Celiac disease is a condition in which the immune system does not handle gluten as it should, potentially causing damage to the lining of the small intestine. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and many different prepared foods that we eat everyday…
WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?
The small intestine is the part of the body that is responsible for absorbing food and nutrients. Often, damage to the lining of the small intestines leads to malabsorption or an inability to absorb the important nutrients that we need. Celiac disease cannot be cured, however eating a gluten-free diet usually halts the damage to the intestinal lining and the resulting malabsorption issues.
It is interesting to note that celiac disease, when untreated or undiagnosed, can lead to a number of totally unrelated health issues, including anemia, osteoporosis, and even depression. Research has shown that undiagnosed celiac disease may also cause infertility issues in both women and men.
INFERTILITY AND CELIAC DISEASE
Infertility is typically defined by the medical community as the inability to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex. Ovulation problems are often the cause of fertility issues for women; for men, infertility may be the result of not enough sperm being produced or abnormal sperm production.
Many people with undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease suffer from infertility. Some doctors believe that resulting infertility is related to malnutrition/malabsorption of nutrients, although research is not yet conclusive regarding the reasons why there are high rates of unexplained infertility in women with celiac disease.
MEDICAL RESEARCH
Current research studies have found that celiac disease is seen in approximately 4% of women with unexplained infertility. One particular study examined the rate of children born to patients with celiac disease and compared it to the number of children born to a control group. It found that prior to diagnosis, women with celiac disease had far fewer children – an average of 1.9 children, compared to 2.5 children in the control group. Once celiac disease was actually diagnosed and treated, the difference in the number of children born started to even out. While researchers believe that celiac disease most likely caused the difference in fertility, or the rate of children born, prior to diagnosis, a gluten-free diet seemed to correct the unexplained infertility following diagnosis.
There are very few medical studies conducted that look for male reproductive issues in celiac disease. It has been noted, however, that male celiac disease patients have a greater incidence of male hormone (androgen) deficiency, as well as a greater risk of infertility and other reproductive issues.
MENSTRUAL DISORDERS
It is important to note that women with celiac disease often suffer from menstrual disorders that could also cause infertility. In fact, in one study, close to 20% of women with celiac disease suffered from missed menstrual periods, otherwise known as amenorrhea. That is a significant percentage when compared to the control group; only 2.2% of the control group suffered from missed menstrual cycles.
In addition, women with celiac disease suffered complications during pregnancy four times more often that women without the disease. Complications included severe anemia, pregnancy induced hypertension, potential miscarriage and intrauterine growth retardation.
CELIAC DISEASE AFFECTS MEN AND WOMEN
Infertility affects men and women almost equally. Statistics show that when couples face infertility, female infertility accounts for one-third of the problems and male infertility issues make up for another third. The remaining third will find problems with both male and female infertility, or will receive a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Many reproductive specialists recommend that patients be screened for celiac disease if they have unexplained infertility.
If you’re infertile and you receive a celiac disease diagnosis, do not despair. Once they were diagnosed with celiac disease, many previously infertile women have been able to conceive successfully after changing their eating habits and adopting a healthy, gluten-free diet.
If you are having trouble getting pregnant, or if you have other questions, it may be time to make an appointment with a reproductive specialist. Call our knowledgeable staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) today. CORM serves the greater southeast Texas area with three state-of-the-art fertility clinics located in Houston, Webster, and Beaumont. Our highly trained doctors will work with you to determine appropriate testing needs and they will help you choose the best fertility program for your individual reproductive medical needs.