The research, published in the June 2009 edition of Fertility and Sterility, was carried out at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center in the USA.
It involved 35 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 65 years. They were given questionnaires to assess their sexual function and their sperm was analysed to determine its quality prior to being given any medication.
They were then given the antidepressant, paroxetine (known as Seroxat and Paxil) for five weeks. After completion of the five week period, sperm samples were examined again and a further questionnaire filled out to see if there had been any changes in their sexual relationship.
Sperm Fragmentation
30.3% of men had significant sperm fragmentation after treatment with paroxetine, compared with 13.8% before treatment.
Erectile Dysfunction
Up to 35% of men complained of significant changes in erectile function after treatment with paroxetine and 47% of men had difficulty in reaching orgasm during sexual intercourse.
After the medication was stopped, the men recovered to 'near normal' sexual function. It was not noted whether this 'near normal' level improved to completely normal, or not.
Researchers concluded that:
'The fertility potential of a substantial number of men on paroxetine may be adversely affected by these changes in sperm DNA integrity.'
233 Million Prescriptions
Ten million American people will suffer with depression at some time in their lives and there were 233 million prescriptions for SSRIs in 2007 alone, so this could have significant implications for infertility rates and may be one of the reasons why infertility rates are increasing.
Disturbing Data
According to GlaxoSmithKline, paroxetine may cause:
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Decreased libido
- Female genital disorders
- Sweating
- Abnormal vision
- Constipation
Paroxetine so effectively inhibits a man's ability to orgasm, that it is even being used as a treatment for premature ejaculation. A study in a Chinese medical journal, entitled 'Effects of Seroxat on Premature Ejaculation, a Clinical Trial', found that:
'After the treatment, 43 cases in our study had increased their ejaculation latency time, enhanced the quality of their sexual lives and their wives', and had significant difference compared with pre-treatment.'
They concluded that 'Antidepressant Seroxat has rather good effects on premature ejaculation and should be used and studied further.'
Paroxetine is also thought to contribute to birth defects due to it damaging sperm DNA.
So if you are trying for a baby and are on antidepressants, speak to your doctor about safely weaning off them with supervision and you might find your sex life and your fertility improves.
Sources: Fertility and Sterility, DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.039
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2002;8(2):117-9.
Paroxetine drug information from GlaxoSmithKline.
