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Ulcerative Colitis Factors: Gender

Men and women may have some different concerns when dealing with ulcerative colitis (UC). Many result from lifestyle and family-planning issues.

In a 1995 European study, people with inflammatory bowel disease were asked to complete a 25-item survey where they rated their concerns about the disease on a scale of 0 to 100. The study also looked at patients’ knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease. Results showed that the top concerns among men and women were actually similar.

  • An ostomy bag
  • Effects of medication
  • Surgery
  • Uncertainty of the disease
  • Energy level


Three differences were noted among the remaining evaluated concerns:

  Women
(overall score)		 Men
(overall score)
Being a burden on others
40.6 18.5
Passing on the disease 12.1 5.6
Being treated differently 19.3 10.4


Researchers also concluded that there’s a relationship between the patients’ knowledge of the disease and their level of concern. For both genders, results showed that the more educated they are about the disease, the fewer concerns they have.

Planning a Family

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how UC may affect your long-term goals. As a team, you and your doctor can determine the best ways for you to plan a family while having UC. Because ulcerative colitis often is diagnosed in early adulthood, the disease’s effects on fertility may be a concern. If you are thinking about extending your family, there are special considerations you must face regarding your gender.

  • Men: Ulcerative colitis does not affect men’s fertility directly. However, sulfa medications used to treat UC can affect sperm count or motility and lead to temporary infertility. Check with your doctor if you are concerned about the medication’s side effects. Your doctor may prescribe medication that isn’t likely to adversely affect your fertility.
  • Women: Ulcerative colitis does not affect women's fertility directly. If planning a pregnancy, doctors recommend becoming pregnant during a period of remission. Once pregnant, flare-ups may increase the chances for miscarriages and other complications. Prior to pregnancy, talk to your doctor about your medication and be sure to continue that discussion throughout your pregnancy. Asacol HD should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

 

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