Rheumatic diseases affect all aspects of life, including sexuality and reproduction. The reasons for disturbing sexual functioning and reproduction are multifactorial. Manifestations and symptoms of disease can reduce libido and interfere with successful reproduction, for example, in rheumatoid arthritis (AR), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Active disease disturbs the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis, giving rise to periods of gonadal dysfunction. Autoantibodies, which are present in most of the rheumatic diseases, and disturbances of sex hormone status can negatively influence the fertilization. Furthermore, some antirheumatic drugs carry a risk for male reproduction, because can present adverse effects, which includes chromosomal defects and gonadotoxicity, damaging the spermatogenesis and sperm motility. It results in transient or permanent gonadal failure. We are presenting a review of this aspect.
rheumatic diseases; anti-rheumatic drugs; man fertility
