HomeAnswersDermatologyhair lossAre low WBC, alopecia in pubic area, and decrease in semen related to each other?

Can decrease in semen, low WBC and alopecia in pubic area be related?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 14, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 21, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I noticed a small triangular bald spot in my beard three weeks ago. It was likely alopecia areata. Saw my dermatologist last week, she said it was likely folliculitis. I have had folliculitis before in the same area and it was much different. She is the doctor. So I accepted and moved on. One small spot that has some hair growing back, small thin white hair. Yesterday, I noticed what appeared to be a bald spot in my pubic hair above the penis. When I trimmed the hair back, it revealed a quarter-sized bald spot and a smaller dime-sized spot. I am not sure how long they may have been there as they were somewhat masked by longer pubic hair. So, now I have what I believe to be three spots, two below the abdomen and one on the beard. My concern is more of them spreading than the current spots.

I am now thinking back about the annual checkup that I had with my GP six months back. I advised him that in the past year, the amount of semen I produce has gone down drastically. I thought it might be a testosterone issue. He advised it was likely a result of my vasectomy the year before. Also as a part of my visit, my WBC was lower than normal, outside of the range by a couple. He was not concerned about that either.

My question is whether any of these things are related: a decrease in semen, low WBC, and alopecia in the pubic area or all separate issues? I see no reason to go back to the dermatologist as my new spots are hidden. Based on these separate facts, is there any likelihood they are related and is there any reason to see a doctor?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Alopecia areata is an immune disorder and is separated from folliculitis and it has nothing to do with your semen count and low WBC. Nevertheless, please send me a few good quality photographs taken in a natural light.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Here are two photos: one with a triangular spot on the beard and one of the pubic area with a quarter size spot.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is alopecia areata (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Just try Tacrolimus 0.1 percent ointment twice daily and Tretinoin 0.05 percent ointment once daily.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am mentally struggling with what this will mean to me. I understand that the course of the condition cannot be predicted. Having two spots in my pubic area and one small spot on my beard is not an issue- it is the question of what will come in the future ie will I get spots on my scalp? I realize there is no way to predict if this will happen but, in your opinion, how should I look at this situation? What would your experience and statistics suggest?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

What is your observation? Is it increasing or stagnant since you first noticed it?

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My beard spot, which I noticed four weeks ago, appears to have white fine hairs growing in it. It does not appear to be increasing as of this point. My pubic spots I just found last week. The larger one has hair growing in the center and I do not notice any exclamation point hairs around the perimeter but that could be because I cut the hair back to look at the spot. It is the size of a US quarter. The smaller pubic spot also has hair in the center that is not nearly as large. It is either older and has regrown or is newer and smaller.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

White hairs are not growing from it, alopecia areata do not affect white hair so the growing white hair phenomenon is frequently observed in it. The exclamation mark is not easy for you to identify sometimes it becomes very difficult for even a dermatologist to find an exclamation mark. In my personal experience, in eighty percent of the cases, it carries a very good prognosis with complete recovery in a few months. Rarely point one percent of the cases it becomes alopecia totalis or alopecia universalism. In your case, which is not progressing in the last four weeks I can confidently state that it carries an extremely good prognosis. So there is nothing to worry and keep applying for the medicines as recommended. I hope it helps. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Atishay Bukharia
Dr. Atishay Bukharia

Dermatology

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