Antidepressants

[whatagloriousthingtobe]

Are they safe during ivf ?? Thanks

Speak to your doctor they will advise as there are so many you could be taking.

It depends on which ones. I think Sertraline is often the most recommended SSRI during pregnancy/breast feeding, but I'm on a low dose of Citalopram and my doctors/nurses told me to keep taking it.

Depending on which drug, I think doctors have to weigh the possibility of the baby being affected (based on scientific evidence for that drug) with the greater worry of a decline in the mother's mental health (and therefore risks to baby that way).

I started taking fluoxetine not long before ivf.

Well done taking charge of your mental health during the mind fuck that is infertility. Be kind to yourself.

It's for anxiety mainly and ocd, the ocd in particular is out of control, it also gets worse when I'm stressed, so I'm trying to get ahead really !

Sertraline is the most favoured antidepressant for use in IVF and pregnancy, but clinicians are often happy for you to continue on others such as Citalopram or Fluoxetine if they work better for you. If you're on (for example) a MAOI or a TCA, though, your doctor might want to try to change you over to an alternative pre-IVF. Speak to your doctor and see what they recommend. You could also ask to be referred to perinatal mental health services for specialist support if needed.

Thanks for the replies, I will ask my GP or better yet a consultant at my clinic, the gp never seems to know much when it comes to ivf

I’m on sertraline and in second trimester now. I went with argc and the 50mg made my progesterone levels too high to cycle. I reduced to 25mg ( below the clinical dose) and I cycled and got pregnant. My clinic want progesterone to be low I think because it can affect egg quality. Check with whatever clinic you go for. I found dhea had the exact same effect on my progesterone. Perhaps I’m just sensitive though !

@Notanolympian I didn't realise antidepressants can affect progesterone levels?