Infertility caused by antidepressants?

I have seen that SSRI anti depressants such as Prozac and Effexor lower men's sperm count considerably. Do the good people on this site feel that this is another case of drug companies getting it wrong again to the detriment of humanity?

As to jbland's answer, this is just the reactionary answer expected from the medical profession. They are ALWAYS the last to know of any side effect and when they do take the evidence on board they make out that they knew all along. I refer to the Daily Telegraph on 24-10-06

No opinion on the FDA or drug companies, they are not my favorite subject unless you want to hear a lot of complaining.

I have not seen evidence of low sperm count caused by SSRI's that you have mentioned, either in my work or in volunteer work.

What I do know is that they OFTEN cause a lack of sexual desire or of being able to become sexually arroused. This is a serious problem for women and a devastating one for men. Women, given the correct foreplay and time, can usually become aroused and even acheive orgasm while on SSRI's. Because of the mechanics of arousal in men, this obviously is much, much worse for them.

Obviously, if one were depressed, and in a relationship, this would NOT be condusive to relieving the depression. There are medications, call atypical antidepressants that have less or no effect on sexual desire and often its a matter of trying several to find one that does not have that side effect. We all react differently to these medications as well as SSRI's and for that matter any number of medications.

You have touched on one of the "unspoken" side effects of anti-depressants that we must urge our physicians and others in position to address it to do just that.

I have been involved in psychiatry for over 25 years and I am certainly no apologist for the over-prescription of medication especially anti-depressants. I have to say, however, that in my extensive reading on the subject I have never come across any research findings such as the ones you describe. It is a fact that most of the 5HT antagonists do inhibit sexual function in that they retard ejaculation in men and orgasm in women and this is the most common reason that people give for not taking their medication.

These medications have a place in managing mental health problems and are, on the whole, safe and effective. People who require medication of this type are usually quite anxious and worried by the nature of their illness and by the tripe that is spread about psychotropic medication in some of the news papers and magazines, the last thing we need is another groundless scare.

prozac is a very good drug for depression and all drugs have some side effects

Sperm counts are increased when medications are changed. Maybe this is just another means to control the population.

I would not say that SSRIs are known to reduce sperm count, but rather that some medication that alter our dopamine and serotonin levels may have the side-effect of altering prolactin levels. However, simply because a medication may have s side-effect; this does not mean that you will incurr this side-effect yourself; and your prescriber will probably make regular checks on your overall health and discuss any 'possible' side-effects with you prior to issuing the prescription.

I have included a weblink on prolactine below which has link to the terms included in the text that you may possibly find difficult to appreciate.

Good Luck!