Taking Propecia While Trying to Have a Baby

I have been taking Propecia for about 8 years. My wife and I are anxious to have another child. I completely stopped taking Propecia for about 5 months when my wife and I started trying to have our first child two years ago as I was afraid of side affects. He is perfectly healthy. Was that necessary or advisable? Should I stop taking it while we try to conceive again? Thank you.

There are many answers to this question depending upon the doctor and his interest in practicing and giving advice on what could be sensitive medical legal issues which are at time at odds with what is in your best interests. Very little, if any, Propecia comes from the sperm into the woman’s womb. Merck (the manufacturer of Propecia) does not warn men wishing to have children to stop taking the medications for your situation. That, in itself, tells much of the answer to your question. Some doctors, however, tell their patients if they are worried to do the following:

1. stop taking the Propecia during the one week that fertility is present or stop it through the entire period from conception to the delivery of the baby
2. use a condom when your wife is pregnant
3. stop the drug completely during the entire pregnancy

I feel that the first part of #1 may be wise if you do not trust the drug company disclosures and to adopt #2 if you are really worried. These two steps are extreme, while #3 is almost crazy because you will abandon all of the benefits of the drug and get progressive hair loss during the 9 month pregnancy period, based upon no evidence that this is a problem. See my previous answer to this question here: Taking Propecia While Starting A Family.