Fertility is difficult for more than 11 percent of American women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2002. The cause of fertility issues vary from person to person and may lead to myriad treatments, ranging from in vitro fertilization to dietary changes. Women who have celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, may find that getting pregnant and having a successful pregnancy is difficult or impossible until gluten is removed from the diet.
Celiac Disease
Gluten is a protein in the grains wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats. For most people it is a benign ingredient, but for people with celiac disease, gluten can cause serious health complications. If you have celiac disease, and eat gluten, it causes an immune reaction that damages the lining of your intestine. This can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, severe weight loss and for many women, altered menstrual cycles or difficulty with fertility.
Impact on Fertility
People who eat gluten with celiac disease may experience infertility. In men, it can affect sperm quality and motility. In pregnant women, eating gluten can increase the rates of miscarriage, premature delivery, and low birth weight. Interestingly, a woman may develop celiac disease during the time immediately following birth. The reason this happens is not clear, but it may be a reason for infertility following a successful pregnancy.
Gluten Free Diet
Transitioning to a gluten-free diet can be challenging. Gluten is part of the wheat, rye and barley plants, making most breads and baked goods unsafe, unless they are labeled "Gluten Free." Gluten can also be hidden as fillers, thickeners or additives in processed foods. Even minute amounts of gluten can cause symptoms. Consulting a nutritionist can help you make sure you are including all essential nutrients while eating a thoroughly gluten-free diet.
Diagnosis
If you are wrestling with fertility issues, talk to your doctor about being tested for celiac disease. Testing can include blood tests for antibodies against gluten called antitissue transglutaminase antibodies -- tTGA -- or anti-endomysium antibodies -- EMA. The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy that will show certain changes to the intestines. If you haven't eaten gluten, these changes and antibodies may not be detectable and the diagnosis might be missed, so consult your doctor before changing to a gluten-free diet.
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