cf and infertility in men

[ILoveMyCFHubby]

hi, i am 23 and my husband is 27 and has cf. we understand that most men w/ cf are sterile and therefore can not have children but we are hearing a lot of stuff about some type of invitro procedure that gives a chance of being able to conceive. just wondering if anyone has any info on that. also if anyone has any info and having cf and trying to adopt, i saw on one website where it said some agencies try to give cf patients a hard time when attempting the adoption process. I don't have cf but my husband does. I am not sure yet if i am a carrier of the gene but am going to be tested in a couple months to find out. thanks for your info. i greatly appreciate it. ILoveMyCFHubbyMelissa N Michael <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

I don't actually know anything yet, as I am only 20. My boyfriend is most likely not sterile, he's healthy. But I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, and myself cannot have children. I actually have a question for you. Where did you learn some agencies like to give CFers trouble when trying to adopt? And do you know anything about CFers trying to adopt in general? I'm curious, because if I ever want children, adoption will most likely have to be the route I go. Thanks.

 

[anonymous]

Hello, My father was told he was sterile and could not have kids... but thats why they call me a miracle baby.. if you belive anything can happen... Shena

 

[anonymous]

My husband is 28 years old and has cf. We just became pregnant through invitro-fertilization (IVF). He had to have an operation to extract his sperm (procedure is called Micro epididymal sperm aspiration - MESA) which were injected into my extracted eggs (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection - ICSI). The procedure is expensive, but we were lucky to have it financed. We plan to have more children through adoption.As for adoption barriers, our good friends (also a CF couple) is almost through completing their international adoption. They are in Russia as I write this. CF was an issue at the beginning that required a lot of explanation, but in the end it did not hinder the process that much (it all took less than a year). Good luck with your family plans.

 

[anonymous]

hi allison, my name is nicole. iam 31 and my husband is 33. we just found out that my husband has the gene for cf which is why we are unable to conceive without an icsi and invitro. we are going to cornell medical center in manhattan. they are the best for treating males with infertility and invitro and cf. any other questions just email me at BST4THTCHR @aol .com

 

[anonymous]

where did u go to have your procedure done may i ask? thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> i am fixing to start fertility drugs next month.

 

[anonymous]

Melissa,Males with are not necessarily sterile they could just have a low sperm count. I have not had my sperm checked yet but my doctor pretty much gauranteed me that I will be low and that invitro would be my option too. As far as adoption goes it is probablay not impossible for someone with CF to adopt, but it would definitely be very hard to do. Put yourself in the agencies shoes, would you give someone a child who has a terminal ilness?. I have had the adoption talk with my doctor and he told that the adoption agencies would definitely discriminate against me.Good luckDave 29 w/cf

 

[Dea]

Just a positive note here....I know several people with CF who have adopted! It is not impossible...and legally they cannot discriminate. Most men with CF actually do not develop a vas deferens....not sure if that is spelled correctly. You can do some research on the internet....for the facts. They produce sperm....just no way of getting it to where it needs to go....in an easy way of saying it. I also know of a few who have had invitro done.....so there are possibilities! Good Luck!Dea30 w/CF

 

[anonymous]

Although my son is still very young, I have worried about how to help him deal with his probable infertility. I want my son to know that if he wants to be a father someday, he DOES have options. No, he will likely not be able to have children the "old-fashioned way", but that's nothing new! At least half of my friends have had to do something "extra" to have children... in vitro, drugs, adoption... and not one of them is a cf couple. Many couples have to try for a long time before doctors will even look into why they aren't getting pregnant. At least my son will know the potential problems, and he can be tested whenever he is ready to have kids. He can father a child using that surgical procedure and invitro. He can adopt (and yes, there may be less discrimination using an international adoption). Maybe his wife could go to a sperm bank. Or maybe he can be a foster parent (and/or adopt) an older child in need of a home.Keep an open mind - if you want to be a parent, there are ways to make it happen! I know my son will make an excellent role-model for his future children.