Antidepressants undermine male strength

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

In the fight against depression, men should not indulge in antidepressants. As American scientists have found out, such psychotropic drugs adversely affect the quality of sperm. Moreover, the negative effect is manifested even with a short-term admission.

Scientists at Cornell Medical Center in New York investigated the effects of the antidepressant paroxetine from a group of so-called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" or SSRIs. This group includes most of the currently prescribed antidepressants, including Prozac.

The researchers selected 35 healthy men who were given paroxetine for four weeks. Before starting the medication and after completing the course, the scientists examined the sperm samples of the subjects.

Antidepressants are psychotropic substances used primarily to treat depression. In a depressed patient, they improve mood, reduce or completely relieve lethargy, apathy, anxiety and emotional stress.

Outwardly, the sperm corresponded to the norm, it contained the usual number of sperm cells with undisturbed motility. But when scientists examined the state of sperm DNA, it turned out that after taking the drug, the number of cells with damaged DNA increased dramatically.

Before the start of the experiment, there were about 14% of such cells, which is normal, and after the experiment, the number of spermatozoa with damaged DNA increased to 30%. This level is considered by doctors as "clinically significant", that is, significantly impairing the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg.

However, scientists advise against quitting antidepressant medications in order to conceive. They warn that a doctor should prescribe medications and an individual approach is required in each case.