Letter to Editor

Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Volume: 51 Number: 1 February 27, 2026
EN TR

Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Methotrexate(MTX) is widely used in rheumatology practice for rheumatoid arthritis and many other conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, sarcoidosis, and vasculitis. The most common adverse effects of MTX include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headache, stomatitis and abdominal pain. Serious adverse effects include hepatotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression and increased risk of lymphoproliferative disorders. In our review of the literature, case reports of sexual dysfunction have beeen reported during MTX therapy. We report here one case of sexual dysfunction during MTX therapy.

Keywords

Methotrexate, rheumatoid arthritis, sexual dysfunction

References

  1. Santos-Moreno P, Castro CA, Villarreal L, Buitrago D. Prevalence of sexual disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and associated factors. Sex Med. 2020;8:510–6.
  2. El Miedany Y, El Gaafary M, El Aroussy N, Youssef S, Ahmed I. Sexual dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis patients: arthritis and beyond. Clin Rheumatol. 2012;31:601–6.
  3. Santos-Moreno P, Villarreal L, Ballesteros G, Bello J, Castillo E, Giraldo R et al. Presence of psychological, sexual and sleep disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75:712.
  4. Tristano AG. Impact of rheumatoid arthritis on sexual function. World J Orthop. 2014;5:107–11.
  5. Goldstein I, Clayton AH, Goldstein AT, Kim NN, Kingsberg SA. Textbook of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment. Chichester, Wiley, 2018.
  6. Zhao S, Li E, Wang J, Luo L, Luo J, Zhao Z. Rheumatoid arthritis and risk of sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Rheumatol. 2018;45:1375–82.
  7. Wylie G, Evans D, Gupta G. Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction: rarely reported side-effects of methotrexate. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34:234.
  8. Blackburn WD Jr, Alarcón GS. Impotence in three rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate. Arthritis Rheum. 1989;32:1341–2.
  9. Penninga EI, Larsen HK, Andersen SE. Impotence caused by methotrexate treatment. Ugeskr Laeger. 2008;170:354.
  10. Theodosiou G, Svensson Å. Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction: two case reports. Acta Derm Venereol. 2017;97:1132–33.
APA
Limon, M. (2026). Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Cukurova Medical Journal, 51(1), 386-387. https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1807263
AMA
1.Limon M. Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Cukurova Med J. 2026;51(1):386-387. doi:10.17826/cumj.1807263
Chicago
Limon, Muhammet. 2026. “Methotrexate-Associated Sexual Dysfunction in a Female Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Cukurova Medical Journal 51 (1): 386-87. https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1807263.
EndNote
Limon M (March 1, 2026) Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Cukurova Medical Journal 51 1 386–387.
IEEE
[1]M. Limon, “Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis”, Cukurova Med J, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 386–387, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.17826/cumj.1807263.
ISNAD
Limon, Muhammet. “Methotrexate-Associated Sexual Dysfunction in a Female Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Cukurova Medical Journal 51/1 (March 1, 2026): 386-387. https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1807263.
JAMA
1.Limon M. Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Cukurova Med J. 2026;51:386–387.
MLA
Limon, Muhammet. “Methotrexate-Associated Sexual Dysfunction in a Female Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Cukurova Medical Journal, vol. 51, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 386-7, doi:10.17826/cumj.1807263.
Vancouver
1.Muhammet Limon. Methotrexate-associated sexual dysfunction in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Cukurova Med J. 2026 Mar. 1;51(1):386-7. doi:10.17826/cumj.1807263