I have enjoyed the benefits of Ivermectin and learning of the benefits. But is Ivermectin and infertility connected? Recently in school we had an assignment to review the DINDs (drug induced nutrient depletions) and I chose Ivermectin. As an antibiotic, it is shown to lower liver concentrations of vitamin K2 (menaquinone), but vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) levels remained normal. There are so many empowering details to know in life and the study of nutrition is super fun because it is simple to study ingredients. I want to find the food, the herb, or the natural elixir that I know in my core will provide nourishment without side effects. Here is a recent paper that highlights my struggles in distinguishing between good and bad evidence. The asking and searching is the science.
I am not a medical doctor; I did not choose that path, so in no way, shape, or form am I promoting any medical advice. I am degreed in Nutrition and sharing my journal, my struggles, and my work for my son, and children at risk, then emanating that learning through my clinical work and volunteering efforts to “do good and cause no harm“.
Effects on Male Fertility
There is evidence from animal and limited human studies that Ivermectin can negatively affect male fertility, including lowering sperm count, reducing sperm motility, and increasing abnormal sperm forms. However, there is no direct evidence from these studies that Ivermectin prevents ovulation or causes infertility in females.
Multiple animal studies in rats show that Ivermectin administration leads to a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, and viability, as well as an increase in abnormal sperm forms and testicular damage. These effects are dose-dependent and more severe at higher doses or with prolonged use (El-Maddawy & Naby, 2018; Rabab et al., 2015; Seed et al., 2015; Barbosa et al., 2018; Abbasalipourkabir et al., 2018).
Ivermectin can reduce serum testosterone levels and the weight of reproductive organs, further indicating impaired male fertility (El-Maddawy & Naby, 2018; Seed et al., 2015).
In a human study of male onchocerciasis patients (a parasitic infection caused by roundworms, resulting in a cluster of issues such as river blindness), ivermectin therapy (the gold standard treatment) was found to be associated with reduced sperm count and motility, as well as increased abnormal sperm morphology. However, no changes were seen in sperm volume or viscosity (Oba et al., 2011).
Chart showing the effect on Male Fertility in both Animal Studies (El-Maddawy & Naby, 2018; Rabab et al., 2015; Seed et al., 2015; Barbosa et al., 2018; Abbasalipourkabir et al., 2018) and a Human Study (Oba et al., 2011):
Concern Animal Studies Human Study
Lower sperm count Yes Yes
Reduced sperm motility Yes Yes
Increased abnormal sperm forms Yes Yes (This one plagues me with more questions!)
Lower testosterone Yes Not reported
Testicular/organ damage Yes Not reported
Effects on Female Fertility and Ovulation
Oddly, research with humans does not provide evidence that Ivermectin prevents ovulation or directly causes infertility in women. The available data focus on pregnancy outcomes (e.g., miscarriage, congenital disabilities), and the evidence is insufficient to conclude effects on ovulation or female fertility (Chaccour et al., 2020; Van Hees et al., 2020).
Current evidence indicates that Ivermectin can impair male fertility by lowering sperm count, motility, and quality, based on animal and limited human studies. There is no direct evidence that Ivermectin prevents ovulation or causes infertility in females, but data on female reproductive effects certainly remains limited.
Conclusions
Do I think Ivermectin is still valuable and serves a purpose? Yes, maybe as a parasite cleanse.
Does it matter what I think? No, you have to decide what you do and should be educated and never let fear grip your decisions.
We must each weigh the risks and benefits of our own choices. It is vital to be fully aware and educated when I make a decision.
Do I believe eating the best possible sourced and ratio of foods have power? Of course, I have many years of experience studying nutrition, helping people return to health by focusing on good, wild proteins, great fiber, fermented foods, fresh organic vegetables, and hydration. I am a Chapter Leader for Weston A Price Foundation and love how they connect consumers to farmers for local, high-nutrient foods!
Will I use herbs and homeopaths to mitigate issues? Yes.
However, in acute situations, I do step out and seek to understand what I am putting in my body. Hopefully, these small and acute more synthetic intakes of medicines like Ivermectin are not enough to cause harm. Generally, it seems to provide the “punch” needed to push through immune issues.
And my brain ponders if the connection is that Ivermectin kills helminths and other parasites and eggs- and this is the possible mechanism that translates to damaging our reproductive processes too? Or just too much?
No clear consensus on doses are given, other than a range from 6mg to 12mg. And some studies show that you cannot overdose on Ivermectin (Tessari R. et al., 2022). So as I ponder, consult your medical doctor on these issues but remember it is your body and you will live with the decisions you make, not the doctor.
Ultimately from a nutritional perspective, this is my genuine recipe for life! Nutrition and lifestyle is always the most fun and delicious option.
Mandy
References
El-Maddawy, Z., & Naby, W. (2018). Effects of ivermectin and its combination with alpha lipoic acid on expression of IGFBP‐3 and HSPA1 genes and male rat fertility. Andrologia, 50. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12891
Rabab, R., , E., , A., Amin, A., Fatah, A., & , H. (2015). Toxicological and pathological studies of Ivermectin on male albino rats. **.
Seed, S., ElSawy, A., & El-Maddawy, Z. (2015). Adverse Effects of Ivermectin in comparison with Rafoxanide on Male Rats. alexandria journal of veterinary sciences, 47, 119-128. https://doi.org/10.5455/AJVS.198997
Chaccour, C., Rabinovich, N., Maia, M., Bassat, Q., Nicolás, P., Monteiro, W., Menéndez, C., Bardají, A., & Kobylinski, K. (2020). Safety of oral Ivermectin during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. Global health, 8, e92 – e100. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30453-X
Barbosa, C., De Souza Spinosa, H., De Andrade Galvão, N., Ciscato, C., Bernardi, M., Moreira, N., Bonamin, L., Gonçalves, V., Slobodticov, J., Bondan, E., & Cordeiro, F. (2018). Ivermectin acute administration impaired the spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis of adult rats.. Research in veterinary science, 117, 178-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.12.013
Van Hees, S., Fodjo, J., Raimon, S., & Colebunders, R. (2020). Safety of Ivermectin during pregnancy.. The Lancet. Global health, 8 3, e338. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30555-8
Abbasalipourkabir, M., Abbasalipourkabir, R., Hosseini, F., & Bashiri, A. (2018). Study effects of Ivermectin and interaction with supplements vitamin A and vitamin C on Reproductive system in male Wistar rat. **. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7579-C2-040
Oba, I., E.Cb., A., I.Nd., N., , O., & , O. (2011). Effects of Ivermectin therapy on the sperm functions of Nigerian onchocerciasis patients. Archives of Applied Science Research, 3, 533-543.
Tessari, R., Antinori, S., Rulli, E., Nobili, A., Buonfrate, D., Bisoffi, Z., De Simone, I., Campoli, C., Roncaglioni, M., Pomari, E., Alvisi, M., Gobbi, M., Martini, D., Casalini, G., Fernandez, M., Deiana, M., Chesini, F., & Lunardi, G. (2022). High-dose ivermectin for early treatment of COVID-19 (COVER study): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase II, dose-finding, proof-of-concept clinical trial. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 59, 106516 – 106516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106516.
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