Pregnancy in hyperprolactinemic infertile women treated with vaginal bromocriptine: report of two cases and review of the literature.
Vaginal bromocriptine has proven safe and effective in treating hyperprolactinemic women. However, there has been no long-term clinical assessment regarding the influence of daily vaginal bromocriptine administration on the ability to conceive. This article presents two cases of successful pregnancy resulting from this alternative treatment. An infertile woman with an empty sella and hyperprolactinemia was treated with vaginal bromocriptine because of intolerance to oral administration. Prolactin levels were quickly normalized and no side effects occurred. Repeated postcoital tests during treatment proved normal. Twelve months later, the patient conceived. The therapy was discontinued during pregnancy, without complications. Although bromocriptine treatment was not resumed after delivery, postpartum prolactin levels were lower than before treatment and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an unchanged empty sella. Another patient with infertility and pituitary microadenoma with intolerance to oral dopaminergic agonists received the same treatment. Prolactin quickly fell to within the normal range. Vaginal bromocriptine was well tolerated and postcoital test results were not impaired. Tumor regression occurred and 10 months later the patient conceived. Despite bromocriptine withdrawal, no significant complications occurred during pregnancy. It can therefore be concluded that a couple's fertility does not appear to be significantly affected by the persistent local presence of bromocriptine.
Ricci
G
G
Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Istituto per l'Infanzia Burlo Garofolo, IRCCS, Trieste, Italy. ricci@burlo.trieste.it
Giolo
E
E
Nucera
G
G
Pozzobon
C
C
De Seta
F
F
Guaschino
S
S
D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D001971:Bromocriptine