What drugs can affect sperm?

The effects of some commonly used drugs on fertility are easily overlooked. Some of the drugs in daily use can inhibit sperm survival or even cause a complete lack of sperm production, in addition to affecting sperm maturation, motility, and morphology. These effects of medications can gradually recover with drug discontinuation or over time, but the effects of some drugs can be permanent. Drugs affect male fertility in four ways: first, they act directly on the male gonads, affecting the function of sperm-producing spermatogenic cells in the testes and a type of testis called Leydig cells: second, they act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting the normal secretion of hormones in the body leading to changes in gonadotropin and testosterone levels, ultimately affecting fertility; third, they impair ejaculatory function and the erectile function of the penis, so that semen can not enter the spouse, thus leading to sperm disorders. Fourth, it negatively affects the male libido, making the couple lack a normal sex life. There are several types of drugs that can affect fertility: i. Chemotherapy drugs; the effect of chemotherapy drugs on fertility is related to the type of chemotherapy drug, the dose and the time the drug is used. Commonly used chemotherapy drugs that have an impact on fertility include: Adriamycin, Zhentomycin, Vincristine, Azulfidine, Azacitidine, Vincristine sulfate, Procarbazine hydrochloride, Cisplatin, Etoposide, etc. Second, blood pressure drugs; most blood pressure drugs on fertility by impairing sexual function, some diuretics can cause erectile dysfunction by reducing vascular resistance and thus leading to inadequate blood supply to the penis, beta-blockers insulin can affect libido and erectile function. Antiseptic can affect fertility by affecting erectile function and libido as well as the potential effect on semen quality. Calcium channel blockers can inhibit the normal process of fertilization. Third, hormonal drugs; the application of anti-androgen drugs can also cause fertility problems because they can affect the normal physiological function of androgens in the body (decreased libido and sperm production disorders). Increasingly, anabolic steroids are being abused by athletes. Heavy use of anabolic androgens can lead to hypogonadism with low gonadotropins. In most cases, normal gonadal function can be restored after stopping the drug. Fourth, other drugs; some of the commonly used drugs such as: neomycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, etc. may cause a decrease in semen quality. Immunosuppressants used in organ transplant patients, such as: cyclosporine, can also cause a decrease in sperm density and viability. Colchicine and allopurinol for the treatment of gout also have adverse effects on male fertility. Furacilin, cimetidine, salazosulfadiazine, cocaine, nicotine, and marijuana can impair spermatogenesis. However, spermatogenesis and/or sperm function can return to normal after discontinuation of the drug. Exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides should also be noted.