What about pregnancy and Ulcerative Colitis ?

If you have Ulcerative Colitis your chances of conceiving are not usually affected by the disease. However, if
you have pouch surgery your fertility may be affected. Also, men taking sulphasalazine may
have reduced fertility whilst on the drug, but alternative medication is available. Most women
with Ulcerative Colitis can expect a normal pregnancy and the delivery and development of a healthy baby.
However, if your disease is active when you conceive, or flares up during pregnancy, there may
be an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth. So doctors usually recommend that you
avoid pregnancy when your disease is very active.

The contraceptive pill is safe and effective unless you have severe diarrhoea, in which case you
may wish to use other contraceptive methods. You can continue taking most drugs through
pregnancy, including steroids, aminosalicylates and azathioprine. It is important to keep Ulcerative Colitis under
control during pregnancy by continuing treatment, as active disease can harm the growing baby.
For more details see our information sheets: Fertility and IBD and Pregnancy in IBD.

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