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Metformin and sperm quality
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Metformin and sperm quality

1 June 2011
|In FAQ
|By Gülden Halis

June 1, 2011

Metformin to improve sperm quality

 

Metformin is a medication that increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, which leads to improved sugar metabolism, among other things. It has been used very successfully for many years in women with PCOS syndrome and insulin resistance.

To date, there are very few therapeutic strategies that have been proven to improve sperm quality.

There is evidence of a close connection between being overweight and impaired sperm quality.

According to a recently published study, multiple-month metformin therapy improves weight-related metabolic parameters in overweight men. Metabolic syndrome and impaired spermogram results in reduced sperm quality.

That Metabolic syndrome is „characterized by the factors: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), altered blood lipid levels (dyslipidemia) and insulin resistance. The disease develops from a lifestyle characterized by permanent overeating and a lack of exercise and affects a high proportion of the population living in industrialized countries.“ (Wikipedia)

In particular, men with increased abdominal circumference tend to have reduced testosterone levels (total testosterone + free testosterone) and an increased estrogen level. This is demonstrably detrimental to spermatogenesis.

In this study, 45 men aged between 26 and 44 years with OAT syndrome (too few sperm, poor motility, few with normal body shape) received metformin for over 6 months at a dose of 2-3 times 850 mg/day.

At the end of the study, although no changes were found in the waist circumference values, several significant hormones had improved significantly. Increased: Testosterone, free testosterone. Decreased: SHBG, estrogen.

Ultimately, a significant improvement was observed in all 3 sperm parameters (see above).

Source:
Morgante et al., Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 95, No. 6, May 2011

Ultimately, it must be decided individually whether such therapy is appropriate and beneficial for a patient with fertility problems. In particular, the time required for the expected improvement could often be a limiting factor. The occasional (5 %) side effects that occur with metformin (mild nausea, loose stools) could also lead to premature discontinuation of therapy.

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