Management of pituitary tumors during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract Hypogonadism and infertility are frequent in women harboring pituitary tumors, due to the impairment of gonadal axis by prolactin, GH or cortisol, to pituitary stalk disconnection and/or to normal pituitary damage in macroadenomas. Additionally, hormonal direct effects on the gonads may contribute to hypogonadism. Nevertheless, with the improvement in surgical and medical treatment of pituitary adenomas, pregnancy now occurs more frequently in patients harboring such tumors. As maternal and fetal complications may occur, the management of pituitary adenomas in women planning pregnancy, as well as throughout gestation and lactation should be carefully performed.