Accutane and unexplained infertility?

[Anonymous]

I recently saw an acupuncturist because I have unexplained infertility, and will be starting my first cycle of Clomid/IUI soon. She said she has had several women come to her practice that had unexplained infertility that also used accutane. I am 31 years old, and used accutane twice, when I was 23 and 25. Anyone else hear of this or experienced unexplained fertility after accutane use?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I think about 1/3 of all infertility is "unexplained," so I would be very cautious about anecdotal associations such as this (I'm sure you could find multiple women who've used oral contraceptives who have unexplained infertility, but that doesn't mean you should assume one is a contributing factor to the other).

[Anonymous]

This is interesting, although my experience doesn't fit..... I've had 5 courses of accutane over the last 15 years or so (latest in 2007) and managed to get pregnant after 3 months TTC

[Anonymous]

I've never seen any studis on this, but it does make sense that it could be possible. Not sure that it helps you though. How it's treated is still the same. Maybe try to make extra healthy lifestyle choices from here on out to balance that? You're still young.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I agree, there are so many factors it could be. Her point was she has a very small practice, and easily has had 10+ women all w/prior accutane use that had trouble getting pregnant. She said that even though it leaves your body there can be residual that is stored in your fat cells for years. The good news was that all of the women she saw eventually did have babies, so that gives me some hope!