anti depressants and annovulation

[tink28]

i just wondered if anyone else here who has had annovulatary cycles has ever been treated with ssri anti depressants?
i have taken them for 10 yrs pretty much continously.i always had a gut feeling that it could be them interfering with me conceiving, although when i asked my doctor he always said that he didnt think it was possible.
however thru my own research i discovered that they contain prolactin, and raised prolactin levels lead to a condition called Hyperprolactinaemia which is one of the main causes of annovulation. i know one particular med i was on led to my boobs being agony all month which would also make sense as prolactin is a milk producing hormone.
they have never checked my prolactin levels but im now convinced this is what has caused my annovulation.
ive now stopped taking them and hope the prolactin will be out of my system soon.
might be worth considering for anyone else who has had annovulatory cycles whilst taking these as they are so commonly prescribed now

 

[fluffystar]

Hi tink,
which were ssri are you on? I spoke to my doc when I knew I wanted to start ttc and they wanted to change to sertraline though that was so there was less risk to a baby rather than any effect on ovulation. I was previousy on citalopram and though my cycles were irregular which was normal for me, I was ovulating.

Did you talk to your gp about your concerns?
Love fluffy xx

 

[tink28]

hi fluffy

i was on paroxetine (seroxat) quite long term which is when i had the severe breast pain and more recently i have also been on citalopram. when i mentioned it to my doctor he said it shouldnt cause any problems with conception etc but i just have a gut feeling that thats what has caused my annovulation. maybe the prolactin affects some people more than others?
i never directly asked for my prolactin levels to be checked tho.
i dont want to be on meds while im pregnant anyway so have decided to come off them and see how i go x

 

[fluffystar]

Hi Tink,
I didnt want to be on meds while TTC either but I was sensitive to changes in doses and it took me 6 months to come off. Just my luck that it has then taken 18 further months of TTC and still no BFP!!
Do you think your doc would be open to looking at your prolactin levels? It cant hurt to mention it?
Fluffy xx

 

[tink28]

hi fluffy

i may well mention it if i have no luck with clomid this cycle. this is my 1st clomid cycle 50mg. hoping if the meds have caused the raised prolactin levels then they will be leaving my system fairly rapidly! i was naughty and came off the meds cold turkey, had 2 weeks of feeling awful with dizziness etc.
sending u loads of baby dust!!!xx

 

[DragonMummy]

they shouldnt cause any issues. however the only one licenced in uk to take whilst pregnant (therefore safe while ttc) is fluoxetine, might be worth switching to that for peace of mind?

 

[tink28]

ah i didnt realise that about fluxoetine. i seem to be doin ok off meds atm so will see how i go.x

 

[caz & bob]

my friend stop her tabs and got pregnant about a month or to after xxxxx

 

[tink28]

really? that is interesting as i am convinced this is whats caused my problems, i never have any menstrual issues before, cycles thru my teens were pretty regular and im sure i O'd as always noticed a lot of EWCM bang mid cycle.
its only been in the past 6 yrs or so ive had longer cycles 32 days + and the issues with annovulation. do u know what tabs your friend was on out of interest?