16 Medications 
That Can Lower Your 
Sperm Count

 

16 Common Medications That Can Lower Your Sperm Count 

Speak to your doctor if you are on any of these medications and want to find a safe alternative

• Anabolic Steroids / Testosterone Therapy can actually make men permanently sterile, cutting sperm count and quality
  
• Antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft can alter libido and the ability to get an erection or ejaculate. These drugs may also damage sperm and make them unable to fertilize an egg. 
  
• Antifungal medications can lower sperm count. Ketoconazole can inhibit the production of hormones. 
  
• Blood pressure medications.  Antihypertensives potassium-sparing diuretics can impact male fertility by diminishing the sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg. Calcium channel blockers, such as Plendil, Cardene, Procardia, Cardil, Cardizem, and Verapamil, can lower sperm count
• Chemotherapy drugs can lower sperm count. Talk to your doctor about any alkylating agents you may be taking, including cyclophosphamide, nitrogen mustard, and methotrexate
  
• Diuretics can cause dehydration and lead to low semen volume
  
• Epilepsy drugs like Carbamazepine and Valproate can lower sperm count and decrease testosterone
  
• Heart medications, ask your doctor
  
• Painkillers can inhibit prostaglandin release and delay ovulation, decrease libido and cause ejaculatory dysfunction
  
• Propecia. This can affect male reproductive hormones enough to weaken sperm production and function, especially in men with sperm counts that are low or borderline to begin with.
  
• Sulfasalazine, used to treat IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, can also reduce sperm count 
  
• Tranquilizers can impact sperm count
  
• Ulcer medications for peptic ulcers: Cimetidine can lower sperm count in men and cause increased prolactin which impairs male fertility
  
• Urinary function drugs Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) can lower sperm count.
  
• Viagra. At Queen’s University in Belfast Ireland researchers found that a single 100 milligram does of Viagra can prematurely activate the acrosome on the head of the sperm. It’s the little sack of enzymes that makes the outer membrane of the egg dissolve a little so that the sperm can penetrate the egg. If the acrosome pops off too soon, it won’t do its duty at the right time.
  
• Herbal Viagra. Avoid internet herbs that claim to be “herbal Viagra” as they treat the symptoms, not the root cause and won’t help
  

Sources: ConceiveOnline, FertilityLabInsider, Infertilitydoc.net, MaleFertility,