If you are trying to conceive a baby, it is important to consider your partner's overall health. You should pay proper attention to what you eat and drink, your physical activities, and the medications and supplements you are taking.
If you and your partner are trying to get pregnant, you should speak to your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Although plenty of treatments are fine to continue while trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy, it is important to know that certain medications may impact the fertility or health of the baby.
In this blog, we will tell you about the medications and supplements that may affect fertility.
How can medications cause harm during pregnancy?
Medication scans harm the pregnancy in a number of ways:
- Some are transported across the placenta and can interfere with the development of the baby.
- Few of the medicines can damage the placenta and restrict the amount of the baby.
- Few medicines can increase the risk of pregnancy complications that lead to premature labor.
- Therefore, it is important to always ask about the medication that you are taking when you are planning your pregnancy.
Medication that may affect male fertility
- Alpha-blockers:
They are used to treat urinary symptoms as the result of an enlarged prostate and may affect ejaculation.
- Testosterone replacement therapy:
This therapy can lead to a low sperm count or an inability to produce sperm.
- Depression medications:
There are certain antidepressants that can cause sexual dysfunction or trouble ejaculating.
- Steroids:
The sperm Count gets lower down because of intake of Anabolic steroids, which can interfere with the production of sperm.
Medication that can affect female fertility
- Depression medications:
Some antidepressants can affect evolution and may raise the level of hormones, such as prolactin.
- Steroids:
By preventing the release of hormones needed for ovulation, some of the corticosteroids can impact fertility in women.
- Thyroid medication:
Medications given in order to treat thyroid disorders can improve fertility. But if, in any case, you are not taking the correct dosage and the thyroid remains active, it may affect the electric levels and alter the ovulation.
- Birth control pills:
Although birth control pills prevent pregnancy, some of these can sometimes have lingering effects on fertility after discontinuation. In a few of the cases, it takes a month for women to get a normal menstrual cycle and for ovulation to get normal.
- Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, can also be detrimental to the fertility of both males and females. Therefore, it is always recommended that before you start treatment, talk to your doctor about ways to preserve your fertility through sperm or egg freezing.
- The use of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco also impacts fertility.
- Antiepileptic drugs, along with antipsychotics, can also impact fertility.
Combined effects on couples
Then both partners are on medications that affect fertility; the combined effect can be more pronounced. In some cases, if a fun partner is on chemotherapy and another partner is taking NSAIDs, the chances of conception get reduced.
Lowering the effect:
There are certain days on which you can lessen the effect of these medications:
Consulting healthcare providers:
- Before taking any medicine, it is important to discuss its effect on fertility with your doctor.
- They can provide you with alternatives or adjust the dosage to minimize the risk.
Timing and medication management:
Medication that impacts fertility temporarily timing in intercourse to coincide with the optimal fertility can improve the chances of conception.
Modifications in lifestyle:
It is very important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which can reduce some of the medication-related issues.
Assisted reproductive technology:
For the girls who are facing a significant fertility challenge because of medication-assisted reproductive technology, such as in the organization, we can provide viable solutions.
Conclusion
Many medications can affect fertility in both men and women. Hormones, along with antidepressants and certain disease treatments, are some of the most common culprits. Therefore, it is very important to discuss any kind of medication you are taking with the doctors at Mannat Fertility Centre, especially if you are planning a pregnancy.
