Medication questions Finasteride
Can I take finasteride while trying for a baby?
Short answer
Many men keep taking finasteride 1 mg while trying for a baby, but it is worth a conversation first. A trial found no effect on sperm at this dose, though infertility has occasionally been reported and usually improved after stopping. Only tiny amounts reach semen, and the NHS says the risk to a pregnant partner is unlikely to be significant. Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.
Key facts
- In a 48-week trial of finasteride 1 mg in 181 young men, sperm count, movement and shape were not significantly affected.
- Infertility and poor semen quality have been reported after marketing, with improvement reported after stopping (Propecia SmPC).
- Less than 0.001% of the 1 mg dose has been found per ejaculation.
- Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets.
Does finasteride affect male fertility?
For most men taking the 1 mg dose for hair loss, the evidence is reassuring but not complete.
A placebo-controlled study of 181 men aged 19 to 41, published in 1999, gave finasteride 1 mg daily for 48 weeks and found "no significant effects" on sperm concentration, total sperm count, movement or shape. Semen volume fell slightly in both the finasteride and placebo groups, with no meaningful difference between them.
The UK summary of product characteristics (SmPC) adds the other side. It says long-term fertility data in humans are lacking, men planning to father a child were excluded from the original trials, and "spontaneous reports of infertility and/or poor seminal quality were received post-marketing". In some of those reports the men had other risk factors. It also says "normalisation or improvement of seminal quality has been reported after discontinuation". The NHS describes poor sperm quality as uncommon and says it usually returns to normal after stopping.
Semen and a pregnant partner
The SmPC says "less than 0.001% of the 1 mg dose per ejaculation" has been found in the semen of men taking finasteride. It reports eight live male births after exposure through semen during pregnancy, one of which involved hypospadias (a common condition where the opening of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis); the SmPC says causality "cannot be assessed" from that single report. A further nine male births after exposure in clinical trials had no reported abnormalities.
The NHS says the manufacturers recommend using a condom because very small amounts of finasteride get into semen, "but the actual risk is unlikely to be significant". This is one to discuss with your prescriber, particularly once your partner is pregnant.
Handling tablets and topical solutions
The bigger practical point is handling. Finasteride can affect the development of a male baby's sex organs, so the UK product information says crushed or broken tablets "should not be handled by women when they are or may potentially be pregnant". Whole tablets are film-coated, which stops contact with the medicine during normal handling. Keep tablets in their packaging and do not split them.
If you use a topical finasteride solution, the precaution is stricter: a woman who is or may become pregnant should not handle the solution or apply it for you, because finasteride can be absorbed through the skin.
What to talk through with your prescriber
There is no single right answer, so this is a decision to make with your prescriber. Useful things to cover:
Your plans and timescale. Some couples prefer to carry on, some prefer a break. If you stop, the SmPC says hair benefit begins to reverse by about 6 months. Our page on stopping finasteride explains what to expect.
Any fertility concerns. If you already have concerns about fertility, or conception is taking a while, tell your prescriber and GP that you take finasteride, so it can be considered alongside everything else.
Side effects. The MHRA's Drug Safety Updates of 29 April 2024 and 11 May 2026 warn about low mood, depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual side effects (including ejaculation problems) that may persist after stopping. Report any changes. Our MHRA safety updates page has more.
If you are not yet on treatment, the free online assessment asks about pregnancy and family planning, including a partner's, so the doctor can take it into account.
If you take dutasteride instead
Dutasteride, which is used off-label for hair loss, carries firmer advice. The Avodart leaflet says to use a condom, because dutasteride has been found in semen, and that it "has been shown to reduce sperm count, semen volume and sperm movement", so male fertility may be reduced. Pregnant women must not handle leaking capsules. Dutasteride also stays in the body for weeks after the last dose, which matters if you are planning ahead.
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Should I stop finasteride before trying for a baby?
There is no official requirement to stop. Some men carry on and some choose to take a break, and both are reasonable. Talk it through with your prescriber, who can weigh your fertility history, your partner's situation and how you would feel about losing some of the hair benefit.
Do I need to use a condom if my partner is pregnant?
The NHS says the manufacturers of finasteride recommend a condom because very small amounts get into semen, but that the actual risk is unlikely to be significant. Ask your prescriber what they advise. For dutasteride, the leaflet is firm: use a condom if your partner is or may be pregnant.
Can my pregnant partner touch my finasteride tablets?
Whole, unbroken tablets are coated, so normal handling is not a problem. She should not touch crushed or broken tablets, and she should not handle or apply a topical finasteride solution. Keep tablets in their blister pack and do not split them.
Will my fertility recover if I stop finasteride?
The Propecia SmPC says normalisation or improvement of semen quality has been reported after stopping finasteride. If you have specific concerns, your GP can arrange a semen analysis and look at other causes too.
Does finasteride reduce semen volume?
It can. The leaflet lists a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex as a possible side effect. In the 1999 trial of the 1 mg dose, the fall in semen volume was similar to placebo. If you notice a change, mention it to your prescriber.
Sources
- Propecia 1 mg: summary of product characteristics, section 4.6 (eMC, revised 29 June 2026)
- NHS: Fertility and pregnancy while taking finasteride
- NHS: Common questions about finasteride
- Overstreet JW et al. Chronic treatment with finasteride daily does not affect spermatogenesis or semen production in young men. J Urol 1999
- Avodart 0.5 mg soft capsules: patient information leaflet (eMC, revised March 2026)
Facts checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Read our editorial policy.