Can patients with ankylosing spondylitis have children?

　　Ankylosing spondylitis typically refers to the condition known as ankylosing spondylitis. Whether a patient with ankylosing spondylitis can have children should be determined based on the control status of the disease. Most patients with long-term stable conditions, without severe joint deformities or complications, can generally conceive and give birth normally. However, if the disease is in an active phase or there are severe spinal or hip joint lesions causing poor physical condition, the risks related to pregnancy are higher, and careful evaluation is necessary. Detailed analysis is as follows:

　　If patients have well-controlled conditions, with no significant pain or movement limitations for a prolonged period, and the functions of the spine and hip joints are essentially normal, they can usually prepare for pregnancy and give birth normally after stabilizing their condition through standardized treatment to reach a non-active phase. This disease itself does not directly affect the function of the reproductive system. Male patients generally have unaffected sperm quality, and female patients can ovulate normally. With proper prenatal monitoring, most patients can successfully complete the pregnancy and childbirth process.

　　If patients are in an active phase of the disease, experiencing persistent severe lower back pain and joint swelling, or if there is severe spinal deformity leading to poor physical tolerance, pregnancy and childbirth could increase the physical burden, possibly exacerbating the disease. Additionally, physical discomfort during pregnancy may affect fetal development. In such cases, it is necessary to actively control the disease first and consider pregnancy only after the condition has stabilized.

　　To ensure reproductive safety, patients with ankylosing spondylitis need to make adequate preparations before conception. They should communicate with their doctors in advance to adjust treatment plans and discontinue any medications that might affect the fetus.