Active ingredient: Paroxetine

Brand Name: Aropax, Paxil, Pexeva, Seroxat, Sereupin, Brisdelle

Drug class: Antidepressant, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Mechanism of Action:

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Paroxetine increases serotonin levels by inhibiting its reuptake in the brain, improving mood. SSRIs like paroxetine are also associated with a rise in allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid derived from progesterone, which helps regulate reproductive functions and other physiological processes.

Effect on fertility biomarkers

Paroxetine can cause hormonal imbalances, potentially leading to menstrual irregularities, vaginal dryness, and reduced fertility. The increase in allopregnanolone could influence reproductive function, though the exact effects on fertility are not well-established. In some cases, paroxetine may disrupt ovulation by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, though this is uncommon. Like other SSRIs, paroxetine is linked to sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido, which can indirectly impact fertility

First
Second
Third
…

Ovulation, Mucus

View the chart

References:

Uzunova V, Wrynn AS, Kinnunen A, Ceci M, Kohler C and Uzunov DP (2004). Chronic antidepressants reverse cerebrocortical allopregnanolone decline in the olfactory bulbectomized rat. Eur J Pharmacol. 486(1): 31–34 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14751405/ Jacobsen, N. W., Hansen, C. H., Nellemann, C., Styrishave, B., & Halling-Sørensen, B. (2015). Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on three sex steroids in two versions of the aromatase enzyme inhibition assay and in the H295R cell assay. Toxicology in Vitro, 29(8), 1720-1725 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887233315001666?via%3Dihub Timby E, Hedström H, Bäckström T, Sundström-Poromaa I, Nyberg S and Bixo M (2011). Allopregnanolone, a GABAA receptor agonist, decreases gonadotropin levels in women. A preliminary study. Gynecol Endocrinol Off J Int Soc Gynecol Endocrinol. 27(12): 1087–1093. DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2010.540603 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21190418/

Comments

If you have used this medication and monitored fertility biomarkers, please share your experience.

Disclaimer: The information provided may not include all possible interactions or side effects of medication. The effects on fertility biomarkers can vary and may depend on the dosage, how long the medication is used, the medical condition, or other factors. This database is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified health professional if you have questions about medications, fertility, or medical conditions.