IBD commonly affects men and women during their reproductive ages. Because of this, researchers are interested in knowing how the disease affects fertility and pregnancy. Much research on the impact of IBD on fertility and pregnancy has focused on women, but for this study, researchers focused on men. They wanted to know how men's IBD and their use of IBD medication affect reproductive outcomes. The study results showed that men who received a diagnosis of IBD before trying to conceive were more likely to have difficulty conceiving than men who developed IBD after conceiving. However, these fi ndings were noted only in those with recently active disease within the past 6 months. Men with IBD who were in long-term remission were similar to the rates prior to development of IBD. Exposure to any of the medications for treating IBD was not associated with congenital anomalies, low birth weight or preterm births.

We studied how often women and men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seek care for infertility (problems getting pregnant). We also looked at reasons why individuals had trouble getting pregnant. A total of 12.5% of women in CCFA Partners went to see a doctor for problems getting pregnant. This was a little higher in women with Crohn's disease (14.1%) than in women with ulcerative colitis (9.5%). Risk factors for needing help getting pregnant were: prior GI surgery and older age. The most common cause of fertility problems in women was blocked fallopian tubes. For men, 8.7% needed help with fertility. Age was a risk factor. The most common cause of fertility problems was a problem with their female partner. Nearly 80% of women and men who went to the doctor for fertility problems were able to get pregnant. These rates of pregnancy with fertility treatment are similar to those of people without IBD.