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.	HPS and CRCPD Proclaim 8-14 November 2009 as National Radiation Protection Professionals Week
.	November Newsletter
.	NRC Academic Program Nuclear Education Grants, FY2010, Now Accepting Applications
.	November ORS
.	November Journal
.	EPA's STAR Graduate and GRO Undergraduate Fellowship Funding Now Accepting Applications

Upcoming Events
.	2010 HPS Midyear Topical Meeting Radiation Risk Communication to the Public 24-27 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM
.	2010 HPS Professional Development School Radiation Risk Communication: Issues and Solutions 27-29 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM

07 November 2009

Answer to Question #1453 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Conception after exposures

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I've had doctors tell me different things. I had radiation ¹³¹I 14 years ago. I was wondering if I can get pregnant. Some doctors say yes and some say no, that I won't be able to have children because of the radiation. I have read that you are supposed to have the treatment during your menstrual cycle if you are of childbearing years. At the time of my doses I was not. Is there a chance of me being able to get pregnant?

It is virtually impossible that you received enough radiation from the ¹³¹I to render you sterile. Thus, you should be able to get pregnant without difficulty. Some alarmists might express concern that you could have an abnormal child as a result of the radiation. However, the likelihood of an abnormal child from other "spontaneous" causes is much greater than that from the radiation. All this says is that if you want a child you should proceed as if you had never had the radiation. In all fairness, however, there could be extenuating circumstances in your case. You should consult with your physician if you are concerned. Best wishes for your future family.

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD

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