Embarrassing Question... Can Ototoxic Meds Pass Through Semen?

So, I've been wondering something for quite a while now but have thought it was slightly irrational and embarrassing to ask but I feel pretty safe here so I'm just going to ask. Since the onset of T, I have literally gone over every possibility that could have caused this for myself including medications I was exposed to prior to developing T, stress etc. I do not want to risk exposing myself to anything that could be causing or making this worse. One thing I was wondering (this is the embarrassing part) is could a mediation that is listed as ototoxic (Lipitor) that my boyfriend consumes have ototoxic qualities to me? As a breastfeeding mother I know that many medications pass through breastmilk so wouldn't the same be said for medication to pass to other bodily fluids like semen?


Obviously the dosage passed to breastmilk in medication is extremely low as your body has already metabolized a good portion of the drug so I would assume medication passed in other fluids would also be low. I also couldn't find anything about tinnitus on the list of Lipitor's side effects on drugs.com but it is listed as an ototoxic medication on other websites..

Like I said, I've gone over every possible cause for myself and one thing that I always slightly questioned (before telling myself I was crazy and brushing it off) was the possibility that my boyfriend's medication could have caused an adverse affect in myself after exposure. The T did start after he started the medication. We don't have sex a lot anyway since I'm very pregnant and uncomfortable but its just a weird idea my OCD brain cannot shake.

You all can start laughing now as this is probably the most ridiculous post you've ever read..

I'm overanalyzing and being crazy right? Okay. Just wanted another opinion

 

No. You're more likely to be exposed to ototoxic drugs through the water you drink if you get your water from a municipal system. They're never able to remove 100% of drugs that people either excrete through bodily fluids or flush down their toilets.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=87742

 

Thanks for your response! Seems like others agree with you as well! Just something I've been wondering for awhile.

 

Natalie,
Love your profile picture with your two daughters....lots of love glynis

 

You are quite right Cheza. This is now being acknowledged as a major issue. The problem extends to all kinds of drugs, notably psycho-active drugs like anti-depressants.

 

The amount of pharmaceuticals in most water supplies is trace, tiny paets-per-billion quantities. I worry more about heavy metals and petrochem.

That said, I don't drink tapwater in the US, essentially ever.

 

Thank you

 

I believe, in theory, a minimal amount of substance may come to your system if you swallow your partner's semen.

But via other delivery routes I don't think it can happen.

I would not worry.

 

I would think if it were even possible the amounts would be so minute they wouldn't even approach the levels already in your system via other means.

 

I doubt pregnancy causes otoxicity, it probably causes muscular tinnitus through afferent nerves, like the pregnant women complaining of reflux.

 

I know pregnancy doesn't cause ototoxicity but I was wondering if medication transfer through semen during sex could cause ototoxicity in the female.


And yes, they believe my tinnitus may be due to my pregnancy. I've never heard of a connection between that and reflux though. I do have severe reflux but I'm too afraid to take any medications to treat it..

 

And TMI but I did do this during oral sex on one occasion prior to the T starting which is what got me thinking. My rational brain tells me the amount if any of medication that remained would be so minute it wouldn't cause a lasting (8 weeks plus) of tinnitus..

 

would you please explain to me what do you mean by that?

 

did the reflux come up with the pregnancy? I've read that pregnant women get it and it goes when le little mozart pops out

 

Middle ear myoclonus can cause tinnitus sounds, both continuous and discontinous. Peripheral nerves from, say, the neck can cause the nerve to make the muscles spasm just like problems in the brain can.

 

I didn't have issues with reflux prior to becoming pregnant and it started a few weeks before my tinnitus I suppose. I'm very pregnant, 9 months and have severe reflux especially at night regardless of what I eat. Dr prescribed Zantac but I'm afraid to take anything, even tums so I just deal with it. My tinnitus and reflux remain.

 

@japongus You mean that afferent nerves from, say, neck, can cause muscles spasms in (one of) the two tiny muscles within the middle ear, which can cause continuous/discontinous T? I just want to check if I understood correctly.

 

Yes why are you repeating what I said? Do you disagree with it?

As far as I understand, ototoxicity happens when you affect the inner ear. Things like salt or things that screw potassium supplies, like taking omeprazol and so not absorbing enough minerals.

 

Dont worry, it most probably goes away when the belly goes back to normal.

 

And yeah it probably is a bad idea to take things when pregnant, but I don't know.

 

I doubt Zantac would be too bad, but I have seen an association identified between PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole etc) and magnesium malabsorption.

 

I have 4 weeks to go to deliver this baby and am hoping I can do it without any medications. I really am afraid of anything I do or take making my tinnitus worse. I have that I hate to live my life like this. I even worry about foods and I know I'm just setting myself up to be miserable.

 

I'm afraid to take tums or Zantac for heartburn for fear of worsening my tinnitus. I'm afraid everything I eat will worsen my tinnitus. Im just afraid in general of my tinnitus..

 

You really are aren't you. You won't have time for that soon fortunately.

 

I have never heard of this before. My first thought is that your T might have been caused by something related to pregnancy. Did you ever ask the doctor about this? I don't take Lipitor but do take some other medications at this time. I might be able to reduce it down to 1 main one with 1 every now and then.. I might get married one day though. Did you ever ask the doctor about this?

 

I didn't ever ask the doctor. My partner isn't taking the medication anymore and I still have the T, so doubtful that was the cause. I was just so desperate looking for any possible cause of my t I was grasping at straws. My audiologist thinks it was brought on during pregnancy because of extra stress and hormonal changes and also mild hearing loss.