Fertility in females with cystic fibrosis

A woman’s reproductive system with cystic fibrosis is mostly likely to be normal.

Potential fertility problems caused by cystic fibrosis

A problem that could happen is the cervical mucus (in and around the cervix) can become thicker and stickier than normal. This may reduce the ability of sperm to get past the cervix and into the uterus.

For most girls with cystic fibrosis, their hormones and periods are normal (although they may be delayed) and their ability to have sexual intercourse is normal.

Planning to get pregnant?

If you decide you want to become pregnant, it is important you consider getting your partner screened to see if they carry an abnormal cystic fibrosis gene. Any child you have will automatically inherit 1 of your abnormal cystic fibrosis genes. If your partner is also a carrier, then the chance of you having a baby with cystic fibrosis is 50 percent.

If you are planning on trying to get pregnant, you should speak to your cystic fibrosis team to make sure you are in the best health, as pregnancy is demanding on any woman’s body, especially if they have cystic fibrosis.

If you don’t want to become pregnant, then you need to use contraception. You can get advice about contraception from your (GP) or your local sexual health clinic. It is important that the doctor prescribing this medication knows about your cystic fibrosis (and any other family illnesses) and what medicines you take.

Condoms are an effective way of preventing pregnancy and can also prevent many sexually transmitted diseases.