The key points
- Stopping Finasteride is safe and doesn’t cause withdrawal, but hair loss may return.
- If you’re trying to conceive, it’s best to stop treatment 3 months beforehand.
- You can support your hair during a break with topical Minoxidil, which doesn’t affect fertility.
- Hair lost during a treatment pause may not fully return, but restarting is possible.
- Talk to our team if you’re unsure, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At some point in your hair loss journey, you might consider stopping Finasteride. Maybe you're planning to start a family, are concerned about side effects, or you simply feel differently about continuing with your treatment plan.
Whatever your reason, it’s completely valid. Your hair loss journey is personal, and so are the decisions you make along the way. This guide is here to walk you through what happens when you stop, what alternatives might support your hair in the meantime, and how to feel confident about whatever comes next.
Why some men stop taking Finasteride
Everyone’s experience with Finasteride is different, and there are many reasons why someone might choose to pause or stop treatment. Some of the most common include:
- Trying for a baby: While the link between Finasteride and fertility is still being studied, it’s generally recommended that men stop taking Finasteride before trying to conceive. This gives your body time to clear the medication fully, which we call the “washout period.”
- Side effects: A small number of men experience side effects like reduced libido or changes in mood when taking Finasteride (1). While these often improve over time or with dose adjustment, some prefer to pause or stop altogether.
- Lifestyle or preference: You might want a break from daily medication, or feel like hair loss isn’t bothering you as much anymore. Whatever your reason, it’s a personal choice, and there’s no pressure to continue if it no longer feels right for you.
How long to pause before trying to conceive
If you're planning to have children soon, it is advised to stop taking Finasteride at least three months before you start trying to conceive. This is because it takes time for the medication to leave your system fully and for your body to restore sperm production to its usual pattern.
Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink. While this helps prevent hair loss, DHT also plays a role in male reproductive health, particularly in the development and maintenance of normal sperm function.
Although evidence is still evolving, some studies suggest that Finasteride may reduce sperm count, motility, and semen volume in a small number of men, especially at higher doses (2). These effects are not common and usually reversible after stopping the medication (3), but it can take a few months for sperm to normalise.
It is still possible to conceive on Finasteride. But for most couples, taking this precautionary break is a low-risk, proactive step, particularly if you’re already having trouble conceiving or want to be cautious.
What happens when you stop?
Stopping Finasteride is straightforward. Most people stop it suddenly without any issues, and you shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms or any shock to your system. That said, some people choose to taper off gradually for peace of mind, and that’s fine too.
Once you stop taking the medication, hair loss can resume. This happens as Finasteride helps preserve hair by lowering DHT levels. Once you stop, those levels gradually start to rise again, returning to where they were before treatment (baseline) within a couple of weeks. Over the next few months, the hair follicles that were previously protected may start to shrink, and hair loss can return.
This process is gradual, not immediate. It typically takes 3 to 6 months for visible hair loss to return. But if maintaining your hair is still a goal, it’s worth thinking about a backup plan.
Can you use Minoxidil while taking a break?
Yes. In fact, many men switch to Minoxidil while stopping or pausing Finasteride. It can help reduce the amount of shedding and thinning you experience on your treatment break. Just keep in mind that, like all hair loss treatments, it’s best to be consistent.
Topical Minoxidil (the kind you apply to your scalp) is a well-established treatment for male pattern baldness. It is thought to work by improving blood flow and stimulating hair follicles, and, crucially, it doesn’t affect DHT. That means that it’s generally considered safe to use if you're trying to conceive.
There’s also oral Minoxidil, which some men use instead of topical treatments. However, oral Minoxidil isn’t licensed in the UK for hair loss, meaning its use for this purpose is considered off-label. That means a doctor might prescribe it if they believe it’s appropriate for you, but it hasn’t gone through the full approval process for hair loss treatment.
If you're trying to conceive, oral Minoxidil usually won’t be offered. There is a lack of research into its impact on fertility, but animal studies suggest that it may have a negative effect (4). It’s better to stay on the safe side and stick with topical Minoxidil if you’re pausing Finasteride to try for a baby.
Find out more about topical Minoxidil
What if you change your mind later?
Hair loss treatments like Finasteride work best when used consistently, that’s true. But stopping Finasteride doesn’t have to be forever.
If you stop Finasteride and later decide you want to restart, that’s absolutely fine. You can pick it back up as long as it’s still appropriate, and many men do. Just bear in mind that any hair lost during the break might not be fully regained, as earlier and continuous treatment tends to deliver the best results.
That’s why some people choose to start Minoxidil during a pause or return to Finasteride before hair loss progresses too far. Supporting your hair during a break from treatment can help preserve your results in the long run and make you feel more confident and in control.
Thinking about stopping? We’re here to help
If you're considering pausing or stopping Finasteride, whether for now or for good, it’s okay to have questions. Our pharmacists and clinicians are here to talk things through, support you with alternatives, and help you feel confident in whatever decision you make.
You can also speak with your GP, especially if fertility is part of the picture. Whatever your next step, you’re not alone. You’ve got support at every stage of your hair loss journey.
References
- NHS. Side Effects of Finasteride [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023.
- Ricci G, Martinelli M, Luppi S, Lo Bello L, De Santis M, Skerk K, et al. Finasteride and fertility: case report and review of the literature. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD [Internet]. 2012 Dec;11(12):1511–3.
- NHS. Fertility and pregnancy while taking Finasteride [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023.
- Santana F de FV, Lozi AA, Gonçalves RV, Da Silva J, Da Matta SLP. Comparative effects of Finasteride and Minoxidil on the male reproductive organs: A systematic review of in vitro and in vivo evidence. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology [Internet]. 2023 Nov 1;478:116710.