Men and their need for fertility drugs
Not many couples are aware of fertility
drugs for men. Most of the time, they tend to think that drugs of fertility are
meant to be used by women. However, the truth is that just like women need to
have a proper hormonal balance for ovulation, men also need hormones to ensure
healthy sperm production. One of the causes of male infertility is secondary
hypogonadism, which is the only condition in men who are facing fertility
issues that can be treated by medications.
Secondary hypogonadism refers to the
condition when the hypothalamus or pituitary gland fails to function properly,
thereby leading to hormonal changes and preventing the normal testosterone
levels, leading to an inhibition of sperm production. Men suffering from this
condition are found to have little to no sperm count on testing. For this
condition, fertility drugs for men can play a huge role. For other causes,
lifestyle modifications, surgery or assisted methods of reproductions should be
considered.
It has been seen that the fertility drugs
which prove to be effective in stimulating ovulation work well enough for sperm
production as well. However, the issue is that they are not as effective as for
women and not all of the fertility drugs for women can be used by men as per
the FDA. Therefore, you should seek assistance from a specialist who can
prescribe you with the right fertility drugs for men.
How fertility drugs for men work
Different options are available. Clomiphene
citrate, hCG, and hMG are some of the options that are used to treat men
suffering from secondary hypogonadism. Each has a different mechanism of
action.
Clomiphene citrate serves to stimulate the
pituitary glands to produce hormones that lead to the production of
testosterone and thus, more sperm. hCG, on the other hand, directly stimulates
the testes to produce testosterone. Sometimes, these fertility drugs are also
used in association with assisted reproductive techniques.
Using the drug
If it is clomiphene citrate that you are
using, you would need to take a pill thrice a week and the treatment cycle
lasts for around three to six months. You will find the drug safe to use for as
long as two years, provided that the hormone levels remain within the normal
range.
The hCG treatment comprises of two to three
injections in a week and the cycle runs for around six months. If there is no
improvement in the sperm count within this cycle, you might be prescribed
additional hMG injections. You might have to wait for a couple of years to see the
maximum effectiveness of the treatment.
It is normal for doctors to recommend ART
if the couple is unable to conceive within a year of the treatment, although
sperm has appeared in the semen. During the ART treatment, men might still be
prescribed fertility drugs to keep the sperm production stimulated.
Chances of pregnancy
Results vary from case to case. In some
cases, the fertility drugs serve to have a great effect, while in others, they
fail to show results. Fertility drugs for men have mixed results. Clomiphene
citrate is a safe and inexpensive option but is also an option with a low
success rate.
On the other hand, hMG and hCG have better
chances of success when it comes to treatment of secondary hypogonadism.
Side effects that you need to be wary of
There are no drugs which do not carry the
risk of side effects, and these fertility drugs are no different in this
regard. Oral pills usually have mild effects and would not place your health in
jeopardy. They include nausea, headache, and change in vision along with weight
gain, change in sex drive, dizziness, and gynecomastia.
The injectable options, on the other hand,
can lead to soreness at the injection site along with acne. They can also lead
to breast enlargement and change in sex drive.
Cost of the drugs
The cost of the drug depends on the brand
that you opt for and the dose that you have been prescribed. You will have to
inquire if your insurance policy covers the cost of these drugs.
Getting professional consultation
Men tend to be uncomfortable when it comes
to talking about fertility issues. As a result, they are reluctant in seeking
medical attention. Often, they would opt for tests and then seek treatment
through over-the-counter medications. This is not the kind of approach that
would bring any benefits your way. You need to realize that there are many
causes of low semen production, and only a doctor would be able to tell you the
cause of your infertility. Hence, you need to place your faith in them. Seeking
medical attention at the right time can save you precious time and ensure that
you do not end up wasting years in fruitless attempts. Therefore, if you have
trouble conceiving, a proper medical checkup is what you need.
It is always a good idea to know what you
are using. Therefore, endeavor to find out everything about the drug that you
have been prescribed. In the age of the internet, this is not going to be
difficult and you will be able to find complete information with ease. Therefore,
you will be well aware beforehand of what you are signing up for. This will
keep you on your toes and ensure that you seek attention at the slightest
presence of any problems.
Fertility issues are not easy to deal with
since emotions tend to run high. However, it is important that you remain calm
throughout it all. Ensure that you listen to everything that the doctor has to
say and understand the weight of his words. Do not be disappointed at the
failure to conceive. Science has progressed quite a bit, so you will have
plenty of options as your treatment. What is necessary is to ensure that you do
not lose hope and opt for the right decision.
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