa/

That will give you a lot of information on testing your sperm’s DNA…

This website: scsadiagnostics.com/SCSA_test/fees.cfm
charges $225 + $150 shipping

This website: scsadiagnostics.com/ordernow/scsa_noreferral/index.cfm
charges $375 for canada… could be more.

It looks like its a steep price. I can’t afford this right now… I’m trying to gather money for seeing Crisler later this year. But if some people could afford it, it could be good.

Another thing to add is that based on this study, it didn’t look like this guy had the same sexual side effects that we had because he probably would’ve dropped it. It also didn’t state how long he was on the drug for either.

So I don’t think it’s possible to say that our sperm is also finished until we see some test results. I would want to see JN’s results on those DNA tests as he seems to be fully recovered and someone who hasn’t fully recovered yet.

[3pm]

Another fucking medical handicap thanks to Propecia. We didn’t need any more, but the facts weigh in heavier every day.