Sexual and reproductive health isn’t always talked about in CF clinic—but we think it should be part of normal clinic discourse. In episode 3 of It’s a Lung Story, Ahmet, Lauren, and Andrea are joined by two incredible guests; pulmonologists Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski, national leaders in CF sexual health research and absolute pros at keeping it real. Together, we talk about how modulators are shifting fertility expectations, what male infertility in CF actually means, the pregnancy boom, and why pH levels matter more than you’d think.

We also get into why CF care teams need to talk more openly about contraception, capacitation (look it up!), and yes—there’s a chocolate visual you’ll never unhear.

And don’t worry—there was so much good stuff we had to split this one in two. Part 2 will drop on 4/30—we'll we tackle menopause, intimacy, hormone therapy, and things you didn't even know you wanted to hear about.:

RESOURCES:

Mayflowers Study (U.S.)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382

North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) – Plenary 3

Reproductive Health in Cystic Fibrosis

Plenary Presentation by Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MwRUD222U0

We talk about how modulators are shifting fertility expectations, what male infertility in CF really means, and what the pregnancy boom is telling us. There's also a candid look at sperm retrieval procedures, the under-discussed need for contraception counseling, and why STI prevention still matters—regardless of fertility status.

If you've ever wondered what CBAVD stands for, this one’s for you. And don’t worry—there was so much good stuff we had to split this episode down the middle. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we tackle menopause, intimacy, hormone therapy, and all the things we really need to be talking about. Do we go off-script a little? Do we even need to answer that?

CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains candid discussions of sexual and reproductive health in CF, including references to anatomy, intimacy, and fertility.

RESOURCES:

Mayflowers Study (U.S.)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382

North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) – Plenary 3

Reproductive Health in Cystic Fibrosis

Plenary Presentation by Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MwRUD222U0

Managing cystic fibrosis is tough—but adding cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) to the mix? That’s next level. Not everyone with CF develops CFRD, so why does it happen? And what are the emotional and mental tolls of a second diagnosis?

These are just a few of the questions we’ll tackle on the inaugural episode of It's a Lung Story. Ahmet, Lauren, and Andrea explore all things CFRD with Dr. Melissa Putman, an endocrinologist and expert in CFRD at Mass General Brigham in Boston. Together, they dive into what makes CFRD different from other types of diabetes, the importance of screening (and how it can be improved), and the long-term risk factors that come into play now that people with CF are living longer.

Andrea and Lauren get personal, sharing their own experiences of receiving a CFRD diagnosis. The four also discuss the stellar math skills required to constantly count carbs, why diabetes in CF doesn't get its own fancy number like Type 1 or Type 2, and the exciting potential of the bionic pancreas—and what it could mean for people like Lauren and Andrea. And of course, expect a few detours—because CFRD, much like life, refuses to follow a script.

Dr. Melissa Putman is a leading endocrinologist specializing in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes (CFRD) at Mass General Hospital in Boston. She is a medicine and pediatric-trained physician at a Harvard-affiliated hospital and leads multiple clinical trials in bone health and CFRD treatments. She was also a plenary speaker at the 2024 North American CF Conference, where she discussed cutting-edge research on CFRD and the potential of the bionic pancreas in CF care.

RESOURCES AND MENTIONS:

North American CF Conference 2024 Plenary on CFRD:

https://www.youtube.com/live/d_jxpODEKw8