Accutane And Infertility (Page 19) (Top voted first)

I took accutane almost 14 years ago as a teenager. I am now a 32 year old woman who has just been diagnosed with infertility that they believe is linked to autoimmune issues. I truly believe that accutane is the cause of this; from the research that I have done it seems that accutane has been linked to other thyroid-related diseases, but that they have not yet been able to prove a link between accutane and infertility. There are, however, actually more people like me out there than I originally thought. Being diagnosed with ovarian dysfunction has been a horrific, horrific blow. And while there was plenty of information about accutane and birth defects, no one ever mentioned a possibility of future infertility. I was a teenager! This is a tragedy and I believe something should be done about it. If you too have been affected diagnosed with infertility and have taken accutane, please email me. There are plenty of suits against accutance. If there are enough of us, we can come together to do the medical research and get the help we now need.

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I was prescribed Accutane in my mid teens and from memory the only concerns listed were female related as in birth defects. I am now 28 and my now Wife and I have been trying on and off for the last 6 years to conceive after the first 6 months of nothing we got referred to the IVF specialist my wife had a Laporoscopy (spelling) and my sperm was analysed the findings were that my wife was fine and healthy and it was in fact my sperm count and motility that was the problem we haven't had any follow up with the IVF since then as we were told to keep trying naturally fill in the relevant temp charts to plot ovulation cycles etc. and well here we are 6 years later and still no children although we are now married as of 3 weeks ago all we want is a family. I would be keen to join and pursue a lawsuit if evidence can lead to that

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I had cystic acne as an adult. At 24 I got put on accutane and was on it for 4 months. At the age of 29 I ended up getting Ovarian Cancer. With ovarian cancer you are at a higher risk with no pregnancies or ovulation. So I'm wondering if being on Accuntane caused this. I have no family history and I don't have the genetic mutation for it. Anyone else have this problem??

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Just a reminder if you haven't signed this please do!
change.org/petitions/tell-roche-pharmaceuticals-give-us-the-truth-about-accutane

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I too took accutane in 2001 when I was 17. Today I am almost 29 and have been diagnosed with infertility. We have been trying to conceive for almost 3 years. I see that you posted this in 2010... Have you taken any action since? Please contact me.

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Have you considered that advanced maternal age is reponsible?

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Advanced maternal age is defined as age 35 years and older. I would think that you would know that since you are a doctor. So, no, I do not consider that as the reason for my infertility. Furthermore, neither does the reproductive endocrinologist.

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Dermatology doc I thought you had seen sense and stopped poking your nose in. Why don't you keep your mindless comments to yourself, you are somewhat of a pain to all on here for a specific reason. Butt out as your comments are unhelpful.

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Pity bubble! Ha ha ha, you need pity dermatology doc. Why the hell would anyone spend time on a forum for infertility if they didn't need to. You need to get out, get a life and get a grip. Please do us all a favour and stop posting.

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Hello Sara:) I would love for you to contact me offline if possible. We have identical circumstances. Thanks, Carrie

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Sure Carrie, I'd be happy to contact you. But how do I do that? (I realized after I posted the original posting that I didn't have access to anyone's information that posted and therefore couldn't get ahold of them....)

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Okay, so Accutane is a Chemo drug right???? So just like anyother person who takes Chemo they have the chance of infertility. In fact many young women with Cancer have thier eggs perserved for that reason.
Difference is that Derms don't tell you that Accutane is a cancer treating drug, they tell you dry lips and skin, So your basically poisoning yourself for a mild conditon of acne...Yes it is over prescribed!

If you are tried of reading about thier infertility issues, then don't read this thread simple as that! I am sure you have better things to do right????

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I am debating taking Accutane. I am 26 and just got married in August. I'm trying to research as much as I can before I take it because I am worried about what you all are talking about here. I'd like to know how many of you also took birth control before, during, and after taking Accutane? I've been told its a necessity while taking Accutane however birth control may be related to all the things you ladies are talking about regarding infertility.

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I took birth control pills before during and after taking accutane. I have never seen or heard of any infertility "side effects" from taking birth control pills. "The birth control pills produced today contain a fraction of estrogen and other chemicals compared to pills from the forty years ago or more. In fact, doctors will advise that most women can start tying to get pregnant immediately after stopping the pill without any problem." Additionally, my issue was egg quality. I had no problem getting pregnant. I had an issue with staying pregnant but only due to egg quality. If you are planning to have a family naturally, I would strongly suggest not taking accutane. The risks associated with the drug are totally not worth it! Try not to think of the immediate effects but think of the long-term effects and what you ate potentially giving up. Also, there is a link between infertility and accutane. There is a study on pubmed.gov. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. If I had it to do all over I never would have taken the accutane!

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It states in the Rx info that it can cause irregular menses! It is a Chemo drug for rare brain cancers and was found to clear acne. Do you have severe cystic acne??? Have you tried diet,light therapy, other holistic remedies??? Do you have hormonal issues?

Infertility is just one issue, when you sign the forms and read the info, you will also have to worry about IBD, Chron's, Depression, Joint problems, bone problems, Diabetes, Alopecia...That's just a few!

My Advice Don't Take It! Besides pregnancy can cause acne and well Accutane is NOT a cure many have thier acne come back!

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I don't know how helpful this is and my sincere condolences about your fertility issue.. all of our eggs are made extremely early on in life and "wait" mid-meiotic cycle to be released and fertilized. I agree that isotretinoin should be looked at as a cause of incorrect chromosome assortment, but if someone told you all of your eggs are bad, that suggests a problem that started when you were an infant. Glad to hear you were able to start your family though!

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I am a 53 year old woman, I took Roaccutane 18years ago, for moderate acne as my sister 3 years younger did.

She now has Ulcerated colitis and is not a well woman, I went through early menopause, and have had a 'gut full' of problems. Hair falling out, headaches, severe fatigue and joint pain, stomach problems (severe pain) and severe itchy welts which last for 2 weeks after being out in the sun (made me feel very ill with ). ...... all which I am being tested for lupus at the moment.

I honestly believe that these symptoms are all from taking Roaccutane. However, general practitioners give me the "what are you talking about, you took that drug 20 years ago" response. I wish there was more education about this hideous drug.....and the manufacturers should all be given a big dose of it themselves!

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I'm male, took roaccutane 20yrs ago and now after a cople of years being unsuccessful at starting a family, at 36 I've been diagnosed infertile. Anyone aware of links to male infertility?

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I am 29 years old. I took accutane when I was 16, and have been diagnosed with unexplained I fertility. I do not ovulate at all. After completing a round of in vitro, when only 2 of my 28 eggs fertilized, they tested my eggs and said I have poor egg quality. I am the Only woman i my family suffering from infertility.

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Well considering that Accutane is a chemo drug for cancer yes it can cause infertility! Not to mention the Rx info states that it can cause irregular menses in which could mean a host of problems.
Please people infertility is hard enough, but to be damaged by a drug and then have people come on here and say these things.....

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Do you any studies of spem motility from before you took isotretinoin? This issue has been studied and there have been no efffects seen on sperm.

In studies of 66 men, 30 of whom were patients with nodular acne under treatment with oral isotretinoin, no significant changes were noted in the count or motility of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. In a study of 50 men (ages 17 to 32 years) receiving Accutane (isotretinoin) therapy for nodular acne, no significant effects were seen on ejaculate volume, sperm count, total sperm motility, morphology or seminal plasma fructose.

Doesn't mean you are not the first, but this effect has been noted with Augmentin and Cephalosporin antibiotics and smoking.

Heat, pesticides, any of the estrogen mimicing chemicals which are now found in drinking water.

You might want to consult a male fertility specialist and possibly a tox screen for the chemicals associated with problems with sperm motility.

Actually, the first step is to repeat the test. Zero sperm motility is quite rare compared to decreased sperm motility.

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