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The Effects of Drugs on Fertility

effects of drugs, causes of infertility, infertility tips, male infertility causes, infertility

The effects of drugs should be carefully investigated, for couples trying to conceive. Causes of infertility can be directly linked to drug taking and can have a direct impact on your inability to fall pregnant. Infertility tips will advise no drugs / medication should be taken while you are trying to conceive, without approval being given by your medical doctor.

Drugs can be lifesaving, such as insulin for those with severe diabetes, or life enhancing, such as cortisone for arthritis. Sometimes, however, we are prescribed drugs, that have sever or fatal side effects. If in doubt, always ask your pharmacist about possible side effects of the drugs you are taking.

Fertility drugs

There are many types of drugs and fertility drugs prescribed as an infertility treatment program. This type of medication is always taken under direction of a medical practitioner and should not be confused with the drugs mentioned in the table below.

Effects of drugs on infertility:

There are two areas to be considered, under the effects of drugs on infertility.

Firstly, the danger of taking any drug, which could pose a threat to the healthy development of the new fetus or possibly deformities to the fetus. Miscarriage could also be the result of misuse of drugs during the first stage of pregnancy.
Secondly, the effects of drugs causing infertility.

It is for this reason that any drug taken, whether it's recreational, self prescribing, or under doctors prescription, should be discussed with your doctor, during your initial consultation for infertility. Any impact on your fertility can be assessed and monitored by this professional.

These drugs / medications may be used for very good reasons and you may experience no symptoms or after effects. However, once you embark on the baby making route, the effects of drugs and medication, will require careful monitoring by and approval from your doctor.

Many of these medications can harm and influence fertility, affecting sperm production, the egg, or possibly your sexual activity. If you have been treated with, or are using any of the following, advise your doctor accordingly:

MALES:

TYPE OF DRUG	USAGE	POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE BODY
Sulfasalazine - Azulfidine in U.S. - Salazopyrin in Europe	Anti-inflammatory agent - Treats inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis	May lower sperm count
Nitrofurantoin - Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin, Nitrofur Mac, Nitro Mac, Nifty-SR, Urantoin	Antibiotic - Treats urinary tract infection	May lower sperm count
Tetracycline	Antibiotic - Broad - spectrum antibiotic	May lower sperm motility
Cimetidine - Tagamet	Treats gastric acid secretion.	Excessive usage may cause impotence
Ketoconazole - Nizoral in U.S.	Antifungal drug used to prevent and treat skin fungal infections	May cause impotence and lower sex drive
Colchicine - Natural product	Treats rheumatic complaints, like gout	May lower the fertilization ability of sperm
Antidepressants	Used to alleviate mood disorders	May cause impotence
Propranolol	Used in the treatment of hypertension.	May cause impotence
Chemotherapy	Treats cancer	May lower sperm count
Cannabis, alcohol	Recreational drugs	May cause sperm abnormalities
Cocaine	Recreational and medical usage	May lower sexual desire as well as sperm motility and sperm count

FEMALES:

TYPE OF DRUG	USAGE	POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE BODY
Anti-inflammatories - e.g. ibuprofen	Anti-inflammatory	May effect egg follicles
Chemotherapy	Treats cancer	May cause ovarian failure
Cannabis	Recreational drug	May lower sperm motility

Therefore the old rule - prevention rather than cure - should be applied during your infertility stage.

Causes of male infertility may present with sperm problems, as a direct consequence of taking drugs without knowing the effect on infertility

So many drugs are available, and may be perfectly safe to take during your time of conception, and subsequent pregnancy. But your doctor will advise you, to only take medication as prescribed by him /her, for safety and precautionary measures.

Always consult with a medical practitioner before taking mediation during infertility.

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