From: poundn@mcmail.cis.McMaster.CA (N. Pound)
Subject: Re: Methadone - effects on male fertility?
Date: 1997/04/25
Newsgroups: alt.drugs.hard

>I just found out that a friend's husband is on methadone maintenance
>and they are currently trying to conceive a baby.  They have been
>trying for around 9 months now, but no luck as yet.  Since my friend
>does not have Internet access, she asked me to post this question.
>
>What effects, if any, does methadone have on male fertility?

First of all most opiate drugs tend to reduce sexual motivation and
delay ejaculation. Both of these might affect the amount of sperm that
are successfully delivered into the female's tubes. Note that naloxone
has been shown to be successful in treating certain forms of impotence.

In addition to this opiate drugs can inhibit the activity of various male
sex hormones. I don't know if any research has been done with methadone
but other opiates can reduce testosterone secretion and probably sperm
production.

Of course tolerance to these effects may develop rapidly and in any case
opiates certainly are not to be recommended as a contraceptive.

However, a couple having trouble conceiving would probably stand a better
chance without the methadone.

Nick P.

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