Steroid's effect on sperm?

katib77

So it just hit me.  DH was put on steroids for the allergic reaction that's going bonkers since Tuesday (see blog or my post yesterday re: Hospitals & baby births below for more details).  In three months from now is when we'll do the third IUI (first one with injects) that I've been looking forward to ever since this forced break.  Anyone know off hand the effect of Prednisone on sperm?  I know hearing the general "the juice will shrink the balls" thing for body builders...but don't know if that's differant from medical use steroids.  And if only limited use will effect the count.  And if I should have them do a S/A before going ahead with the cycle then or what.  Craaapppp!  Yet another thing with MFI that I now need to think about.  Should we just skip January now and wait another month to be safe?  That means stretching a seven month break into eight! Mutha-trucka!  IF sucks so much!

Gingham

Sorry Sweetie - I had no idea, but through a bit of googling it looks like Prednisone does affect sperm count:(  I'm not sure how long the effects of steroids last.  You may want to talk to your RE about it. 

IF does suck so much.  "Normal" people wouldn't even have to think/worry about this.  ((Hugs))

pantsarella

I've asked our RE about this since DH had been on it roughly 3 months before his SA. She said it's really only anabolic steroids that affect sperm. Prednisone is from a different family of steroids. Maybe if he was on a really high dosage or took it for a long time it might, but just a normal course of it shouldn't. 

ELF4321

Hi Kati!  I'm totally lurking on here, as usual, and decided to do some online hunting for info on this.  I found the prescribing information for prednisone online on drugs.com and it does mention in "other" side effects in the section aimed at doctors (but not mentioned in the consumer section, interestingly): "increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa". 

Not sure how to read that -- might actually increase the numbers or could decrease them?  It sounds like it's probably a small risk, and it may not even be an issue by January (unless he's going to be on it for a long time).  I think your idea of getting an S/A before spending all of that money on an injects cycle, is worth talking to the RE about. 

Sorry to hear another possible wrench has been thrown into things by this.  I hope YH is feeling better, at least.

katib77

Thanks ladies.  I searched as well and couldn't find much info.  I'm sure just being on 60mg for 8 days shouldn't be that bad.  And I'll talk to RE about it before starting the injects cycle in january to hear his thoughts before chunking down all that money.

sbrowns08

I would call your RE (or does DH have a uro?). I'm so type A though and need to cover all of my bases. I'm sure he'll be fine, but in my opinion, better safe than sorry.

Hope he feels better!

farmerlynda

I would definitely talk to the RE about it, and FWIW I've read that the spermatogenesis cycle is more accurately 70 days (the three months is rounding up, I guess)... not sure if that helps or hurts based on your cycles and the dates that YH is on the prednisone!

Sorry that this throws a wrench in the gears, like you need something else to stress about!  Ugh!

kobrie01

We're going for iui#3 tomorrow and my husband took prednisone 3wks ago for 10 days following surgey to remove his tonsils! I didn't even think to ask the RE about it! I will re-post Tom after iui with how he makes out. His sperm count and motility are consistently strong so if the numbers drop, we might know why!

katib77

@ kobrie01 - like previous posters said, since the sperm coming out now were "born" 70-90 days ago, your H taking anything three weeks ago should not effect his current "crop" of sperm.