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Sexual and reproductive issues for men with inflammatory bowel disease.FYI, just put into Pubmed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19223893?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Relatively little attention has been focused on the reproductive and sexual function issues faced by men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Infertility in men with IBD can be caused by medications used to treat the disease (most notably sulfasalazine), by active inflammation, and by the poor nutritional status that can result from IBD. Sexual function can be adversely affected by some medications used to treat IBD, by the depression that can accompany active IBD, and by proctocolectomy. When men with IBD do father children, there appears to be no increased rate of adverse fetal outcomes. Screening for prostate cancer after proctocolectomy can be challenging, but current data support the use of prostate-specific antigen screening for these patients. This review serves as an outline to assist the clinician in discussing sexual and reproductive issues in male patients with IBD.

Reply posted for chadscott.

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 Reply posted for patman75.

I have 12 year old twins.  At the time, I was taking Flagyl, Prevacid, and Biaxin.  I had been weened off prednisone.  Unfortunately that combo, minus Biaxin which was D/C'd after 1.5 years, only lasted 10 years.  Now I take Humira.  If the anticholinergic meds cause some ED problems, Viagra works great.

Good luck.

 Reply posted for drspsych.

Humira is fantastic.  I started with Remicade in May, 2008, but the 2nd infusion was almost impossible.  I got stuck 7 times to get an IV going and even the anesthesiologist couldn't get one going.  I had to go to Interventional Radiology so the ultrasound could show a deep vein.  My doctor switched me to Humira since it's a subcutaneous injection once every other week.

Ask your doctor about it.  I've had to get the injection a little more frequently, now at 10 days, and I have to take fluconizole 100 mg. tabs once each night beginning 2 days before and 5 more days after Humira since it was causing thrush (yeast infection) after the first 2 injections.  I also get some keratoses that are easily treated every couple of months with liquid nitrogen.  Those side effects are a small negative compared to positive results from Humira.

Good luck.

 Reply posted for patman75.

The only thing I've heard about reproductive issues is if you are on prednizone (sp?), aka steroids. That definitely effects your sperm count and potency. My UC doctor asks me every time I go see him about family planning, so he will know to not put me on 'roids if my wife and I are trying to get pregnant. I can proudly say that we are expecting in just under 2 months, so asacol, cort enemas, and balsalazide disodium are ok!

 Reply posted for stefaniga.

Hello

A question concerning medications, as I am facing surgery and medicationregime for crohn's: Has anyone ever been on Reicade or Humira?  Does anyone have any information regarding data for men and reproduction?  There is plenty out there regarding women, but not men.

Thanks

Keith

 Reply posted for NuAnoos.

I totally understand your concerns about the surgery. I battled UC and the symptoms for almost 14 years until I had the JPouch done in 2006. BEST decision i could have made; great strides have been made in the procedure. Sexual function & desire unchanged, to my wifes chagrin :) I will Strongly emphasize though , research your sugeon just like you would a contractor, ask for references. Good luck and remember YOU'RE NOT ALONE!     

 Reply posted for NuAnoos.

Sounds like you are up against some touch decisions and I wish you the best in doing so.  I've never gone through surgery but have seen my wife go through 2 for "female" stuff and it can be tough on the body but the right thing to do sometimes.  I hope you can find some way to avoid surgery but your health is most important and if surgery is what gets you there, that's what you need to do.

The sperm bank option sounds like a good thought, also, as a volunter board member of an adoption/ foster care agency I can tell you that there are plenty of kids out there that need you and that you would be a hero to if you took them in.  There are lots of ways to do good things but you need your health to do them.

Best of luck with your health and future.

Sexual and reproductive issues for men with inflammatory bowel disease.I was just like you about a year ago.  Before you decide to do surgery have you tried changing your diet at all?  I had to change my diet dramatically to help with my UC.  I basically only ate all natural meats (except red meat) and vegetables that I could handle.  Also please look into a prescription called Low Dose Naltrexone.  This is the other thing that helped me.   This prescription was a lifesaver for me.  Also Lialda has helped me too.  I still am restrictive with my diet but I have been able to add a lot back to my diet.  Now I only eliminate yeast, dairy and sugar (a little sugar is ok and some fruit is ok but no pineapple)

-Jeff

 Reply posted for patman75.

Thanks for the post!  As someone strongly considering a colectomy and jpouch, my biggest concern is to be able to have more children.  I love nothing more than being a father and find it so rewarding while suffering through my colitis issues.  I fear being rendered impotent by my surgery and the impact that would have on my relationship with my wife and ability to father more children.  I am currently researching some sperm banks to perhaps put some of 'my boys' in the bank just in case.  Thanks again for shedding some light on this much avoided topic!