Can a person with Spina Bifida father a child?

The quick answer to this question is yes. The longer answer is - how a man with Spina Bifida fathers a child depends on many issues.

In order to conceive a child a man needs to be able to form and maintain a penile erection firm enough to penetrate his partner's vagina. He must also be able ejaculate enough healthy semen to fertilize his partner's egg.

Men can form erections either through psychogenic (mental arousal) or reflexive (physical stimulation) mechanisms. The lower the level of the myelomenigocele lesion, the more likely a man can form and maintain an erection. In the few studies that have been published on this subject, about 70% of the men with Spina Bifida reported having erections, most as a result of direct stimulation. Whether these erections could be sustained for sexual intercourse was not reported. For those who have difficulty, there are medications, devices, and internal prosthetics which can help. Most adult urologists can assist the man in choosing the most appropriate method.

The other requirement for fertilizing a partner's egg is the ejaculation of sperm. Some men with Spina Bifida can have erections and orgasms, but the sperm does not take the normal course through the urethra out of the penis. In these men, the sperm travels backwards into the bladder (called retrograde ejaculation). While there is no known harm to the man when this happens, the likelihood of impregnating his partner is low. In these circumstances, a fertility expert can help the couple using special techniques to obtain viable sperm from the man.

Finally, men with Spina Bifida can become loving, supportive fathers to children through a host of other ways. For example, couples can consider surrogate sperm donation or adoption as other ways to start a family together. In the end, we all know "Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad."

More information on male sexual functioning and fertility is available in the Health Guide for Adults Living with Spina Bifida available from the Spina Bifida Association Marketplace Publications webpage.