Reproductive and Mental Health of Patients With Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a hematological disease characterized by bone marrow failure, leading to varying degrees of anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. With the advancement of immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the survival of AA patients has significantly improved. However, these treatment approaches may result in reproductive system impairment. Reproductive health has been a major concern among reproductive-age AA patients. In female patients, it often manifests as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and infertility; while in male patients, it may present as reduced sperm count and low sperm motility. The reproductive impairment observed in AA patients may be attributed to various factors, including the disease's underlying pathophysiology, side effects of used medications such as androgens and the toxicity conditioning agents during transplantation. Notably, immunosuppressive agents (such as cyclosporine and antithymocyte globulin) and chemotherapeutic drugs (such as cyclophosphamide) can suppress hematopoiesis and directly damage the gonads, thereby impairing reproductive function. Furthermore, long-term use of these medications may disrupt the endocrine system, affecting the secretion of sex hormones and overall reproductive capacity. Additionally, chronic anemia in AA patients can lead to compensatory physiological changes in other body systems, which may also indirectly affect reproductive health.