[Medical Q&A] What medications may affect pregnancy?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shang Xuejun, Chief Physician, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of PLA

There are many types of drugs that affect pregnancy, which can affect the sperm quality and sexual function of men, as well as the endocrine system and ovulation of women. When using the following drugs, men and women who want to conceive should read the instructions carefully and take the drugs according to the doctor's instructions.

(1) Anti-tumor drugs: For example, cyclophosphamide drugs can lead to a decrease in testicular spermatogenesis or even failure, resulting in a significant decrease in sperm count or azoospermia. This process is irreversible and may lead to lifelong infertility in men and disrupt the menstrual cycle in women.

(2) Sedatives and hypnotics: Long-term use or abuse of barbiturate and non-barbiturate sedatives and hypnotics can cause menstrual disorders and ovulation disorders in women, and decreased sexual desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

(3) Anesthetics and analgesics: Anesthetics and analgesics such as morphine and pethidine can lead to reduced spermatogenesis in men, and can also interfere with the regulatory process of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, causing semen discharge disorders and thus leading to infertility.

(4) Antihypertensive drugs: Some antihypertensive drugs can reduce the patient's sexual desire, and long-term use can inhibit sperm production, leading to a decrease in sperm count or azoospermia.

(5) Hormone drugs: Long-term use of excessive amounts of steroid hormones can cause testicular atrophy and reduced sperm production in men, leading to infertility. The use of estrogen can cause erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and inability to ejaculate in men. The use of adrenocortical hormones can cause menstrual disorders and amenorrhea in women, while the use of androgens can cause delayed menstruation and masculinization in women.

(6) Nitrofuran drugs: such as furazolidone and its derivatives, can cause a decrease in male sperm count and lead to infertility.

(7) Sulfonamides: such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, can inhibit testicular function, resulting in a decrease in sperm count and motility; sulfasalazine can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, motility and infertility.

(8) Anti-ulcer drugs: such as cimetidine, can suppress sexual desire, leading to sexual apathy and erectile dysfunction.

(9) Contraceptive pills: Especially emergency contraceptive pills taken multiple times in a short period of time. The large amount of progestin they contain can lead to an increase in prolactin, affecting ovulation and conception.

(10) Some Chinese medicines: For example, long-term use of Tripterygium wilfordii may cause infertility.