Sex with pv

[Sallyrob]

Hi everyone this is my first post and I hope I'm not being forward but can anyone advise me on the situation re sex with pv. I have just started on hydroxycarbamide and have been told that as a precaution I should not have unprotected sex with my male partner. This would be new to us and we don't like the idea! So can anyone tell me what are the real risks to my man. All I have read so far relates to the Linley damage to the sperm count but this is not relevant to us. Is there anything however minor that we should be thinking about

Many thanks

Sally

[Rachelthepotter]

Isn't the point that you shouldn't get pregnant or father a child on HU? So

you need to use contraception, but not necessarily a barrier method. The risk is of damage to a foetus, not to your partner.

[Sallyrob in reply to Rachelthepotter]

Thanks Rachel if that's the case then great. It's just that my nurse advised me and she knows I am 55 and no interest in having more children. So wondered if there was anything else ?

Sally

[Rachelthepotter in reply to Sallyrob]

Hi

Does seem unlikely that contraception would be an issue for you, as you say. However, the Macmillan booklets and the hydroxy patient info insert say the same thing. ( I was on hydroxy for a few months before being switched to Ruxolitinib.) Here is an extract:

"It is unknown if this medication affects the sperm. If you plan to father a child, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Hydroxyurea is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. To avoid pregnancy, both men and women taking this drug should use reliable form(s) of birth control (such as birth control pills, condoms) during treatment, and for 6 months after treatment for women, and for 1 year after treatment for men. Consult with your doctor for more details. If you or your partner becomes pregnant or may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

Hydroxyurea passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding."

Maybe at some stage your nurse confused using condoms for contraception with using condoms to prevent health problems. But do talk it over with her, or your haemo.

Best regards