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Piek SR, Martani A, Pennings G. Against age limits for men in reproductive care. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2024:10.1007/s11019-024-10203-0. [PMID: 38649633 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-024-10203-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Almost all countries and fertility clinics impose age limits on women who want to become pregnant through Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Age limits for aspiring fathers, however, are much less common and remain a topic of debate. This article departs from the principle of reproductive autonomy and a conditional positive right to receive ART, and asks whether there are convincing arguments to also impose age limits on aspiring fathers. After considering three consequentialist approaches to justifying age limits for aspiring fathers, we take in a concrete normative stance by concluding that those are not strong enough to justify such cut-offs. We reinforce our position by drawing a comparison between the case of a 39-year-old woman who wants to become a single mother via a sperm donor on the one hand, and on the other hand the same woman who wants to have a child with a 64-year-old man who she loves and who is willing to care for the child as long as he is able to. We conclude that, as long as appropriate precautions are taken to protect the welfare of the future child, couples who want to receive fertility treatment should never be limited on the basis of the age of the (male) partner. An absence of age limits for men would respect the reproductive autonomy of both the man and the woman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Piek
- Bioethics Institute Ghent, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Andrea Martani
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Guido Pennings
- Bioethics Institute Ghent, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
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McGlynn J, DeCelie-Germana JK, Kier C, Langfelder-Schwind E. Reproductive Counseling and Care in Cystic Fibrosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach for a New Therapeutic Era. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1545. [PMID: 37511919 PMCID: PMC10381247 DOI: 10.3390/life13071545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of highly effective modulator therapies, many people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living longer, healthier lives. Pregnancy rates for women with CF more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, reflecting increases in both planned and unplanned pregnancies. For men with CF, CF-associated infertility can be mitigated with assistive reproductive technology, yet patient knowledge of these challenges and options is variable. Preconception and prenatal counseling for individuals with CF and for parents of children with CF who wish to expand their families requires nuanced discussions to promote informed reproductive decisions, drawing from a combination of standard practice recommendations and CF-specific assessments. This review article synthesizes the current literature and practice recommendations regarding reproductive counseling and care in CF, outlining the role of genetic counseling, carrier screening, teratogen counseling, in vitro fertilization and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and careful assessment and management of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes when present. Via a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach, clinicians can support adults with CF and parents of children with CF as they make informed reproductive decisions and embark on family planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie McGlynn
- Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Joan K DeCelie-Germana
- Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell Division of Pediatric Pulmonary, and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA
| | - Catherine Kier
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Elinor Langfelder-Schwind
- The Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY 10075, USA
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3
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Stransky OM, Benipal S, Pam M, Taylor-Cousar JL, Documet P, Kazmerski TM. "Find ways to work parenting into cystic fibrosis": A PhotoVoice exploration of being a parent and having CF. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:1527-1534. [PMID: 36808716 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As more people with cystic fibrosis (CF) consider their reproductive futures, the impact of parenthood on CF must be better understood. In the context of chronic disease, deciding if, when, and how to become a parent is complex. Little research has investigated how parents with CF balance their role as parents with its associated health impacts and demands of CF. METHODS PhotoVoice is a research methodology that utilizes photography to generate discussion about community issues. We recruited parents with CF with at least 1 child <10 years old and divided them into three cohorts. Each cohort met five times. Cohorts developed photography prompts, took photographs between sessions, and reflected on the photos at subsequent meetings. At the final meeting, participants selected 2-3 pictures, wrote captions, and as a group organized the photographs into thematic groups. Secondary thematic analysis identified metathemes. RESULTS Participants (n = 18) generated a total of 202 photographs. Each cohort identified 3-4 themes (n = 10) which secondary analysis grouped into 3 metathemes: (1) It is important for parents with CF to pay attention to the joyful aspects of parenting and to cultivate positive experiences; (2) Parenting with CF requires balancing your own needs with those of your child, and creativity and flexibility can be key; (3) Parenting with CF consists of competing priorities and expectations often with no clear "correct" choice. CONCLUSIONS Parents with CF identified unique challenges to their existence as both parents and patients as well as ways in which parenting has enhanced their lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Stransky
- Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity (CONVERGE), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Savvy Benipal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Molly Pam
- Cystic Fibrosis Reproductive and Sexual Health Collaborative, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer L Taylor-Cousar
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Patricia Documet
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Traci M Kazmerski
- Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity (CONVERGE), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Eysenbach G, Leung T, Callegari LS, Kazmerski TM, Borrero S. A Framework for Femtech: Guiding Principles for Developing Digital Reproductive Health Tools in the United States. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e36338. [PMID: 35482371 PMCID: PMC9100540 DOI: 10.2196/36338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The United States has abysmal reproductive health indices that, in part, reflect stark inequities experienced by people of color and those with preexisting medical conditions. The growth of "femtech," or technology-based solutions to women's health issues, in the public and private sectors is promising, yet these solutions are often geared toward health-literate, socioeconomically privileged, and/or relatively healthy white cis-women. In this viewpoint, we propose a set of guiding principles for building technologies that proactively identify and address these critical gaps in health care for people from socially and economically marginalized populations that are capable of pregnancy, as well as people with serious chronic medical conditions. These guiding principles require that such technologies: (1) include community stakeholders in the design, development, and deployment of the technology; (2) are grounded in person-centered frameworks; and (3) address health disparities as a strategy to advance health equity and improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa S Callegari
- Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.,Health Services Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Traci M Kazmerski
- Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sonya Borrero
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Center for Health Research and Promotion, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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West NE, Kazmerski TM, Taylor-Cousar JL, Tangpricha V, Pearson K, Aitken ML, Jain R. Optimizing sexual and reproductive health across the lifespan in people with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57 Suppl 1:S89-S100. [PMID: 34570960 PMCID: PMC9291766 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
With improved therapies, people with cystic fibrosis are living longer and healthier lives and increasingly have questions surrounding their sexual and reproductive health. This article will summarize the important issues of which providers should be aware during the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis, including puberty, adulthood, and menopause. A wide range of sexual and reproductive health topics are addressed such as puberty, transgender and gender nonbinary identities, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, hypogonadism, sexual functioning, cyclical hemoptysis, and urinary incontinence. We discuss gaps in knowledge and current evidence as well as management strategies to optimize care. Our goal is to support providers to enable them to give comprehensive care throughout the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E West
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Traci M Kazmerski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation (CWHRI), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Vin Tangpricha
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipids, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kelsie Pearson
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Development Network, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Moira L Aitken
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Raksha Jain
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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