If you're trying to conceive, and the man in your life is on antidepressants, he may want to talk to his doctor about some alternatives. According to the article below, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can greatly reduce sperm counts.
Men's' fertility at risk from antidepressants
From the article:
The study revealed that both men suffered from a drop in sperm count to almost zero after taking the medicines. The sperm count recovered to normal levels after the same medicines were discontinued. Cornell Medical Centre found the same occurrence with 12 more men at the clinic though the impact of the medicines was less severe in them.
While Cornell Medical Centre has issued a warning, doctors have advised men to consult their GPs before taking any decision about discontinuing anti-depressants. Leading people in the medical fraternity have also appreciated the importance of the findings made by Cornell Medical Centre. "There are only two patients, so you have to be careful, but this is very interesting work," said Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at Sheffield University.
"It's a well designed study, with sequential measurements of sperm count and quality in the same people. These were measured while the men were on the drug and off the drug, and there seems to be a major correlation. This is something we should go out and look at in a lot more detail. Maybe this is an unknown side effect of this drug that is only just coming to light."
Prof Schlegel who led the study conducted on the two men observed “It's a dramatic effect and it has never been described before. We believe that while it has had a profound effect on these two men, it could be having a significant but more subtle effect on many more." More importantly, this could be adversely impacting couples who plan to have children.
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