Pregnancy after antibiotics - should we wait or not?

[fiona135]

Hi! My husband and I are planning our first pregnancy. Both of us took antibiotics (doxycycline) for 10 days in the end of december. We used condoms that cycle, because this medication was not compatible with pregnancy. My doctor says that we can already start TTC - by the time I ovulate our bodies will be free of antibiotics for about 28-30 days

Comments

[dreamer512]

I don't know about when the male uses it, but when I went through IVF, it was standard at my clinic for the woman to use doxycycline just prior to a transfer. I would think that if it's safe for me to use it, it's safe for the man.

[patamon]

I was going to mention the same thing about IVF. Where we went, it was standard for both partners to take doxycycline as part of the cycle/treatment.

[fiona135]

Interesting, I didn't know that. Do they take it once or for a long period of time before the IVF?

I'm kinda scared though...
'The long-term effect of these antibiotics on male reproductive tract development has not been fully elucidated. But the treatment of male mice with doxycycline led to long-lasting effects on reproductive organs and spermatozoa in adult males'.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23384891

[nynaeve_sedai]

From what I'm reading, this was done on mice. I'd only start to get worried if they had several studies supporting this one and there was a clear concern for humans. A single study could have loads of problems that we, the layperson, know nothing about. Consensus is the name of the game.

I wouldn't stress about it.

[nynaeve_sedai]

I'd go with my doctor. If I wasn't sure I'd ask another doctor. That's my take anyway :)

[hungry_worm]

That recommendation you heard from other sources probably stems from the fact that spermatogenesis takes 74 days (fact. If it matters any/if the antibiotic has dna changing ability... I doubt it). On the other hand, it seems there have been studies where infertile couples were treated with doxy to find out if treatment improves fertilization rates (in patients with male accessory gland infection) - results seem to have been inconclusive as both groups showed similar rates of success/failure, but it dies not sound as if doxy was contraindicated prior to ttc

[fiona135]

I'm kinda scared though...
'The long-term effect of these antibiotics on male reproductive tract development has not been fully elucidated. But the treatment of male mice with doxycycline led to long-lasting effects on reproductive organs and spermatozoa in adult males'.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23384891

[megamuphen]

I have never heard of this ever. I don't remember if my husband or I were on antibiotics before ttc, but if we were it wouldn't have stopped us.