Can Certain Medications Make It Harder to Conceive?

Can Certain Medications Make It Harder to Conceive?

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, you may be wondering if your medications could be playing a role. Many people are surprised to learn that some common prescriptions—and even over-the-counter drugs—can affect fertility in both women and men. Understanding which medications might impact your chances of conceiving can help you take informed steps as you plan your family.

How Medications Can Affect Fertility

Medications can influence fertility in different ways. Some may interfere with ovulation or hormone levels, while others can affect sperm production, sperm motility, or even implantation. The effects vary depending on the type of medication, the dosage, and your individual health history.

Medications That May Affect Female Fertility

• Hormonal Birth Control: While temporary, birth control methods can delay the return of regular ovulation after stopping, especially injectable forms like Depo-Provera.
• Antidepressants and Antipsychotics: Certain types may disrupt hormone balance or increase prolactin levels, which can interfere with ovulation.
• Chemotherapy Drugs: Known to affect egg quantity and quality, sometimes leading to premature ovarian insufficiency.
• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, naproxen): Long-term use may interfere with ovulation in some women.
• Steroids: Can impact ovulation and menstrual cycle regulation.

Medications That May Affect Male Fertility

• Testosterone Therapy: Can lower natural sperm production, sometimes drastically.
• Anabolic Steroids: Often used for bodybuilding, these can severely suppress sperm production.
• Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments: May damage sperm production and quality.
• Opioids: Long-term use can lower testosterone levels and impact sperm health.
• Certain Blood Pressure Medications: Some beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers have been linked to reduced sperm motility.

What You Can Do If You’re Concerned

• Never stop a medication on your own. Always consult your prescribing doctor before making changes.
• Talk to a fertility specialist. They can evaluate whether your medications might be playing a role in fertility struggles.
• Explore alternatives. In some cases, your doctor may recommend different treatments that have less impact on reproductive health.
• Consider fertility preservation. If you need medications like chemotherapy that are known to affect fertility, options such as egg freezing or sperm freezing may help protect your future family-building goals.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility Health

Medications can be essential for managing chronic conditions, but they can also play a role in fertility challenges. If you’re concerned about how your prescriptions might impact your ability to conceive, the best step is to talk openly with both your prescribing doctor and a fertility specialist.

At University Reproductive Associates (URA), we work with patients and their healthcare providers to create fertility plans that consider the whole picture—including your medications, health history, and family-building goals. If you’re trying to conceive and want to make sure nothing is standing in your way, schedule a consultation with us today.