Celiac Disease and Infertility

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When someone with celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten, an immune-mediated reaction causes damage to the small intestine, as well as to other systems in the body. Celiac disease is a lifelong condition that cannot be outgrown. Often present without obvious symptoms, it continues to “silently” cause intestinal damage if left untreated by the gluten-free diet.

Symptoms of celiac disease vary widely from person to person. They may occur in the digestive system or in other parts of the body. It’s possible that symptoms may only be recognized in hindsight or, again, that there may be no symptoms at all.

Symptoms may include classic gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea, cramping and bloating, as well as non-gastrointestinal signs such as short stature, anemia and liver problems. Over a lifespan, symptoms tend to shift from primarily gastrointestinal in children (diarrhea and/or constipation, bloating, pain, weight loss, vomiting) to fatigue, anemia, arthritis, depression, anxiety and numbness/tingling in the fingers and toes in adults.

Left untreated, those with celiac disease are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to inflammation, mal-absorption and malnutrition, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, seizures, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver and spleen) and gynecological disorders, including infertility.

When researchers at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University screened 188 women with infertility for celiac, there was no higher risk of the disease until they narrowed it to just those with unexplained infertility. Of that group, almost 6 percent had celiac disease—a rate nearly six times higher than expected.

Some studies suggest that the following reproductive disorders may be linked to untreated celiac disease:

• Late puberty
• Absence of menstruation
• Early menopause
• Endometriosis
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Intrauterine growth restriction
• Low birth-weight babies
• Cesarean section

Consult with your doctor and request a celiac blood panel to screen for the disease. The current “gold standard” for confirming a celiac diagnosis is via a biopsy of the small intestine, obtained through an endoscopy.

 How can celiac disease impact a woman’s fertility?

A higher rate of miscarriage, stillbirth and fetal growth problems like intrauterine growth restriction has been well documented in women with undiagnosed celiac disease. Treatment with the gluten-free diet seems to reduce these risks.

Then work closely with your doctor and follow all medical guidelines for a healthy pregnancy. If you’re newly diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s best to wait six months to a year–eating strictly gluten free and getting all celiac symptoms well under control–before attempting to conceive. But, again, check with your doctor about what is best for you individually.


 Do you have any other tips for women with celiac disease and Infertility problems?

absolutely no cheating–and to work closely with your doctor. After that, everything else is routine. For great gluten-free recipes, tips and advice, check out Living Without.

Before starting a gluten-free diet, celiac experts strongly recommend testing for celiac disease. Going gluten free before getting tested will affect the accuracy of test results.

Living Without, the nation’s leading magazine for people with food allergies and sensitivities. She is also a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in the psychological and social aspects of celiac disease and food allergies and sensitivities. For more about traveling and dining out with special dietary needs, go to LivingWithout.com.

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