Does Celiac disease cause infertility?

As researchers study the effects of Gluten on your fertility, it becomes easier to understand how Celiac disease causes infertility. In many patients, infertility caused by Gluten sensitivity is simply labeled as unexplained infertility, and couples end up undertaking fertility treatments that they probably don’t need.

Infertility due to Gluten-sensitivity is more common than you think. Gluten was found to be the causative factor in almost 6 percent of the patients of unexplained infertility.

Understanding the connection between Celiac disease and infertility is crucial for the effective management of both conditions, especially before you jump into expensive treatments like IVF.

What is Celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Gluten is a binding protein that helps glue carbohydrates together. Normally the body breaks down the gluten, and moves it through the digestive tract. With gluten sensitivity, however, the body mounts an immune response to the gluten itself, which causes inflammation, irritation and possible tissue breakdown along the digestive tract.

As a byproduct of the immune reaction, the body secretes inflammatory chemicals that can cause fatigue, anemia, joint pain, skin problems, and neurological issues.

How does Celiac disease cause infertility?

According to a study published in the Human Reproduction journal, Celiac disease can cause of infertility through various mechanisms as below:

1. Malnutrition: In people with Celiac Disease, Gluten consumption causes intestinal damage that halts the absorption of nutrients. This results in malnutrition, which then leads to fertility problems as obviously, a malnourished body is not fit to carry a pregnancy. Even if she conceives, a malnourished pregnant woman faces increased risk of miscarriage.
2. Hormonal problems: Malnutrition alters the normal balance of nutrients like Zinc, Calcium, Selenium, Iron, and Vitamin D, which is important for signalling the production of ovulation-managing hormones like LH and FSH. It also changes the cellular DNA.
3. Chronic inflammation: Inflammation and immune system dysfunction in Celiac disease can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting the menstrual cycle, and ovulation in women, and spermatogenesis in men. It can also impact gamete quality and embryo implantation.
4. Lifestyle factors: Celiac disease presents different symptoms causing people to adjust their lifestyles in ways that possibly make it hard for them to conceive. People have less intercourse due to pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, joint pain, and chronic fatigue, thus reducing their chances of conceiving.

According to the Gluten Free Society, pelvic inflammatory disorders (PID) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)—the two most common causes of infertility—are both linked to Gluten sensitivity in women.

Can Celiac disease affect your periods?

Women with Celiac disease, commonly have problematic periods, suggesting some possible connection to infertility.

In an Italian study, nearly 20% of the women with Celiac disease were found to have amenorrhea (missed menstrual cycles) as compared to only 2.2% of those who didn’t have Celiac.

Can Gluten-free diet help you get pregnant?

Researchers in the UK presented a report based on studying the experiences of women diagnosed with infertility, investigating the potential role of gluten, including testing and implementation of a gluten-free diet (GFD).

Both intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms were seen in infertile women, which were remarkably improved after following a GFD.