A new case of NSAID-induced infertility.

A 38-year-old woman on piroxicam for hip osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia developed secondary sterility. Ova collected for in vitro fertilization were immature and failed to fertilize. A further attempt done after piroxicam discontinuation produced seven mature ova that fertilized, allowing embryo implantation. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may induce infertility by reducing the production of prostaglandins, most notably via inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2. The impact of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy on reproductive function needs to be evaluated.