Sexuality, Fertility, and Pregnancy in Crohn's Disease

Many factors influence the sexual health of people with Crohn's disease, but active disease and depression play key roles. The fertility rate in nonoperated patients with inflammatory bowel disease with quiescent disease is similar to that in the general population. Crohn's disease can increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, but being in remission on a stable, steroid-free medication regimen for at least 3 months before conception and adhering to the treatment throughout pregnancy can improve outcomes. Infants with intrauterine exposure to anti-tumor necrosis factor medications should avoid live vaccines for the first 9 months or until drug concentrations are undetectable.