Enclomiphene is one half of clomiphene: an estrogen-receptor modulator that raises testosterone by blocking the signal that tells the pituitary to hold back. It is studied for men with secondary hypogonadism who want to keep fertility. The human evidence is a small phase II trial and pooled data from clomiphene and enclomiphene studies.
How it works
Estrogen normally tells the pituitary to slow down LH and FSH. Blocking that feedback lets the pituitary send more signal to the testes, which make more testosterone and keep sperm production going.
The 2014 phase II trial
Wiehle and colleagues randomized men with secondary hypogonadism to oral enclomiphene citrate or a 1% topical testosterone gel. Enclomiphene raised morning serum testosterone, estradiol and LH to levels similar to the gel. FSH and LH rose, and sperm counts were kept (Fertil Steril 2014). The trial is phase II, not phase 3.
The pooled data
A 2025 meta-analysis of randomized trials of clomiphene or enclomiphene citrate found that these SERMs raised total testosterone against placebo by 273.76 ng/dL (95% CI 191.87 to 355.66), with LH and FSH also rising. Heterogeneity between studies was high (I² 89%). There was no significant difference in total testosterone between SERMs and testosterone gel (Hohl et al., 2025).
Regulatory status
Enclomiphene is not approved by the FDA as a standalone product. In the United States it is sold through compounding pharmacies, and the FDA compounding guidance explains what that means for quality and safety.
What this does not say
- The 2014 trial is small and short. Its sperm results are laboratory counts, not proven pregnancy rates.
- The pooled result mixes clomiphene and enclomiphene and mixes studies with very different designs, so it is an average across varied evidence.
- We found no trial following enclomiphene users for years, or comparing it head-to-head with clomiphene or testosterone on symptoms and outcomes.
How we use this
Enclomiphene is one option for men who want to keep fertility and need their testosterone raised. We discuss it alongside clomiphene, hCG and testosterone, and we check the compounded product's source before we prescribe.
We do not present it as a proven fertility treatment. The evidence is early, and we say so.
Explore weight loss treatmentsSources
- 1.Wiehle RD et al. Enclomiphene citrate stimulates testosterone production while preventing oligospermia: a randomized phase II clinical trial comparing topical testosterone. Fertil Steril 2014. Fertility and Sterility
- 2.Hohl A et al. Clomiphene or enclomiphene citrate for the treatment of male hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Endocrinol Metab 2025. Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism
- 3.Willets AE et al. Clomiphene for the treatment of male infertility. Reprod Sci 2013. Reproductive Sciences
- 4.FDA, human drug compounding. U.S. Food and Drug Administration