Cystic Fibrosis Fertility

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects many parts of the body, including reproductive organs.

The physical challenges of CF make it difficult to conceive a child naturally. With the right treatments at Henry Ford Men’s Health Center, men with cystic fibrosis can successfully father children.

Our highly experienced team understands your fertility issues and concerns. We have the expert skills and advanced treatments to help you become a father.

How cystic fibrosis causes male infertility

The genetic mutations that cause cystic fibrosis can also cause abnormalities in your reproductive system. Most men with cystic fibrosis have no sperm present in their semen, a condition called azoospermia.

Most men with cystic fibrosis produce sperm, but they are born without a vas deferens (the tube that moves sperm from the testicles into the semen). Because of this condition, known as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), sperm can’t leave the testicles. This makes it impossible to fertilize an egg during intercourse.

Fertility treatments for men with cystic fibrosis

Our experts at the Henry Ford Men’s Health Center use advanced skills and the latest techniques to support men who have cystic fibrosis. We use sperm extraction procedures to successfully collect sperm you can use for in vitro fertilization. They include:

• Epididymal sperm extraction: If there’s a blockage in the tube where sperm collect, they can’t get into the ejaculate. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision through the scrotum and into the tube. The surgeon uses a powerful microscope in some cases to help find and collect sperm.
• Testicular sperm extraction: This procedure is similar to epididymal sperm extraction, except that we extract sperm directly from the testicles. We sometimes use a high-powered microscope to identify any tissue in the testicles containing sperm that can be extracted.

Henry Ford Men’s Health Center can help. We take a compassionate, personalized approach to your needs and use advanced techniques to achieve your goals.