Causes of Infertility – Common Drugs & Conditions
Unless your doctor informed you about it, the likelihood of you knowing which common drugs could be, unbeknown to you, causes of infertility, is very small. Here is a comprehensive list of drugs and conditions you should be aware of;
| Drug | What’s it used for? | How if affects fertility |
| Anabolic steroids | To build muscle | Interferes with testicular function |
| Antidepressants | Depression | Inability to discharge, disrupt menstrual cycles, lead to birth defects in the first trimester. |
| Antibiotics | Bacterial Infections | Disrupt ovulation/cervical mucus |
| Anti- anxiety drugs (diazepam, alprazolam) | Anxiety | Increased risk of birth defects |
| Cold and flu meds with antihistamines | Allergies, cold and flu meds | Thicken or dry up cervical mucus making it very hard for sperm to swim |
| Accutane | Acne | Severe birth defects |
| Corticosteroids | Psoriasis, itchy skin conditions | Disrupt menstrual cycles, decreased libido in men |
| Ulcer medication (cimetidine) | Stomach Ulcers | Impact sperm production and the ability to have an erection |
| High Blood Pressure meds(potassium sparing, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers) | High blood pressure | Decrease libido, interfere with erections,makes sperm sluggish, retrograde discharge, irregular menstrual cycles |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) | Pain | Disrupt ovulation |
| Chemotherapy drugs | Cancer | Sterility and infertility in both partners |
Here are some conditions, infections and procedures affecting fertility:
| Condition/Procedure | How if affects fertility |
| Diabetes Type II (adult onset) | Irregular cycles, infertility |
| Insulin resistance | Irregular cycles, infertility |
| Obesity | Irregular cycles, infertility |
| Diabetes Type I – insulin dependent | Early menopause due to autoimmune attack on the ovaries, retrograde discharge, erectile dysfunction. |
| Thyroid disease | Hypo and hyper thyroidism can cause irregular menstrual cycles and interfere with ovulation |
| Autoimmune diseases | Ovaries can be attacked by the immune system. |
| Anemia | Ovulatory disruption |
| Chlamydia infection (STD) | Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, epidydymitis, infertility |
| Gonorrhea (STD) | Severe scaring and adhesions |
| Surgical removal of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts | Pelvic and uterine adhesions which can lead to infertility |
| Dilatation & Curettage (Abortions, after childbirth) | Scaring and adhesions in the pelvic area |
| Surgical removal of adhesions | Can lead to more scarring and adhesions |
What to do about these potential causes of infertility?
- Healthy pure diet and lifestyle promote robust health. The healthier you are the less likely you’ll need medications for pain, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.
- Same goes for infections. The healthier you are the more robust your immune system is able to fight and ward off pathogens which may be the causes of infertility before they get a chance to invade and multiply.
- However if you are currently taking some of those medications or are dealing with some of the conditions mentioned afore consider the following:
- If your condition can be modified with diet and lifestyle – diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, anemia, allergies, frequent colds and flu and many more – start doing the necessary changes and under your doctors guidance gradually reduce medication and eventually come off it if at all possible.
- Seek natural alternatives that can be used in the place of the drug.
- Use complementary medicine treatments for your condition to help your body heal itself and avoid common causes of infertility.
And remember if you want a complete guide with step-by-step instructions on how to avoid some of the contributing causes of infertility such as drugs and conditions and dozens or more natural fertility strategies, see my Body Exposed – Reprotoxicants that’s part of my “Natural Fertility Prescription Program”. Comments? I’d love to hear from you.
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About the Author: Iva Keene MRMed. ND. - Natural Fertility Specialist
Iva Keene is co-founder, creator and award-winning author of the NFP Program and director of Natural-Fertility-Prescription.com. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Health Science in Naturopathy and a Master Degree in Reproductive Medicine. She has been a qualified and internationally accredited Naturopathic Physician for over 15 years. Since founding NFP in 2008, Iva’s articles, videos, guides, and reports have reached over 1.3 million people. Iva has dedicated her professional life to supporting couples on their path to parenthood with scientifically grounded information, protocols, and coaching around preconception care, natural infertility treatments, and integrative reproductive health.