Treatment of infertility in women with pituitary tumors

Due to the pituitary's critical position, a pituitary tumor may disrupt gonadal function, either by its expanding size or the inappropriate secretion of hormones. Menstrual cycles may be disrupted even without frank hypogonadism, particularly in the case of hormone-secreting adenomas. Despite optimal medical and surgical management of pituitary tumors, ovulation-induction therapy with gonadotropins is often required to restore fertility in these women. This article will provide an overview of the therapeutic options available for women with infertility resulting from pituitary tumors. Treatment strategies including dopamine agonists, gonadotropins and the role of assisted reproductive technologies will be discussed. Unique pregnancy considerations in the female patient with hypopituitarism will also be addressed.