Does Enclomiphene Increase Testosterone? What The Studies Say – Introduction
Enclomiphene (or enclomiphene citrate) is a SERM typically prescribed to treat female infertility. More recently, there has been growing concern that it can be used in men to boost testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is crucial for sexual development and reproduction, overall health, and wellbeing. Given this, the question remains whether enclomiphene actually boosts testosterone in men? In this article, we will examine the available research and evidence in order to understand whether or not enclomiphene can increase men’s testosterone levels.
Does Enclomiphene Increase Testosterone? What The Studies Say
How Enclomiphene works:
The only way to see whether or not enclomiphene will affect testosterone is to know how it works. Enclomiphene attaches to oestrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, and stimulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). It is these hormones that cause the testes to produce testosterone. This action is analogous to that of clomiphene, another SERM widely used in female infertility.
Studies:
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology measured the impact of enclomiphene on testosterone in men with secondary hypogonadism, a disorder where the testicles fail to secrete sufficient testosterone. They recruited 73 men who were randomly assigned to either enclomiphene or placebo over a 12-week period. This revealed that testosterone in men treated with enclomiphene remained much higher than in men treated with placebo. The scientists determined that enclomiphene was effective in enhancing testosterone in men with secondary hypogonadism.
A 2014 paper in Fertility and Sterility also tested the impact of enclomiphene on testosterone levels in men. In this study, 11 secondary hypogonadist men received enclomiphene for 3 months. This yielded a significant increase in testosterone for all subjects, with no negative side effects observed. The scientists found that enclomiphene was a safe and effective medication for men with secondary hypogonadism.
But not all trials have been good. In 2016, a paper in the Journal of Andrology examined how enclomiphene changed testosterone in low-testosterone men. They recruited 30 men and gave them 6 months of enclomiphene. There was no significant testosterone gain compared to placebo. This inability to react, the team explained, reflects individual differences in how sensitive the pituitary gland’s oestrogen receptors are.
Another study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2019, compared the effects of enclomiphene with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on testosterone in secondary hypogonadism in men. Researchers recruited 126 men and randomly assigned them to take either enclomiphene or TRT for 12 months. The data indicated that both therapies increased testosterone levels dramatically, but TRT worked better than enclomiphene. These researchers guessed that enclomiphene could be a potential TRT substitute for men with secondary hypogonadism.
All told, the current evidence regarding the effects of enclomiphene on testosterone in men is mixed. Although some studies have revealed increased testosterone, others have not. However, in many of these studies, the numbers of participants and treatment timeframes were relatively small, which might have influenced outcomes. We need to see more studies, with larger sample sizes and treatment stretches, to see what impact enclomiphene has on men’s testosterone.
Does Enclomiphene Increase Testosterone? What The Studies Say
Potential Side Effects:
Adverse Reactions Commonly Encountered
General side effects that most commonly accompany enclomiphene are those caused by its activity on oestrogen receptors in the pituitary and ovaries. These are summarized below:
Vasomotor Symptoms: Hot flashes, or a general feeling of sudden and rapid body heat, particularly sensations of the face, neck, and trunk, are generally caused by fluctuating endogenous hormones. They refer to it as mild to substantial, which interferes with everyday functioning and wellbeing.
Feelings: Hormonal fluctuations lead to mood swings, too. Intense irritability, anxiety or depression symptoms may develop in some patients, and must be carefully monitored during treatment.
Eye Disturbances: Usually unsaid but frequently observed, the eyes of some of the patients who take the drug experience vision changes. These can be anything from vision loss to vision changes that require medical attention immediately.
Gastric Issues: Other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and headaches. Patients have discomfort that may be disruptive to their daily lives.
Breast-related side effects: Enclomiphene can induce breast tenderness or enlargement via its estrogenic activity. This is a psychological risk for some users, particularly men, as these effects are potentially distressing to them.
Serious Side Effects
The general composition of most side effects is that they are relatively mild and often reversible, but enclomiphene can also trigger other, more serious symptoms, though they are very rare. Among the most salient potential side-effects are the following:
Injury to the Liver: Very rarely has liver damage been seen with this drug. One should look out for signs of liver damage, such as jaundice, skin or eye discolouration, black urine, and abdominal cramps.
Thromboembolic Events: There is a very serious danger associated with thromboembolic events. Patients should also be aware of the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, which typically includes an acute chest pain, dyspnea, or a swollen lower extremity.
Stroke: Some patients experience stroke while receiving enclomiphene. All stroke patients must be taken to the hospital immediately when a weakness or numbness occurs, particularly in one side of the body.
Hormonal Changes
Enclomiphene’s hormone levels-altering effects have both therapeutic advantages and disadvantages:
Menstrual Cycle Disorders: Hormonal abnormalities interrupt the menstrual cycle, most often among women because drugs disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause abnormalities that can be a cause for concern in fertility-laying individuals.
Effects on Male Hormones: Enclomiphene lowers male testosterone levels. The lower testosterone levels, in turn, could lead to reduced sexual desire, impotence, and other weakness of the body. This therefore warrants supervision by the medical professional who might handle pitfalls effectively.
Boosted Estrogen: The medication may increase oestrogen production, resulting in more tenderness or growth of male breasts which is undesirable and degrades self-image and body image.
Conclusion: Does Enclomiphene Increase Testosterone? What The Studies Say
In sum, there is evidence to suggest that enclomiphene can effectively replace testosterone in hypogonadic men. Its lack of complete understanding of its booster power and the agents’ impact over time remains elusive. Any new therapy for low testosterone should always be discussed with a doctor. Also, lifestyle alterations like diet and exercise can naturally increase the testosterone level.
