Drugs and fertility Drugs and fertility Prescribed drugs Both prescribed and recreational drugs can affect fertility and cause problems for pregnancy. If you are taking any of these and wanting pregnancy, it is best to discuss it with your doctor rather than just stopping them. Propranolol, methyldopa, chlorpromazine and some antidepressants are known to cause erection difficulties. Recreational drugs Cannabis, cocaine and anabolic steroids are all known to significantly reduce the sperm count and affect fertility.
Cannabis can also interfere with ovulation in women.
There is also an increased risk of miscarriage in smokers. Although studies have not specifically found that smoking delays conception or affects fertility, it would be sensible to give up in view of the health benefits. If a woman has an otherwise healthy diet, there is no need for additional multivitamin tablets. There is now very good evidence that taking 400 micrograms of folic acid per day when becoming pregnant reduces the risk of neural tube disorders such as spina bifida. In women who have had a previous pregnancy affected by this condition or who are epileptic and on medication, this should be increased to 5mg per day.