Anti-depressants and fertility.

[AltruisticEnigma]

My partner and I have been trying to have a baby for around 2 years of our 3 1/2 year relationship. I take anti-depressants and am slightly overweight. I have gone to the endochronologist and they have checked my tubes aren't blocked. They said I may need to lose a bit of weight (which I have and am ongoing doing) but have fluctuated with my weight throughout the time. I have always worried if I had a problem with having children, but have only recently taken it up with the doctors.

I was wondering does Sertraline (Zoloft) or any other anti-depressants have any effects on female fertility? Is there anything else that could possibly be causing a problem except needing to lose a bit of weight?

They believe it is me that's the problem as my partner was clear of any problems, although he was slightly low but not dramatically.

Any ideas?

There is some research that says antidepressants may affect make fertility but couldn't see anything about female infertility - saw this online fertilityclinics.com/antidepressants-and-infertility.html

Hope someone can provide a more useful response, good luck.

Hi, I've struggled with anxiety and depression in the past and considered medication whilst TTC. From what I know, setraline is one of the safest drugs to take in pregnancy. The problem is there's not much research on antidepressants on pregnancy- of course now they can't actively give it to people in pregnancy to monitor the effect because they don't know about the risk. Best thing to do us discuss it with your GP. Do you feel like you still need the meds?

mumtoone123 Thanks. I read about that too. It was just a thought to possibly explain it, but it's just open ended at the moment.

HaveALittleFaith I am not sure. I am gradually reducing them and seeing how it goes. I have mild OCD and anxiety also so was on 150mg but now on 100mg and hopefully in a few months will go down to 50mg but I will have to see how it goes. It's strange though and yes it's best not to take that chance anyway as who wants to use themselves and their child as a guinea pig to see whether it does infact interfere with pregnancy?

Maybe there is some odd reason why I can't. Maybe I just really need to lose some more weight or perhaps I'm just very unlucky. Who knows.

Thanks for your advice. :)

It's not easy is it? you need to do what's best for you but also worry about your not yet conceived child and it may be that staying on the medication benefits you. Afaik setraline has been taken by some women without any major side effects.

If your DH's swimmers weren't good I would push for a retest and to get his bloods tested to check they're not missing something - that's where our fertility issues lay.