In the UK, the best-known treatment for low testosterone (or low T) is probably testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). It’s used to treat low T symptoms such as reduced sex drive or low energy.
Enclomiphene is another option. It’s an unlicensed medication, which means that it is still undergoing thorough testing for safety, quality, and effectiveness for specific conditions, doses, and patient groups.
Sometimes doctors prescribe medicines in ways that aren’t officially included in their licence–this is known as using a medicine “off-label” or “unlicensed.” It’s a common and accepted practice, especially in areas where treatments are still developing or where options are limited.
Your doctor would only suggest an unlicensed medicine if there’s good medical evidence and experience showing it can be used safely and effectively for your situation.
Enclomiphene key takeaways
- How it’s used: Daily tablet
- Who it’s for: Men with secondary hypogonadism
- Pros: Can bring T to normal levels with fewer side effects than clomiphene
- Cons: Can cause side effects
- Availability: Not yet licensed
What is enclomiphene?
Enclomiphene, aka enclomiphene citrate, is an experimental medicine for men with testosterone deficiency. It belongs to a family of medicines called SERMs: selective oestrogen receptor modulators. As the name suggests, these work by acting on oestrogen receptors.
Essentially, enclomiphene helps your body to produce more testosterone (more on this below). Whereas with TRT, you top up your levels by taking synthetic testosterone.
It also makes up part of clomiphene, a drug sold under the brand name Clomid that’s used to treat low T as well (it’s a medicine for female infertility but is prescribed off-label for men). Clomid and enclomiphene are similar but separate medicines.
How does enclomiphene work?
So, what does enclomiphene do? It prevents oestrogen receptors from being activated. This increases levels of the hormones that tell your testes to make T and stimulate production of sperm.
Yes, that’s right: unlike TRT, enclomiphene preserves your sperm count.
Enclomiphene is being looked at as a treatment for secondary hypogonadism. This is when there’s an issue in how the brain communicates with the testes, which leads to low T.
Benefits of enclomiphene for men’s health
From what we know so far, enclomiphene works well to increase testosterone production. In one phase 2 trial, most men taking enclomiphene for 6 weeks saw their T levels get back within the normal range.
Treating low T can bring on benefits like:
- Restoring fertility (if you’re on clomiphene or enclomiphene)
- Improved strength
- Increased libido
- Having more energy
Enclomiphene vs clomiphene
You can think of enclomiphene as the active part of clomiphene, a licensed medication that’s generally considered safe and well-tolerated. Clomiphene actually contains two components—enclomiphene and zuclomiphene. It’s the zuclomiphene part that’s thought to cause some of the side effects occasionally seen with clomiphene, such as headaches, hot flushes, or changes in vision.
Research shows that these two medicines are comparable in terms of increasing T, but that enclomiphene may come with fewer side effects. Per one study, 18.18% of men on clomiphene reported side effects versus 3.45% of those on enclomiphene.
Enclomiphene vs TRT
TRT gel and enclomiphene have been found to drive similar rises in T. Though TRT injections outperform clomiphene (which is chemically similar to enclomiphene), we need more research directly comparing injections to enclomiphene to say which is more effective.
Though enclomiphene can also increase your sperm count.
Head’s up: make sure you work with a qualified provider to find the right low T treatment for you.
Enclomiphene side effects
Some people taking enclomiphene might get side effects, including:
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Weakness
- Feeling agitated
There haven’t been many serious side effects reported in clinical research. But a possible risk of blood clots has been noted.
It’s important to check in regularly with your provider when treating low T. They’ll keep tabs on how you’re responding to the medicine.
Does enclomiphene give you gynaecomastia?
It’s not a common effect of the medicine. But it’s possible: as enclomiphene increases your T some of this is converted into oestrogen. And increases in oestrogen might bring on gynaecomastia (breast tissue growth).
Who is enclomiphene citrate for, and who should avoid it?
Enclomiphene is being investigated as a treatment for men with secondary hypogonadism.
It is particularly well-suited for men with a strong desire for future fertility and who would prefer to avoid the side effect profile of clomiphene, which is a licensed medicine that works in a similar way.
Enclomiphene dosage and how to take it
You take enclomiphene as a tablet. In clinical research, typical starting doses are 12.5mg and 25mg per day.
How long does enclomiphene take to work?
Studies show that testosterone can rise significantly after two weeks on enclomiphene. Levels then plateau within the normal range at around the 4-6 week mark.
Enclomiphene UK availability and where to buy
As a refresher: enclomiphene isn’t approved in the UK. That means you can’t get a prescription for it.
So, if you see enclomiphene for sale online, know this: because the medicine isn’t licensed, we don’t know how these products are being produced. So there’s no way to guarantee they’re genuine or safe to take.
But there are other options for treating low T. Our clinicians here at MANUAL can work with you to find your best option—and get you started on it asap.
You can take the first step right now: check your T levels with our quick, at-home testosterone blood test.
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