Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and reproduction

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 169; no. 5; pp. 1255 - 1265
• Main Author: Yusoff Dawood, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.11.1993
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacokinetics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; dysmenorrhea; Female; Genital Diseases, Female - drug therapy; Genital Diseases, Female - prevention & control; Humans; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs; Polyhydramnios - drug therapy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - drug therapy; prostaglandins; Reproduction - drug effects; dysmenorrhea; prostaglandins; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(93)90292-Q

The role of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in human reproduction and reproductive disorders is reviewed. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs inhibit the biosynthesis of prostanoids and can cross the placental barrier into the fetal circulation. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are the treatment of choice in primary dysmenorrhea and intrauterine contraceptive device-induced dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can be used for effective control of menorrhagia, preterm labor, and polyhydramnios and for prevention of preeclampsia, but larger definitive clinical trials are needed. Prostaglandin inhibition with some nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs appear promising in the relief of some premenstrual symptoms and in the prevention of postoperative pelvic adhesion formation, but more studies are needed in women. Whereas implantation and tubal mobility are mediated by local prostaglandins, the potential use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to suppress prostaglandin in these reproductive processes for enhancing or reducing fertility warrants further studies. In the last 2 decades nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have been used increasingly in the treatment of some reproductive disorders and are promising for many others.