thread: Psoriasis and male fertility

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Psoriasis and male fertility

    Looking for experiences on psoriasis and male fertility.
    Background on us:

    Conceived our DD after 5 months of trying.
    DH's psoriasis was well and truly under control.
    12 months of trying for #2- DH's psoriasis not completely out of control, but middle of the range.
    SA comes back with 99% not working sperm.
    GP believes its related to chronic psoriasis- she believes the count will go up, when psoriasis under control.
    Skin specialist told DH that his psoriasis is in no way related to his poor sperm count.
    We don't see the FS until March.
    Does anyone have any experience in this area?

    TIA

    PS my results are all normal.

  2. #2

    Jun 2010
    District Twelve
    8,425

    I know nothing about psoriasis sorry, but I would be much more inclined to believe the specialist than the GP.

    How is the GP explaining the causal relationship??

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2004
    VIC
    1,794

    couldnt hurt to give it a try to fix it
    perhaps the contisole creams that he uses could impede sperm
    or maybe the fact its an inflamatory condition and high levels of inflamation may not be sperm friendly

    have you tried some Menevit for him
    suppose to improve sperm counts heaps!
    also zinc and magnesium are great for those swimmers as well!!
    might be worth taking them as well
    also boxer shorts instead of undies
    and even taking him to a natropath for a mixture of herbs to get the boys going


    i put DH on menevit for 1 month and POW- spermy got the egg after 10 years of trying
    funny DH threw them out and refuses to take them anymore just incase we get a repeat performance lol
    hugs hun and GL!!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks guys.....
    Det- he isnt on any creams- as they are not reccomended if the psoriasis is covering more than 30% of the body.
    The medications reccomended for such severe/chronic psoriasis are not reccomended for fertility.

    N2L- the GP thinks the psoriasis (which attacks your cells- causing your skin to grow 7x faster than average person) is impeding his immune system.
    Unfortunately, she didn't go into greater detail and I can't find anything on the net about psoriasis and male fertility.

    He is already on supplements, but my naturopath is plotting out a "new" plan for him after seeing his latest results.
    Interestingly neither my GP or naturopath recommend menevit.

    I can not wait to see my FS- bring on March!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Any other experiences?

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Where Chaos is fun and plentiful!!!!
    1,883

    I dont have any help really with MALE psoriasis, but I have psoriasis, and the meds I am on (methotrexate and prednisolone) can't be taken while pregnant or breast feeding. I know the methotrexate effects folate.. which I know is important for a women during TTC, but I am not sure about a man ???

    Mine is immune/hormone based psoriasis caused by pregnancy (so we think) it started randomly after i had my daughter, and the only meds that work are immune suppresants (creams do jack all) and it flares with my monthly cycle.

    So sorry, probably not any help, but just thought i would share

    Hopefully your FS can help!!!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks SB
    Neither methotrexate or prednisolone work for my DH these days, even though he can't/shouldn't take them when TTC.
    Off topic- have you tried elocon? Think that's how you spell it.
    DH uses it in his hair-liquid, and on his face-cream.
    It works almost instantly.
    It is a steroid cream and best prescribed under direction of a skin specialist.

    So sorry you have to suffer through it

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    A Pirate Ship
    3,627

    I have bad eczema so it's a similar problem. The only reason I could see it being remotely related to fertility is the stress factor. Skin flare ups are often related to stress and that in turn can have a negative impact on fertility. Other than that I can't see any reason for a skin condition to have much to do with fertility Zinc is great for skin and fertility also so get your dh on supplements not just menivit (sp) as the dosage isn't high enough. Also a good all round probiotic and lots of Omega 3 in something like fish oil or flaxseed oil and avos etc will do wonders for him. HTH

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Where Chaos is fun and plentiful!!!!
    1,883

    I have tried elocin - did nothing lol Only one cream worked whcih was advantan or something like that- but even that stopped after a bit.

    Its horrible.. i hope he finds some releif soon and you guys have some really good news soon xoxox

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks cherished!

    Psoriasis is an auto immune disease, so not just a skin condition- I think the GP was more worried about the internal effects.
    What sort of probiotic would you recommend?
    DH loves avo's, so I'll encourage him to eat more

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks Starbright
    DH used to take neotigisan (not sure on spelling) with great success also.
    Not advisable for PG women or when TTC.
    It's a very strong drug....

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    Melbourne
    2,737

    I have psoriasis on my elbows and scalp. It's not too bad, but my mum has it too and she broke out all over when she had me (her first) So I worry for when I finally conceive.
    Not sure on the male fertility side, but I don't see how they could be related.

    I use a lotion called 'EXOREX' and it's the only thing that works! It gets a little bit redder at first, but then it almost completely disappears.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    A Pirate Ship
    3,627

    Working on improving the gut flora will help all auto immune diseases which eczema is too. The probiotic I am trying to track down is biokult. I'm going to start the GAPS diet when I'm back on my feet too which lots of people are having great success with. Good luck with it all.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks Tasha.....
    I have found a few studies regarding psoriasis and female fertility.
    No studies regarding psoriasis and male fertility....

    Thanks for all the suggestions guys

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    In Bankworld with Barbara
    14,222

    I have had psoriasis since I was 13, and reasonably severely and I have never had a problem with fertility. I think your GP is making some massive assumptions and honeslty I would go with the dermatologist on this. I use both Elocon lotion and cream and they do work a treat - I have also continued to use them during pregnancy as well as they are a topical treatment and will not affect a baby and therefore they should not affect his sperm when TTC. In-Liven is a fantastic probiotic as well. It is an auto immune disease, which means that our immune systems are hyperactive so to speak and work much faster than a person's who doesn't have it. TBH, I would be looking at other causes for his sperm issues. By all means getting his p under control can't do any harm, but I think the FS will be able to shed more light on it for you.

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks Trill

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Rural NSW
    491

    I also agree that I would be looking at other reasins for the sprem issues.

    My DH has uncontrolable psoriasis nothing he does can get it under control, he is actually seeing a specialist this afternoon, and while it did take three years to conceive our DS there was nothing wrong with his sperm analysis.

    Good Luck!!

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    Thanks frantelle!
    Good luck to your DH