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Future of Conceiving
My boyfriend of 7 months just told me that he has Hep C since he was 9yrs old. He started treatment this week after falling ill a couple weeks ago. I know this is very premature, but we live each other and i wanted to know the effect on trying to concieve in the future, if we end up down that path. I just want to be prepared for whats to come so i can be supportive and know what to expect as our relationship moves forward. Thank you!
He is taking Ribavirin. ..... my main concern is say he is considered cured after this treatment, and a few years down the road we decide to try to conceive and he is still neg. And has had no further treatment:
"1. Would he be sterile aftwr this type of treatment?"
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No, he would not be sterile due to taking Ribavirin. Ribavirin does not make a person sterile.
" 2. If not sterile, what are the chances of birth defects years after completing treatment? "
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As long as you wait until at least 6 months after completing Ribavirin treatment to conceive, there should be no increased risk of birth defects (from taking Ribavirin).
Wishing him SVR (cure) and wishing both of you the best for the future.
"1. Would he be sterile aftwr this type of treatment?"
--------------------------------------
No, he would not be sterile due to taking Ribavirin. Ribavirin does not make a person sterile.
" 2. If not sterile, what are the chances of birth defects years after completing treatment? "
---------------------------------------
As long as you wait until at least 6 months after completing Ribavirin treatment to conceive, there should be no increased risk of birth defects (from taking Ribavirin).
Wishing him SVR (cure) and wishing both of you the best for the future.
Thank you everyone. He is taking Ribavirin. He will have a test next week to see what his count is. Im not particularly worried about contracting it myself, my man concern is say he is conaidered cured after tgis treatment, and a feq years down the road we decide to try to concieve and he is still neg. And has had no further treatment: 1. Would he be sterile aftwr this type of treatment? 2. If not sterile, what are the chances of birth defecta years adter completing treatment?
You stated that your boyfriend started treatment this week. What type of treatment (which drugs) is he taking?
The reason I ask is that, if he is on Ribavirin, you both need to be using at least 2 forms of contraception while he is taking Ribavirin and also for 6 months following his last dose (if he is taking Ribavirin). This is because Ribavirin stays in the body for up to 6 months. Ribavirin can cause extremely serious birth defects in an unborn child so both partners need to be sure that there is absolutely no chance of pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment is finished.
If he is taking Ribavirin, then following treatment (including the 6 months post treatment time) then there should be no problem with conceiving a baby and having a healthy baby.
He cannot directly pass the virus to the baby. He would first have to pass the virus to you and you would pass the virus to the baby (risk about 5 % if you have Hepatitis C). If he attains Sustained Virologic Response (is cured of Hep C), then he cannot pass the virus to you. (Passing the virus via sexual contact is very rare anyway.) So, once he is cured, there is no chance he can pass the virus to you and thus no chance it could be passed to the baby (if you do not have Hep C.) You should have a healthy normal baby should you choose to conceive in the future.
Here is the information on Ribavirin and pregnancy (if he is taking Ribavirin):
Ribavirin Pregnancy Warnings
Ribavirin has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Nearly all animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. One published case reports the uneventful use of ribavirin at 33 weeks gestation. Ribavirin therapy is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant. Female patients receiving ribavirin and the partners of male patients receiving ribavirin must avoid pregnancy, using at least two reliable forms of contraception, during treatment and for 6 months after completion of treatment. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women or female partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin, a Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-593-2214 (USA).
The manufacturer recommends the use of at least two reliable forms of effective contraception during treatment with ribavirin and during the 6 months after completion of treatment. A negative pregnancy test should be obtained immediately before the planned start of therapy.
http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/ribavirin.html
Best of luck to both of you.
The reason I ask is that, if he is on Ribavirin, you both need to be using at least 2 forms of contraception while he is taking Ribavirin and also for 6 months following his last dose (if he is taking Ribavirin). This is because Ribavirin stays in the body for up to 6 months. Ribavirin can cause extremely serious birth defects in an unborn child so both partners need to be sure that there is absolutely no chance of pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment is finished.
If he is taking Ribavirin, then following treatment (including the 6 months post treatment time) then there should be no problem with conceiving a baby and having a healthy baby.
He cannot directly pass the virus to the baby. He would first have to pass the virus to you and you would pass the virus to the baby (risk about 5 % if you have Hepatitis C). If he attains Sustained Virologic Response (is cured of Hep C), then he cannot pass the virus to you. (Passing the virus via sexual contact is very rare anyway.) So, once he is cured, there is no chance he can pass the virus to you and thus no chance it could be passed to the baby (if you do not have Hep C.) You should have a healthy normal baby should you choose to conceive in the future.
Here is the information on Ribavirin and pregnancy (if he is taking Ribavirin):
Ribavirin Pregnancy Warnings
Ribavirin has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Nearly all animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. One published case reports the uneventful use of ribavirin at 33 weeks gestation. Ribavirin therapy is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant. Female patients receiving ribavirin and the partners of male patients receiving ribavirin must avoid pregnancy, using at least two reliable forms of contraception, during treatment and for 6 months after completion of treatment. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women or female partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin, a Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-593-2214 (USA).
The manufacturer recommends the use of at least two reliable forms of effective contraception during treatment with ribavirin and during the 6 months after completion of treatment. A negative pregnancy test should be obtained immediately before the planned start of therapy.
http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/ribavirin.html
Best of luck to both of you.
It is always good to plan ahead. Your bf cannot pass the virus to an unborn child. There should be absolutely no repercussions at all. Is your boyfriend planning on treating? We have cures now for the majority of patients with hepatitis C virus.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) does not recommend condoms for long term monogamous couples. The problem is defining long-term. Barrier protection is a good idea until you decide about marriage. Good luck with your relationship and I hope your bf will consider treating.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) does not recommend condoms for long term monogamous couples. The problem is defining long-term. Barrier protection is a good idea until you decide about marriage. Good luck with your relationship and I hope your bf will consider treating.
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