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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Difficulty In Conceiving A Baby?

hi im 27 and im on medication for depression im on amitriptyline 150mg aday for (`12months now) and valium 5mg aday.ive been trying to concieve with my soon to be husband for 12months with no luck .I had a abortion 4 years ago and he has already a child of 8years old so surely we both are capable of having a baby together ,im really worried as ive read amitriptyline may be causing the problem if so if i stop taking them will this give me more chance thankyou
Sat, 26 Dec 2015
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OBGYN 's  Response
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication which really does not have any effect on your hormones or ability to conceive.

However this medication is known to have an increased risk associated with birth defects, and for this reason, is not recommend to be taken during pregnancy.

So it is unlikely that your fertility issues that you have at this point are caused by either of the medications that you take for depression.

I recommend if you have not yet done so that you consult with an OB/GYN physician or fertility specialist for evaluation. Even if you or and your partner have both had children previously, that does not mean that new problems can develop with one or both of you. A preliminary hormonal evaluation of you and a test of your husband sperm should be performed at this point. You also should consider discussing your impending pregnancy with your psychiatrist and possibly trying to switch to a medication that can be used more safely during pregnancy.

So in summary, I do not believe that your psychiatric medications are actually the cause of your fertility problem, however it would be a good idea to have a plan to switch off these medications as once you conceive they can put the baby at risk for birth defects.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that this information was helpful.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown
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What Causes Difficulty In Conceiving A Baby?

Hello, and I hope I can help you today. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication which really does not have any effect on your hormones or ability to conceive. However this medication is known to have an increased risk associated with birth defects, and for this reason, is not recommend to be taken during pregnancy. So it is unlikely that your fertility issues that you have at this point are caused by either of the medications that you take for depression. I recommend if you have not yet done so that you consult with an OB/GYN physician or fertility specialist for evaluation. Even if you or and your partner have both had children previously, that does not mean that new problems can develop with one or both of you. A preliminary hormonal evaluation of you and a test of your husband sperm should be performed at this point. You also should consider discussing your impending pregnancy with your psychiatrist and possibly trying to switch to a medication that can be used more safely during pregnancy. So in summary, I do not believe that your psychiatric medications are actually the cause of your fertility problem, however it would be a good idea to have a plan to switch off these medications as once you conceive they can put the baby at risk for birth defects. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that this information was helpful. Best wishes, Dr. Brown