Chronic excessive alcohol consumption and male fertility: a case report on reversible azoospermia and a literature review.

AIMS

The aim of this work was to report on a heavy drinker whose azoospermia was reversed after alcohol withdrawal. We also review the literature on links between alcohol consumption and azoospermia.

METHOD

This study is a clinical case report and a literature review.

RESULTS

Two years after alcohol withdrawal, a child was born following assisted reproduction technique. Excessive alcohol consumption (i.e. more than 60 g a day) is strongly associated with azoospermia and this condition may be reversible after alcohol withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS

Testicular biopsies should be countra-indicated for heavy drinkers, and in order to increase the chances of obtaining a pregnancy, alcohol abstinence should be encouraged in male with low-to-moderate alcohol intakes.