Medication & Making Babies

[(M)CdnCrohnie]

Hi everyone

Just wandering if anyone knows about any effects of these drugs we are on especially Pred. My wife and I are thinking about having a 4th child, but I don't know about any effects these drugs have on a man's sperm. If anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated.

Cdn

[IBD*4*LIFE]

I haven't heard of any but I thought you would have got more of a response on this one.  Anybody who has any info on this I would be interested in hearing what you know!

[kc6313]

Hey There:

I thought I'd comment (although I'm a girl) on this.  Before my recent CD Dx, I was in the midst of an infertility battle and know more than I sometimes care about male and female fertility.  As soon as my flare goes into remission, my husband and I will begin fertility treatments including injectables and an IUI (intrauterine insemination - his count is good, but with my illness, we can't take any chances anymore..we're trying to boost our odds) 

I did a few google searches and it shows Prednisone can impact sperm count.  I would talk to your GI more specifically about this and you may also consider talking with a Reproductive Endocrinologist.  They can order sperm analysis (your GI may be able to too), and see if your current meds are affecting fertility.  Don't loose hope though, because with low count..you could still do an IUI and get pregnant..not as many sperm are needed for that instance.

Let me know if you have any further questions on this.. I've mastered that subject! 

[(M)CdnCrohnie]

Thanks kc6313 I will let you know how it goes.

And also welcome to PITG

Cdn

[rebelsgirl]

I would defenitely talk to your doc about the meds and sperm. They used to say it didn't have any effect unless the women took the meds but thankfully they found out that is just not true.

I know myself when I was taking crohns meds, pred in particular. They had me on birthcontrol  long enough for it to get out of my system. I got pregnant almost immediately. So good luck with the fourth child and just make sure you ask your doc about any medications you're on and it's effect it could have on sperm which could in turn effect the fetus.

[wileyhorvitz]

Just wondering what this group thinks about pregnancy and Imuran.  It's a really tough one for me.

[IBD*4*LIFE]

I just started immuran about 5 months ago and have heard arguments on both sides of this one.  Some people say that it only is bad for females to be taking while pregnant but others say that it can have an effect on males while others say there is not proof of either.

I haven't yet talked to my GI about the possible side effects but it is something that I am concerned about as well.  I haven't been able to find any concrete evidence either way.

Anybody else???

Sean

[pb]

Hi Sean

I googled "effects of imuran on male sperm" and this is one article that I came across...

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.01846.x/abs/

Most definitely you should google the same and see how many similar articles you come across with the same conclusion and definitely talk to your doc.