Association of Androgenic Alopecia Medication With Male Reproductive Parameters: Retrospective Comparison With Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Intake
Nobuyuki Kondoh, Shinpei Yoshioka, Yohei Kaizuka, Seiji Nagasawa, Yoshikazu Togo, Serina Makihara, Toshie Masuda, Kenichi Yamaguchi, Kazuhisa Kodama, Masae YooBackground
Among various lifestyle factors, effects of cigarette smoking (Cs) and alcohol intake (Ai) on male reproductive function have been well studied. The effects of medical treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) have been recognised, but they remain unclear, which prompted this comparative study.
Methods
Reproductive parameters, including semen quality, were compared between patients with and without AGA medication exposure, Cs and Ai. Mann–Whitney U test was mainly used for statistical analysis.
Results
The study included 166 patients (aged 21–63 years, mean ± SD 35.5 ± 6.7 years). AGA medication users ( n = 14) had significantly lower semen volume, (1.9 ± 1.2 vs 2.7 ± 1.3 mL; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.8; p = 0.031) and monthly frequency of marital intercourse (MFI) (2.2 ± 2.5 vs 3.7 ± 3.0; 0.5, 0.9; p = 0.012) than those not receiving AGA medication ( n = 150). In contrast, no significant differences for those parameters were noted between patients with and without Cs or Ai. Furthermore, patients receiving AGA medication alone showed significantly lower semen volume, total motile sperm count (TMSC) and MFI as compared to those with both Cs and Ai (1.1 ± 0.7 vs 2.3 ± 1.0 mL, 95% CI:0.5, 0.8; p = 0.006, 17.7 ± 16.4 vs 54.9 ± 45.5 million, 0.5, 1.0; p = 0.022, 1.0 ± 1.0 vs 4.5 ± 4.3, 0.7, 1.0; p = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion
AGA medication might have a greater association with impairment of male reproductive parameters than Cs or Ai. Further large scale studies are needed to validate these results.