In Part 2 of Salty and Sexy, we go further into what it means to age with cystic fibrosis—and how that intersects with reproductive and sexual health. Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski are back to talk about the realities of perimenopause and menopause in CF—including hormone therapy, bone density, and the growing need for cancer screenings. They also discuss recent research initiatives—including the PROTECT Workshop and the Mayflowers study—which are exploring the effects of prenatal exposure to CF modulators.

We talk honestly about the unspoken intimacy challenges of CF and offer practical advice for navigating them. The conversation also addresses the emotional and clinical gaps in care for CF patients as they age, and the importance of making space for sexual and reproductive health in clinic conversations.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains candid discussions of sexual and reproductive health in CF, including references to anatomy, intimacy, and fertility.

RESOURCES:

• Mayflowers Study (U.S.)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382

• "Menopause in people with cystic fibrosis"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720079/

The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Sexual and reproductive health isn’t always talked about in CF clinic—but we think it should be part of normal clinic discourse. In episode 3 of It’s a Lung Story, Ahmet, Lauren, and Andrea are joined by two incredible guests; pulmonologists Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski, national leaders in CF sexual health research and absolute pros at keeping it real. Together, we talk about how modulators are shifting fertility expectations, what male infertility in CF actually means, the pregnancy boom, and why pH levels matter more than you’d think.

We also get into why CF care teams need to talk more openly about contraception, capacitation (look it up!), and yes—there’s a chocolate visual you’ll never unhear.

And don’t worry—there was so much good stuff we had to split this one in two. Part 2 will drop on 4/30—we'll we tackle menopause, intimacy, hormone therapy, and things you didn't even know you wanted to hear about.

RESOURCES:

• Mayflowers Study (U.S.)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382

• North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) – Plenary 3 Presentation by Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski

Reproductive Health in Cystic Fibrosis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MwRUD222U0

The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In this episode of It’s a Lung Story, we dive into the complex relationship between mental health and cystic fibrosis. Joined by Dr. Anna Georgiopoulos, a psychiatrist at Mass General Brigham and an expert in CF mental health, we explore how medical advancements have transformed physical health without always improving mental well-being, the emotional challenges of aging with CF, and the evolving dynamics of caregiver relationships.

Dr. Georgiopoulos shares insights from groundbreaking research, including the upcoming RETRIAL study, which examines how newer CF modulators affect mental health. We also discuss survivor’s guilt from an unexpected angle, and the reality that looking healthy doesn’t mean living without struggle.

We’ll also talk about cheating on mental health screenings, dancing with our dogs, and the evolution of swear words in Taylor Swift's discography. Mental health is serious—but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun along the way.

RESOURCES

• CF Foundation’s Mental Health Guidelines & Screening Tools

https://thorax.bmj.com/content/71/1/26

• European CF Society Mental Health Guidelines

https://www.ecfs.eu/mental-health-in_CF

The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

These are just a few of the questions we’ll tackle on the inaugural episode of It's a Lung Story.

Ahmet, Lauren, and Andrea explore all things CFRD with Dr. Melissa Putman, an endocrinologist and expert in CFRD at Mass General Brigham in Boston. Together, they dive into what makes CFRD different from other types of diabetes, the importance of screening (and how it can be improved), and the long-term risk factors that come into play now that people with CF are living longer.

Andrea and Lauren get personal, sharing their own experiences of receiving a CFRD diagnosis. The four also discuss the stellar math skills required to constantly count carbs, why diabetes in CF doesn't get its own fancy number like Type 1 or Type 2, and the exciting potential of the bionic pancreas—and what it could mean for people like Lauren and Andrea. And of course, expect a few detours—because CFRD, much like life, refuses to follow a script.

RESOURCES

• North American CF Conference 2024 Plenary on CFRD:

https://www.youtube.com/live/d_jxpODEKw8

The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.