The Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) Fertility Grant provides financial support to people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF) and their respective partners who wish to undergo fertility assessment/treatment in the hope of becoming pregnant.
Since this scheme was first rolled out in 2010, a total of 157 fertility grants have been awarded to members.
Fertility in males with CF
The majority of men with CF have congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), a medical condition whereby sperm cannot get from the testes to the ejaculatory duct.
This in turn causes a medical condition known as obstructive azoospermia where sperm are absent from the semen. It is important to note, however, that infertility cannot be assumer and a confirmatory analysis of sperm count will be required before a man with CF will be able to access fertility supports.
Where a sperm count has confirmed azoospermia you will be referred to a specialist for surgical sperm retrieval, whereby sperm will be retrieved from the testes by means of either epididymal sperm aspiration, testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE).
Following sperm extraction, semen analysis will be done to determine the health of your sperm. If at this stage your sperm is deemed not to be sufficiently healthy, the fertility specialist may recommend lifestyle changes to try to improve sperm health or may suggest you consider a sperm donor or alternative fertility options.
If, however, your extracted sperm is deemed to be sufficiently healthy, you can then proceed with IVF-ICSI treatment.
Fertility in females with CF
Women with CF generally have a healthy reproductive cycle and are able to become pregnant spontaneously. As such it is important for women with CF to practise safe sex to avoid unplanned pregnancy. For other women with CF, they may experience fertility problems owing to thickened cervical mucus, disruption of the uterine environment, delayed puberty and ovulatory dysfunction (Vanwort, Teresa A., et al, 2014).
If you have been trying for a baby for a significant period of time without success you may want to have your fertility assessed by a specialist. The specialist will first establish whether your ovulation is healthy and whether your uterus and fallopian tubes are functioning normally.
Fertility Treatment for Women with CF
Two common fertility issues which may be identified include ovulatory irregularities, such as those caused by inadequate secretion of sex hormones, or irregularity in the length of the menstrual cycle or bleeding. In the case of the ovulatory irregularities, you may be given clomid to stimulate follicle/egg growth and b-human chorionic gonadotrophin to induce ovulation.
Where there is irregularity in the length of the cycle, you may be given oral contraceptive pills to regularise your cycle (Ahmad Asima, et al, 2013). If you do not have any other fertility issues you can schedule intercourse in the ‘fertile window’, the period of about six days starting five days prior to ovulation, and with the help of mild hormonal/ chemical stimulation you should conceive normally.
How much funding is available?
The value of the grant for first-time applicants is €3,000.
The value of the grant for second-time applicants is €2,000 and value of the grant for third-time applicants is €1,000.
Where a PWCF and their CF carrier partner wish to avail of PGD, an additional grant may be available. Please contact the office for more details.
How do I apply?
A Fertility Grant Application form and supporting documentation from your CF Consultant and the fertility clinic you plan on attending must be sent to the CFI National Office by a particular deadline.
Members are advised to read the fertility grant guidelines in advance of applying for this grant.
Where can I get more information?
Contact CFI office info@cfireland.ie / tel 014962433 to request Fertility Grant application form.
Additional Supports
CFI strongly encourages members to seek Genetic Counselling advice and support prior to pursuing assisted fertility treatment. Please talk to a representative in the Fertility Clinic you are interested in or contact the National Centre for Medical Genetics for more information Tel: 01 4096739.
If you would like to be linked in with another member of the Association who has also undergone fertility treatment for advice or support, please get in touch and we will do our best to arrange this.
At the time of writing these guidelines, there are some fertility clinics in Ireland that offer fertility treatment at a reduced cost to couples who are both medical card holders, subject to demand and at the discretion of the relevant clinic. If you and your partner meet these criteria, we recommend you talk to your GP or fertility clinic for more information.
In addition, if you have private health insurance we recommend contacting your provider to see if fertility treatment is covered under your plan.
In some European countries including in the UK, IVF is available through the relevant public health service. However, it is disappointing to report that IVF is only available on a private basis in Ireland. The costs associated with IVF can be high/very high with no guarantee of success. CFI is lobbying the government for IVF treatments to be covered by public funding. For further information about this call, please contact:
Samantha Byrne
Member Services Senior Co-ordinator
t: 01 496 2433
e: sbyrne@cfireland.ie