Active ingredient: Sertraline

Brand Name: Zoloft, Lustral, Setrona

Drug class: Antidepressant, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Mechanism of Action:

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

Sertraline works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft, which helps improve mood and reduce anxiety. Additionally, SSRIs like Sertraline are associated with increased levels of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid synthesized from progesterone, which plays a crucial role in regulating reproductive functions

Effect on fertility biomarkers

Sertraline may indirectly affect fertility by altering hormonal balance, potentially leading to menstrual cycle disorders and vaginal dryness in some women. However, it is not directly linked to causing infertility. Ovulation: Some reports suggest that SSRIs like sertraline can interfere with ovulation by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, though this is not common. Most women experience no significant impact on ovulation.

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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/

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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.