Fertility & CF: 5 fast facts

1. Most males with CF are infertile, but it’s not always the case. A semen analysis test can determine this one way or another.
2. Women with CF can be less fertile than women who don’t have the disease, but they can conceive naturally. If not, there are several infertility tests and procedures available.
3. It can be difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg in the uterus because the woman’s vaginal and cervical mucus can be very thick.
4. Couples wanting children can receive in vitro treatment (sperm from the man fertilises an egg in a test tube, which is then placed in the uterus).
5. Women with CF often have irregular, infrequent periods.

Sex & CF

Although men with CF are infertile and some women with CF might find it difficult to get pregnant, cystic fibrosis is not a reliable contraceptive. For people with CF, it’s a good idea to discuss birth control with their GP or a gynaecologist who understands cystic fibrosis.
Safe sex practices to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are just as important for sexually active people with CF as it is for everyone else. Here’s a summary options for safe sex and contraception and how suitable they are in CF.

• The condom can provide both contraception and protection from STDs.
• Birth control pills, the once-a-week patch and an intrauterine device (IUD) placed in the uterus are often good contraception options for women with CF, but none of these protect the woman against STDs.
• The pill and the once-a-week patch can be less effective when taken with certain antibiotics.
• Contraception injections are NOT recommended for women with CF. These can further increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition people with CF are already susceptible to.
• A woman with liver disease or CFRD (cystic fibrosis-related diabetes) should discuss the impact of the pill with their GP or gynecologist.
• Read more about Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes in How CF affects the digestive system (Part 3 of this section, How CF affects the body).

Safe sex is just as important for sexually active men and women with CF as it is for everyone else.

Will my child be able to have children?

When the time comes, it’s a good idea for your child to discuss the issue with the CF team and an obstetrician with experience of CF. Because your child has CF, they should have genetic testing and their partner should be offered screening to determine if they are carriers.
Parents with CF will pass on one CF gene to all of their children. Because your child has two CF gene mutations, every sperm/egg will carry one CF gene mutation. So the genetic makeup of the partner will determine whether there’s a chance that any offspring will have CF.
Click on What caused this? to read more abut genetics and how CF is passed from parents to children.

Pregnancy & CF

A woman with CF should be as healthy as possible before becoming pregnant. Good lung health and lung function are vital for her health – and the baby’s. A healthy weight prior to pregnancy also helps ensure a healthy baby.
Taking folic acid daily – especially before conception and during early pregnancy – is vital to help prevent serious birth defects.
The mother-to-be will be monitored closely during pregnancy for lung health, weight gain and diabetes. Doctors will be alert for, and treat, any pulmonary exacerbations.
The mother-to-be needs to take in enough kilojoules for herself and the baby to grow.