A high percentage of involuntarily childless men is taking drugs that can potentially influence male reproductive function. As drug intake represents a modifiable risk factor, fertility evaluation requires a comprehensive medication review including prescription and non-prescription drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The erectile dysfunction (ED) with a prevalence of 19.2% and a steep age-related increase up to 53.4% in men over 70 years is a common sexual disorder. Especially after market launch of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors the possibility of an easy-to-use and well-tolerated therapy is available. In case of nonresponse, vasoactive substances can be applied in different forms. In case of an additional hypogonadism, testosterone substitution is indicated. Simultaneously the causes of ED should always be treated, including a change of lifestyle with elimination of exogenous noxa. The use of mechanic tools as single or combination therapy can lead to improved erection. This article provides a critical overview of the latest conservative therapy options, it explains previous unsuccessful therapeutic trials and gives an outlook into potential ED therapy concepts of the future.

There is still a gap between the information available on the desired and adverse effects of drugs, and the use of these drugs in clinical practice. We present an enquiry from a patient with a wish to father a child. He asked if carbamazepine and/or lercanidipine might be the cause of his raised prolactin level; his urologist had denied this. After searching the literature, we found that both drugs possibly raise prolactin levels and, in addition, may have negative effects on spermatogenesis, male fertility hormones and the fertilisation process. The patient was recommended to discuss the medication with his neurologist and cardiologist and, if possible, change or discontinue both drugs. An extensive search was necessary to gather the relevant information. In this case relevant data about the drugs’ effects on male fertility were available, but difficult to obtain