Link between DH antidepressants and miscarriage?

[Fuzzyduck21]

Just doing the normal thing of trying to find something to blame for my early miscarriage. Does anyone know if there are links between men who take SSRIs (like sertraline) and miscarriage? Just wondering if it messes up sperm... I know it can affect ability to ejaculate and the motility of sperm but if those two things arent an issue, what about the quality once they fertilise the egg? Hes talking to his doctor tomorrow but wondered if anyone was in a similar position

Bump

Hi @Fuzzyduck21, I looked into this as well as my partner was on an SSRI for anxiety. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of research on it but the research I’ve found seems to suggest they can effect motility, morphology and dna fragmentation rates. My partner came off his for three months before we started TTC so that the new sperm weren’t effected but it’s been hard for him. A possibility maybe is to request a sperm analysis for your partner from the GP if you explain the situation to see how things are looking as there’s a possibility it will all be normal despite the SSRIs

Should also add (sorry for the essay) I got pregnant v quickly but also had an early MC at 5.5 weeks so DP is booked in for a sperm analysis in a couple weeks just to check on things

Hi OP this is only anecdote but my DH was on sertraline (long term) when I got pregnant with my second child - it was quite fast I think month 2 of trying. With our first baby he was on different medication for his depression and anxiety but I can’t remember what it was. Fell pregnant month 3 of trying. Both pregnancies went to term with no complications. Only an anecdote but Just in case this helps but maybe there’s been some studies done, I don’t know .

I’m sorry for you loss.

Congrats @Fuzzyduck21 I got a BFP this morning and keeping my fingers crossed. The info your GP gave is really reassuring, in the research I found there were some SSRIs that improved sperm in some aspects, possibly Sertraline is one of them, so it wasn’t all bad news. It’s unfortunate it’s another aspect to have to consider and adds a little extra worry. I hope this pregnancy goes well for you both 🤞🏻 and the sperm analysis goes ok. It’s nice to hear of someone else on a similar journey

@Bigoldmachine that’s reassuring to hear

Really reassuring @Bigoldmachine thanks for sharing that. And wow congrats to you too @EmsTTC I really hope everything works out for us both ❤

Hi @Fuzzyduck21 I know this thread is old but wondered if you had any joy in conceiving and if you found out any more about the effects of antidepressants on sperm? We are about to start our second round of ivf and sperm quality was the reason we had to use assisted conception. However, my partner had a breakdown after our first round so was prescribed antidepressants. I'm just mindful that this might not help us. We are also in our 40s. Feels like everything is against us.

Hi @Lulu106 unfortunately I've had 2 further miscarriages since my post, both were first trimester and testing shows the babies had triploidy (three sets of chromosones instead of 2). I've been told by countless medical professionals, including Professor Quenby from Tommy's recurrent miscarriage clinic, that it had nothing to do with the sertraline so I feel a little more satisfied that it was just incredible bad luck. Thankfully he is recently off the tablets. I would certainly mention it to your clinic and I'm sure they will put your mind at rest about it. They'll be the experts and I'm sure they'll say the same as I've been told 🤞 best of luck

@Fuzzyduck21 I am so truly sorry to hear this. It's so unfair. I really hope you're getting the support you deserve and that answers are found as to why this is happening.
I mentioned the sertraline to one of the clinic consultants back in November and she was a little on the fence about it. I think her response was it's not ideal but under the circumstances my partners mental health was the priority and I agreed. He did try to come off them recently but he noticed himself sliding back into negative thoughts and patterns of behaviour. Life is a tough journey. Hoping you meet your rainbow baby soon 🌈 xx