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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a possible cause for reversible infertility

Catherine Nelson‐Piercy, B J Hunt, M A Khamashta, C Nelson-Piercy, L L Mendonça, G. R. V. Hughes

Author affiliations (2)
  • St Thomas' Hospital ROR
  • Lupus in Pregnancy Clinic, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 39(8), 880-882, 2000

DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/39.8.880 PMID 10952743

Abstract

Objective

To highlight the possible association between infertility and treatment with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). NSAIDs act mainly through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, the enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are essential mediators of ovulation, implantation and placentation of the conceptus.

Methods

Case reports of four women suffering from severe arthritis, on long-term NSAIDs and undergoing extensive investigation and treatment for infertility.

Results

During the last 2 yr, four out of five women with severe arthritis and difficulty conceiving were counselled to stop NSAIDs, and they successfully conceived shortly after the withdrawal of NSAIDs.

Conclusion

NSAIDs, used largely for the treatment of rheumatological conditions, may be responsible for some cases of infertility.

Topics

Infertility > Female Factors > Drug-Induced InfertilityInfertility > Treatment > Medication ModificationGeneral OB/GYN > Pharmacology > NSAIDs and Reproductive Outcomes
NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reversible infertility, prostaglandin inhibition ovulation implantation infertility, cyclooxygenase inhibition female fertility impairment, rheumatoid arthritis NSAID use difficulty conceiving, NSAID withdrawal conception case reports women, long-term anti-inflammatory medication reproductive effects, drug-induced infertility prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, Mendonça Khamashta NSAIDs infertility rheumatology, implantation failure NSAID prostaglandin pathway, arthritis treatment fertility counseling NSAID discontinuation
PMID 10952743 10952743 DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/39.8.880 10.1093/rheumatology/39.8.880

Cite this article

Mendonça, L. L., Khamashta, M. A., Nelson-Piercy, C., Hunt, B. J., & Hughes, G. R. (2000). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a possible cause for reversible infertility. *Rheumatology (Oxford, England)*, *39*(8), 880-882. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/39.8.880

Keywords

Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/adverse Effects, Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug Therapy, Diclofenac/adverse Effects, Female, Humans, Infertility, Female/chemically Induced, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Diclofenac