The research comes from Ohio State University. Here it has been found that some medications prescribed to female patients can affect their reproductive system. However, the full clinical effects of this are unclear. At this stage, the research signals are warning that some antidepressants may be unsuitable for those seeking to have a child.
The finding has come about through meta-analysis where previous research has been reviewed and the results amalgamated. In total, 37 separate strands of research were reviewed. Commenting on the outcome, Dr. Tamar Gur, who is employed at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, stated: “Increasing knowledge of consequences of mental illness and its prescribed treatment on reproductive health is important for patients and clinicians when making decisions affecting the patient’s health and the health of their unborn child.” Similar effects were noted for both men and women. With women, the effect of depression and related medications was stronger; with men, this was greatest with anxiety.
The outcome of the review has been published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, in a paper headed “The effect of mental illness and psychotropic medication on gametes and fertility: a systematic review.”
In related news, earlier studies have shown that severe depression and anxiety can exert an effect on an unborn child’s central nervous system. Coupled with the new finding, it is apparent that the effects of antidepressants and depression in general should be clearly laid out to men or women when they visit healthcare professionals.
