How Drugs Can Harm Male Fertility – Tips for Healthy Sperm Production
By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, on March 16th, 2010
Various types of drugs – including prescription medications such as
antidepressants – can harm male fertility levels. This summary of the possible effects of drugs
on male fertility includes several tips for healthy sperm production…
“Everyone knows taking anabolic steroids and other recreational drugs wil negatively impact
health, but there is rarely a discussion of how male fertility can be affected,” says Dr. Laurence
A. Jacobs of the “To achieve optimum fertility, men should refrain
from drug and substance abuse and also be informed of the possible side effects of everyday
Here, Dr Jacobs describes how drugs can harm male fertility, and offers quick tips for preserving
healthy sperm. For more information about male fertility, read
The drug scandal surrounding some of baseball’s greats including Mark McGwire, Sammy
Sosa, Alexander Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and more – has sparked discussions about the short
and long term effects these drugs will have on their overal health. What has not been
addressed and is often not known is how much these illegal drugs, as well as everyday
prescriptions such as Paxil, can damage male fertility. How Drugs Can Harm Male Fertility
Certain drugs can cause impotence, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation difficulty,
changed hormone patterns, low libido, disruption of the pituitary gland and its
stimulation of the testicles, baldness, toxic effects on the testes and decreased overall fertility.
The good news is that these effects can often begin to reverse immediately once drug use has
stopped. However, since it could take up to 12 months forto return
to normal after abusing Anabolic Steroids, Dr Jacobs advises men to be aware of how their
choices can affect their chances of conceiving a baby. Medications that can harm male fertility include:
Paroxetine (trade names Seroxat and Paxil)
Antibiotics containing Nitrofurans and Macrolides
Sulfasalazine, found in anti-diarrheal medication
Ketoconazole, found in anti-fungal medication
Labetalol (trade names Trandate and Normodyne)
Quick Tips for Healthy Sperm Production
Limit use of saunas, hot tubs and hot showers
Stay cool – the optimal temperature for the scrotum is 95 degrees F, whereas normal
Avoid smoking – nicotine can damage sperm DNA and cause birth defects
Limit alcohol intake as excessive drinking may cause impotence
For more information on healthy sperm production, read
If you have any questions or thoughts about how prescription medications, drugs, and lifestyle can harm male infertility, please comment below… Fertility Centers of Il inois, S.C., is one of the nation’s leading infertility treatment practices, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services in the Chicago area for more than 30 Related Articles:
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