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On Citalopram. Trying For Child. Will This Medicine Affect The Sperms?

Posted on Thu, 26 Sep 2013

Question: I am 26 years old and currently on 20mg of Citalopram, and me and my wife want to get pregnant. I have heard that citalopram can damage sperm (cause mobility issues and DNA fragmentation). I was wondering if being on this drug will make it much more difficult to get pregnant, and if not, then, could it cause birth defects if she does get pregnant?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it can

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I have read your query & I understand your concerns.

Following is my reply:

1) Citalopram can cause the effects you have mentioned. Since you are young you are unlikely to be affected much with this drug.

2) Birth defect may not be likely if you consume the drug. Even if there is DNA fragmentation, fertility can occur with god sperms since all sperms wont undergo DNA fragmnetation

I hope I answered your query. I will be available for any follow up queries you have.

Regards,

Dr.Mahesh Koregol
IVF & Infertility Specialist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (28 hours later)

So, sperm with fragmented DNA are incapable of fertilization then?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi, DNA fragmentation more than 30 % is associated with decreased fertility. All men have small amount of fragmentation in Sperm DNA which is fine. If its in large quantity, fertility becomes problem. Fragmented DNA sperms can also fertilize

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (2 minutes later)

So then what happens if s fragmented DNA sperm fertilizes? Birth Defect?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not all

Detailed Answer:
Hi, when fragmented DNA fertilizes, very rarely a defective embryo forms which gets aborted by itself. Even if pregnancy continues, aborts in first 3 months. Even if pregnancy continues beyond it, ultra sound scans at regular intervals can detect if there is birth defect. All pregnancies with fragmentated DNA wont havd birth defects. Its a chance factor depending on severity of fragmentation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar