Family planning with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Last updated June 24, 2025, by Mary Chapman
Fact-checked by Joana Carvalho, PhD
Living with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) can bring up a lot of questions, especially when it comes to your future plans. One of the biggest might be: Can you get pregnant with PNH?
The answer is yes, pregnancy is possible for people living with this rare blood disorder. But, like many aspects of life with a chronic condition, family planning with PNH involves some extra steps, honest conversations, and thoughtful support.
Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or are just thinking ahead, it’s essential to understand how PNH might affect fertility, pregnancy, and parenthood.
Speaking with your medical team
You may be hesitant to speak openly with your medical team about such a sensitive and personal decision. But if you’re pregnant or considering having a baby, it’s crucial that you talk to your hematologist early about pregnancy and PNH.
Because each PNH case is unique, pregnant women with PNH must be closely monitored by their medical team. That often includes a hematologist and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who focuses on high-risk pregnancy conditions.
Together, they can help determine the safest and most effective PNH treatment during pregnancy and help plan for a safe delivery and recovery.
Some things to discuss with your care team will be:
- the risks associated with pregnancy in PNH, such as thrombotic complications, bone marrow failure, and hemolysis (the breakdown or destruction of red blood cells)
- how frequently you’ll need blood tests and ultrasounds
- treatment options for managing PNH while pregnant
- any questions or concerns you have about delivery and postpartum care.
Fertility considerations with PNH
Blood disorders and fertility can be a complex mix. While PNH and fertility are not directly linked in either women or men, the condition and the treatments used to manage it can influence reproductive health and decision-making.
In men, PNH can sometimes lead to erectile dysfunction, known as ED for short, which may affect the ability to conceive. In some cases, long-term illness or ongoing treatment can also impact fertility, which may lower the chances of conception.
Bringing any fertility concerns to your healthcare team early is important. Your team can help you assess any fertility challenges related to PNH, offer guidance on your options, and connect you with fertility specialists if needed.
Pregnancy with PNH
Pregnancy in PNH is possible, but it does come with higher risks, both for the mother and the baby. Among these risks are complications like preeclampsia, or high blood pressure that can damage organs, preterm birth, and miscarriage.
PNH can also raise the chances of blood clots and bleeding during pregnancy, so your care team may recommend supportive therapies, like prophylactic anticoagulation, to reduce those risks.
While some treatments for PNH have been used during pregnancy, research is still limited, and complications can still occur. Your treatment plan must be closely monitored and adjusted as needed to support both your health and your baby’s well-being.
There also are PNH and breastfeeding considerations. Some treatments may pass into breast milk in very small amounts, while others may not be recommended at all for people who are nursing. Your medical team can help you weigh the risks and benefits to make the best decisions regarding pregnancy and breastfeeding for you and your child.
Contraceptive planning and timing of pregnancy
Because of the potential risks to both pregnant women with PNH and their unborn children, along with the need for specialized medical care, effective contraception planning is crucial. It also enables you to make informed decisions about whether and when to have children.
Some forms of birth control, especially those that raise the risk of blood clots, may not be recommended for women with PNH. But there are still many safe and effective options available, including nonhormonal contraceptive methods like condoms.
The right option can vary based on your individual health needs, so it’s a good idea to talk openly with your care team about what’s best for you.
Genetic considerations
Is PNH inherited? Not directly. Although the disorder is caused by genetic mutations, it is an acquired condition, meaning it develops over time and isn’t something you can pass down to your children.
With that said, genetic counseling for rare diseases can still be a helpful part of your family planning process. It can give you a clearer understanding of the genetic factors involved in PNH and help you explore any related risks.
In some cases, PNH can occur alongside other conditions like aplastic anemia or other bone marrow failure syndromes, which may have a heritable component. If that’s true for you, genetic counseling may be useful for assessing the possibility of inherited marrow failure syndromes and what that might mean for your family.
Emotional well-being and decision-making
Navigating pregnancy decisions with PNH can be an emotional experience. Conversations with your partner about fears, risks, and future plans aren’t always easy.
Uncertainties surrounding your pregnancy, or the prospect of juggling chronic illness and parenthood, can make you feel scared or overwhelmed. And choosing to delay or avoid pregnancy may come with its own sense of grief or loss.
This is why open, honest conversations with your partner are so important. Talking through your hopes, concerns, and values together can help you make decisions that feel right for both of you.
Parenthood beyond pregnancy
If you have PNH, want to have children, and are exploring alternatives to pregnancy, meaningful paths can include adoption, surrogacy, fertility preservation, or fostering.
Parenthood is a big step for anyone, but parenting with a chronic illness can add more layers of fear, stress, and uncertainty. Joining support groups — whether online or in person — can be very helpful for those dealing with parenthood decisions while managing PNH.
Organizations such as the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and the PNH Global Alliance can guide you to such groups. These nonprofits can also help you find peer mentors and online forums.
No matter where you are in your journey, you don’t have to navigate family planning with PNH alone. With the right medical guidance and emotional support, it’s possible to build the future that feels right for you.
PNH News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
