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HOW TURNING GLUTEN-FREE CAN HELP WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY
Medical Contributors

HOW TURNING GLUTEN-FREE CAN HELP WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY

The human body is an intricate machine. Each of its varying systems may seem like a separate entity, but they all work together at their centre. Therefore, a failure or deficiency in one area may produce significant adverse effects elsewhere. Consequently, it can be easy to miss or overlook how one thing can be the underlying cause of a major issue. One example of this cascading effect is evident in recent medical reports stating that there may be some evidence that, in some cases, undiagnosed celiac disease may be related to unexplained infertility. So, what is the correlation between gluten and infertility issues? Coeliac Disease And Gluten Before diving into how gluten plays into infertility, it may be best to understand its relation to coeliac disease better. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that results from the body’s reaction to gluten. It primarily affects the small intestine. However, while there are some common symptoms, including fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, coeliac disease still presents differently in individuals. This attribute makes the disease difficult to diagnose. In addition, it can affect every part of your body. Gluten is a general term describing naturally occurring proteins in certain cereals such as rye, wheat, barley and triticale. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals are yet to discover a cure for coeliac disease. Therefore, the best way to manage the condition once you receive a diagnosis is by completely cutting out gluten from your diet. Hence the term ‘gluten-free’. Gluten And Infertility Issues Medical professionals carried out numerous epidemiological and clinical analyses and reviews. These studies demonstrate that female patients with coeliac are at greater risk of multiple pregnancy-related issues, including newborns with low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, a shorter period of lactation, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. As a result, you may have difficulty conceiving. So what effect does eliminating gluten have? As mentioned above, eliminating gluten from your diet is the most effective way to manage coeliac disease. Once you do so, like in many other cases, you may notice almost immediate significant relief from various previously chronic health concerns. This improvement manifests in the resolution and disappearance of the common symptoms of the disease. Next, you may find conception easier. Medical professionals state that it takes five years for your body to recover entirely from gluten. Once this change occurs, you may be better able to conceive naturally. In addition, you will have better chances of carrying a baby to term. In fact, this particular scenario describes one woman’s journey from diagnosis to conception and birth. She mentioned that while her first two pregnancies after going gluten-free were through IVF, she did conceive her third child naturally (which happened exactly five years after she eliminated gluten from her diet). Removing Gluten From Your Diet Fortunately, it is much easier to avoid gluten today than ever. Supermarkets and eateries everywhere have a wide and ready selection of gluten-free foods and food alternatives. In addition, there is plenty of information on the internet guiding you toward the best places to dine when you travel to new places. For many, the path to conception is winding and rife with troubles. However, suppose you are experiencing particular difficulty and have also been suffering from the symptoms of coeliac disease. This combination indicates that it may be best to have a more detailed discussion with your doctor.

The human body is an intricate machine. Each of its varying systems may seem like a separate entity, but they all work together at their centre. Therefore, a failure or deficiency in one area may produce significant adverse effects elsewhere. Consequently, it can be easy to miss or overlook how one thing can be the underlying cause of a major issue.

One example of this cascading effect is evident in recent medical reports stating that there may be some evidence that, in some cases, undiagnosed celiac disease may be related to unexplained infertility.

So, what is the correlation between gluten and infertility issues?

Coeliac Disease And Gluten

Before diving into how gluten plays into infertility, it may be best to understand its relation to coeliac disease better.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that results from the body’s reaction to gluten. It primarily affects the small intestine. However, while there are some common symptoms, including fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, coeliac disease still presents differently in individuals. This attribute makes the disease difficult to diagnose. In addition, it can affect every part of your body.

Gluten is a general term describing naturally occurring proteins in certain cereals such as rye, wheat, barley and triticale.

Unfortunately, healthcare professionals are yet to discover a cure for coeliac disease. Therefore, the best way to manage the condition once you receive a diagnosis is by completely cutting out gluten from your diet. Hence the term ‘gluten-free’.

Gluten And Infertility Issues

Medical professionals carried out numerous epidemiological and clinical analyses and reviews. These studies demonstrate that female patients with coeliac are at greater risk of multiple pregnancy-related issues, including newborns with low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, a shorter period of lactation, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. As a result, you may have difficulty conceiving.

So what effect does eliminating gluten have?

As mentioned above, eliminating gluten from your diet is the most effective way to manage coeliac disease. Once you do so, like in many other cases, you may notice almost immediate significant relief from various previously chronic health concerns. This improvement manifests in the resolution and disappearance of the common symptoms of the disease.

Next, you may find conception easier. Medical professionals state that it takes five years for your body to recover entirely from gluten. Once this change occurs, you may be better able to conceive naturally. In addition, you will have better chances of carrying a baby to term. In fact, this particular scenario describes one woman’s journey from diagnosis to conception and birth. She mentioned that while her first two pregnancies after going gluten-free were through IVF, she did conceive her third child naturally (which happened exactly five years after she eliminated gluten from her diet).

Removing Gluten From Your Diet

Fortunately, it is much easier to avoid gluten today than ever. Supermarkets and eateries everywhere have a wide and ready selection of gluten-free foods and food alternatives. In addition, there is plenty of information on the internet guiding you toward the best places to dine when you travel to new places.

For many, the path to conception is winding and rife with troubles. However, suppose you are experiencing particular difficulty and have also been suffering from the symptoms of coeliac disease. This combination indicates that it may be best to have a more detailed discussion with your doctor.