effects of drugs on sperm?
123 Replies
Gabby - February 2

Hi, I have a concern and am hoping someone can give me some thoughts or advice, my dh and i have been ttc for a few months, with no success thus far. I am suspicious that my dh is possibly using cocaine and/or marijuana. he says he is not, but i have doubts. I am wondering how severe the effects of these types of drugs are on sperm, and if this may be why we aren't having much success. If anyone knows anything about this sort of thing, i would appreciate any advice or information. Thank you

 

Ann - February 2

In men, anabolic steroids, cocaine and marijuana can all interfere with fertility. Cocaine decreases sperm count and motility, while increasing abnormal sperm shapes. A high number of abnormal sperm heads is associated with decreased fertilization. Cocaine exposure to males before conceiving is linked to abnormal development in offspring. The suspected cause is that concaine binds onto the sperm and therefore, finds its way into the egg at fertilization. Marijuana also decreases the sperm count and increases abnormal shapes. In men, vascular effects of smoking have been strongly linked to impotence while women smokers appear to be at greater risk for ectopic (tubal) pregnancies and fallopian infection. Smoking has also been correlated with cervical-factor infertility, defined as a poor postcoital test (of cervical mucus) in the absence of infection. According to a Fertility and Sterility journal article, smokers have lower sperm counts. Smokers' sperm counts are on average 13%-17% lower than nonsmokers. Fortunately, stopping smoking increases sperm counts. A study of three smokers who were followed for 5-15 months after stopping smoking reported that their sperm counts rose 50-800%, suggesting that toxic chemicals in the smoke are responsible and any reduction in sperm count is fortunately, reversible. For men, alcohol increases abnormal shapes in sperm, and can lead to impotence. Additionally, it can also adversely affect male hormone levels. Because their liver function deteriorates, excessive levels of the female hormone, estrogen are released, which has a severe sperm suppressing effect. I found all this information on the internet. The things men do definitely affect the ttc process!!

 

Gabby - February 2

Ann, thank you so much for getting that info for me. I too searched and found the same answers. I am just very confused, I really think that this is the case but husband says no, but of course he is going to say no. He is a doctor so I am sure he knows that what he is doing is horrible while ttc. Anyway, thank you again for helping, and good luck to you.

 

Ann - February 2

Gabby, my heart goes out to you. I don't mean to sound judgmental, but it sounds like you and dh definitely have a lot going on regarding his honesty to you and his commitment to ttc. Ttc is difficult enough without anything else in life! You are right, since he is a dr, he likely knows the effects. What makes you think that he may be using? Good luck to you.

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann, you are absolutely right, he obviously is not comitted to ttc. The reason I suspect he is using these drugs is because he has in the past, and prior to ttc, he promised me he has stopped and will not use while ttc. I just can tell when I think he has been using and I really think he has been. Putting ttc aside, you are also right about this also being an honesty issue. Such is always an issue when drugs are involved. Thank you so much for your replies, just talking about it with you has made me feel better. Are you ttc?

 

Ann - February 3

Gabby, I am glad you feel better. I feel the same way about the board, because I don't talk about ttc in my "real" life at all. Yes, we have been ttc for almost 2 years (will be 2 in April unless I get pg by then). How long have you been ttc?

 

Ann - February 3

BTW, I had never researched this before (I do a lot of reasearch for work, so I enjoy looking up questions:)). I had no idea about the cocaine and how it "binds" to the sperm.

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann, been trying to conceive for only a few months now, this is the third month. I have become rather obsessed with it, and I do not talk about it in my "real" life either, so glad I found this board, mostly I just read the threads, and I have learned so much from it. That is very kind of you to look up questions for people. This whole ttc thing brings up crazy questions that most people never would even care about unless they were ttc. Anyway, I did not know either that cocaine binds to the sperm. It is a rather scary thought, and I would hate to get pregnant with cocaine binded onto the sperm making it possible harm for the baby. Perhaps I will print out some of this information and leave it on my husbands desk. What sort of methods are you using to track your O if you dont mind me asking..

 

huh - February 3

Um gabby you say your is a doctor, what kind of doctor is he, i am not sure if i would feel comfortable with my doctor using illegal drugs and still maintain his competancy. I think you should tell him to worry about being on drugs and in a position where people put their trust in him rather than worrying about sperm count at this time.

 

Ann - February 3

Hi Gabby. I just rechecked the board after i got home from work. I don't mind your asking at all. I don't really track my O anymore. I have gone through several tests so far: they checked to see if I am Oing (I am), if my fsh/estradiol are ok (they are), and to see if my tubes are clear (they are). My dh also had the sa (fine). I had a spot show up on an u/s that they thought was a cyst that wouldn't go away on my ovary, so I had a lap and it was actually endo ("mild"per my dr and she doesn't think it would affect my getting pg). So now I am at the point where I have been taking clomid and I have a u/s tomorrow to see how my follicles are doing this month. I will likely have my 4th iui on Monday or Tuesday. If this doesn't work (again), my dr is going to put me on some kind of injectibles. It is really frustrating, because I don't know what is wrong. I am 36, so that may be my sole problem!!:) How old are you, if you don't mind my asking? I had the same thought as you about cocaine binding--scary and definitely a cause for concern for not only ttc but for your baby. What are you doing to track your O and to ttc?

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann, so far for ttc I have been tracking my temps, and using OPKs, and taking vitamins. Thats really all. I do not want to try any of the herbs or supplements of that type because I have only been trying for a short amount of time and I feel that everything with me is ok. Although you never know I suppose. I am 27, husband is 38. Thanks for being so nice and talking with me. Good luck with your u/s tomorrow.. :)

 

Ann - February 3

Gabby, I agree with you about not trying anything besides the ol' fashioned way so far! I've read that people without fertility problems have about a 20% chance of getting pg each time, so until you have tried for 5 months, you aren't even statistically off! Also, 90% of couples will get pg the first year, so you have really good odds. A friend of mine kind of went through some of the problems you are having. Her exhusband is a dr and he was taking steriods behind her back. They had been ttc for a while (luckily it didn't work). I didn't know until today that steriods can affect the sperm count as well, so maybe that is why they never conceived. They had other big problems--he was cheating on her with a nurse. The story has a happy ending, though, because she is now happily married and pg with #2!! She is my closest friend from high school, but of course she doesn't know I am ttc (absolutely no one but my dh knows). I was so depressed when she told me she is pr for the second time. My dh and I have been ttc since she was pg with #1. I have enjoyed talking to you as well. Anytime you want to talk, vent, or whatever, feel free! Thanks for the good luck wishes for tomorrow. I really hope I have more than one follie this month.:)

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann, I also hope you have more than one follie this month!! Thank you for sharing your experiences with me, and for telling me about the friend with the husband taking steroids. Apparently all drugs have a bad effect on sperm, but that is to be expected since drugs are just BAD. Anyway, I enjoyed talking to you too and hope we can again :)

 

Ann - February 3

Hi Gabby, I will let you know how my follie check goes and let me know how it goes with your dh discussions when you give him the info. Talk to you soon.

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann, YES let me know how it goes, I will let you know how things go with when I talk to my husband. :) talk to you soon

 

Ann - February 3

Hi Gabby. I just got back from the doc. I already have 2 follies ready to trigger, so they gave me the hcg shot today and I have the iui tomorrow morning! I feel like I am in a tailspin, because I thought it would be Monday or Tuesday. Good luck on your talk. I hope all goes well.

 

Gabby - February 3

Ann- So I am guessing that is good? two follicles? and a shot of hcg ? Good news, right? :) Keep me posted..

 

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