A new study shows that men who take antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs like Paxil® may experience damage to their sperm, according to results presented by researchers at the meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
The study examined 35 men who were administered once-daily 10 mg doses of paroxetine (Paxil®), with an increase to 20 mg in the second week and 30 mg in the third and fourth week. The dosage was reduced to 20 mg in the fifth week.
The findings showed a five-fold increase in the number of men who developed abnormal sperm DNA while taking the antidepressants. This damage to the DNA make-up of the sperm caused researchers to link the drugs to reproductive problems, as well.
DNA integrity is crucial to normal fertility, said co-researcher Cigdem Tanrikut of Harvard Medical School in Boston. Abnormal sperm even affects pregnancy outcomes of the most advanced assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization.
Antidepressants are also linked to other health problems such as:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Insomnia
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint and muscle pain
- Risk of internal bleeding
- And more!
Due to the results of the study, researchers plan to conduct further testing of SSRI antidepressants.