Preseed.com Blog

A recent study presented at the Reproductive Medicine meeting this year (Tanrikut et al., 2008), suggested that an SSRI antidepressant significantly increased sperm DNA damage  to levels that have been well associated with poorer reproductive outcomes (over 30% damaged sperm).  This study mirrored the results from a 2005 study that my group presented. In our study, men who smoked saw a dramatic increase in the percent of sperm with damaged DNA, while taking SSRIs. 

It is my opinion that the potential impact of SSRIs on men who are trying to conceive, is a hugely under-discussed issue.  Approximately 4-6 million men of reproductive age in the US are on SSRIs.  These medications can cause 1/3 – 1/2 of men to have sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation, which can also interfere with TTC.

The cause of this is most likely disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.  These medications can elevate prolactin, which due to a cascade, suppresses testosterone production in the testicles and disrupts sperm production.  Although, the sperm damage may also be caused by increased levels of oxidative stress on the sperm from the SSRIs.

There are other types of antidepressants that can be discussed with your physician if you are trying to conceive.  Another option would be to have a sperm chromatin test done if you are taking SSRIs and TTC. This way, you can find out if your sperm’s DNA has been impacted.  Please read my FAQ about
sperm chromatin testing to better understand what this involves.

Take care-
Dr. E