Ivf and sertaline?

[Lovelybubbly78]

Hi ladies , after years of ttc, multiple late first trimesters losses and ivf , now with covid restrictions - I’ve needed some help with 50mg sertraline . I’m worried that it will affect my egg quality ( I’m using pgs to select decent embryos) I asked my clinic and Gp and neither know the impact . The gp said it’s fine for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Does anyone know for ivf ? Thanks

I take sertraline and my clinic said there was absolutely no issue with taking it during IVF or while pregnant. I've been on it for a few years prior to starting IVF. Sorry you've had such a tough time, wishing you lots of luck.

I only know impact on DH and it absolutely nuked his sperm (his GP said there would be no impact but what I found online from medical research DID indicate an issue) so if it effects men then I guess you could infer it might affect us women in some way too? 6 months after coming off his ADs his sperm went back to normal

Sertraline is considered the safest antidepressant for use when TTC and when pregnant.

There have been some animal studies and sperm-quality studies which have suggested it can impact upon sperm, but this isn't definite and as the link seems to be with issues with spermatogenesis, then it shouldn't be a permanent issue even if it does occur.

There's some research suggesting that paroxetine and escitalopram could stimulate fallopian tube motility and negatively affect female fertility that way (although this would be reversible) but sertraline doesn't look to have that effect. Depression and anxiety can themselves impact upon fertility, so effectively treating your mental health may have a net benefit for your fertility too.

If you're worried, you could ask for a referral to community mental health services or even the perinatal mental health service if there's one in your area - they could look at your particular circumstances and advise on medication and other options which could be available, such as psychological treatments.

Thanks everyone , wish there was some straight forward evidence it’s definitely okay . @nextweek it’s great your clinic have been so positive, mind were like erm...
I feel guilty taking something but I’ve been waking up at 2am unable to get back to sleep night after night . I’ve done everything herbal and natural possible , guess it’s deep rooted from years of trauma and now covid on top .

Hiii.

I remember feeling the same as you as to what effect sertraline could have on things. I was on it during IVF (much higher dose than you!) and it can't have had an impact on things. My fresh transfer was unsuccessful but a FET a few months later was and I now have a 7 month old. Best of luck to you! Xx

@Zest11 thank you so much ❤️ That makes me feel much better and congratulations on your little one , how wonderful x

@Lovelybubbly78 Thank you. And another thing...sorry I just read the previous post about referral to perinatal. I asked to be referred to them during IVF and the psychiatrist basically gave me a list of pills that would be fine (as I was anxious Sertraline wasn't going to work ha -but it was fine!) Sertraline was said to be safe. Also as for egg quality - loads and loads of protein is good apparently. I had it towards the end of buserelin and of my 8 fertilised eggs 5 made it to blast xx

Ahh didn't mean to post...I had the protein towards the end of buserelin and then whilst stimming xx

Thanks @Zest11 I’ve been trying to do low carb and higher protein for a few months s my last ivf I got 7 eggs but only two blasts to freeze ( and one was chromosomally normal ) did you go any protein shakes or anything?

That's good! When is your next round/egg collection? I remember putting protein powder into my yogurt/porridge and I would have one for breakfast everyday. I also got these sports nutrition drinks from Asda..."protein water" they were called but protein shakes would be fine too...I just don't like milkshake type drinks.

Thanks. It’s likely to start in two weeks. I just want it over with !

@Lovelybubbly78 how is it going? Hope all okay so far xx

Hi all I’d thought I’d come back and update because other ladies might be in this predicament in the future. Unfortunately, my progesterone levels were too high to start ivf and my GP read some papers and concluded it was most likely sertraline. High progesterone can affect egg quality during ivf and lining when implanting.
I’m now rapidly coming off it before trying ivf . Not a great experience as suffered a lot of symptoms going on it and now a lot rapidly trying to get off it.
It could just be I’m sensitive to it and others won’t have this affect but thought I’d update

@Lovelybubbly78 thank you for the update, that is interesting. Hope you are able to start soon xx

I'm sorry to hear you've been delayed by this and that you're having a difficult time with the medication. I'd be interested to read the articles the GP mentioned, if you have any links? I've not read any good quality research demonstrating that sertraline would be the likeliest cause of elevated progesterone and it could be helpful for others to see the evidence base?

@Zest11 and @Lovelyjubbly78 - I am now finding myself int he same boat and found this thread re Ivf and sertaline.

@Lovelyjubbly78 - can i check how your IVF cycles went for you when you were taking the sertaline please?

@Zest11 - you said the fresh egg tramsfer when you were taking sertaline failed but an FET later worked. Can i check if that subsequent FET was also at a time when you were taking Sertaline?

Thank you!

I don't know if this will help anybody but I'm on citalopram (not sertraline but still an antidepressant). I was told by my consultant that IVF impacts your hormones and emotions so much that I was better to stay on the citalopram. Now I'm on my second round of IVF I'm so glad I'm still on it. IVF is so hard and this is like a bit of a life jacket stopping me from totally drowning.

Thanks for sharing @lemons44 .. i agree IVF is tough. I have lots of other issues in life at the moment though so my doctor is recommending this (so I can focus on IVF and my conception journery .. and feel the joy if i get pregnant).

Is there anyone with successful experience of IVF whilst taking sertaline or another anti-depressant?

My experience with setraline is not positive. It affected progesterone levels meaning I was unable to go ahead with FET, an issue that I hadn't had before. We monitored the levels for two consecutive months and in the end I had to stop AD completely.

Hi @CDiamond yes I took Sertraline in the lead up to the frozen ET and i got pregnant. I did come off it around the time of transfer though/just after as I didn't want to be on it if I actually did get pregnant (although it is safe!) I was always told by the doctors it would be better to be on it then not because my anxiety levels could go sky high and that would be worse and wouldn't help with conception.

From my experience and what I’ve learned, there’s no strong evidence that sertraline significantly affects egg quality or embryo development. Most studies suggest it’s one of the safer antidepressants to use during fertility treatments and even in pregnancy, especially when prescribed at a moderate dose like 50 mg. The mental health benefits can also be important — stress, anxiety, and depression can negatively impact the IVF process, so staying stable emotionally may actually support your overall chances. If your GP and clinic both see no contraindications, and you’re under medical supervision, continuing sertraline is often considered a reasonable choice.

I personally take Zoloft (sertraline) and it works excellently for me. I order it at a good price from this pharmacy: fast-supply24.com/categories/Depression/Zoloft — I always receive my order quickly and in great quality.