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Unexplained Infertility Higher in Woman with Gluten Sensitivity

Nutritional causes of infertility

Can Gluten Cause Infertility?

Gluten is a scientifically known hormone disruptor, and we also know that it can contribute to problems with conception. A recent research study shed even more light on this topic. Doctors identified that women with gluten problems had much higher rates of unexplained infertility (infertility with no other known cause) recent study demonstrated increased rates of celiac disease in women who present with unexplained infertility. The study evaluated 191 female patients.
Among the 188 patients who completed testing, the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease was 2.1%. While this rate was not significantly higher than the expected 1.3%, the diagnosis of celiac disease in women with unexplained infertility was found to be significantly higher at 5.9% (3 of 51 women). Interestingly, all 4 patients found to have celiac disease conceived within a year of diagnosis.

Resource:

Choi JM, et al. Increased prevalence of celiac disease in patients with unexplained infertility in the United States. J Reprod Med. 2011 May-Jun;56(5-6):199-203.  

Symptoms of Gluten Induced Malabsorption

It is common knowledge that gluten can cause malabsorption of vitamins and minerals by damaging the gastrointestinal tract. What is less commonly known are the side effects related to the nutritional deficiencies. For example, when celiac disease causes calcium deficiency, the symptoms can manifest in the following ways:

Gluten and Infertility

The above is just one example of how grain induced damage can cause problems. There are literally thousands more that could illustrate this point. When it comes to conception and fertility, nutrition is critical. Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to infertility in numerous ways. The diagram below illustrates this point. Nutritional causes of infertility Because we know that people with gluten issues are at greater risk for nutritional problems, it only makes since to investigate these issues in those presenting with infertility. In my opinion, using powerful hormones and drugs to induce a pregnancy for couples who cannot conceive is dangerous and irresponsible. If the mother and father’s nutritional status is not investigated, we open Pandora’s Box on the possibility of birth defects, developmental disorders, and a host of other complications. All the best, Dr. O – The Gluten Free Warrior

6 Responses

  1. Just wondering if any of these women were tested for the MTHFR genes! Gluten Sensitivity is a side effect of the gene defects found with MTHFR…and so is miscarriage. Many doctors still do not test for it…but the inability to absorb folate and B vitamins plays havoc with the system.

  2. I discovered my Celiac Disease from a Delicious Living magazine. I had a 2-5% chance of getting pregnant and did every fertility treatment. 1 year after discovering I had Celiac Disease, I got pregnant on my own!! Then another healthy pregnancy a year after that!! My endometriosis never came back either! I’ll swear it was the gluten killing my hormones!! 3 of my kids and my twin also have it:)))

  3. My entire situation is undiagnosed. My doctor never asked or checked into my reproductive health. I feel so taken advantage of and stupid. At the age of 61 a young relative of mine told me something. It was in the spring of 2015 and it isn’t taught in sex education classes. There’s an obvious reason behind it too. A lot of women who have had children aren’t aware of this either I found out.

  4. Can a person be tested for celiac? TEST BEING negative , and still having gluten sensitivity. My daughter showed negative for celiac . Did 4 rounds of in vitro. Had 2 miscarriages. She’s been trying for 7 yrs.
    Jeannette

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