While Gluten Sensitivity and Infertility is not a 'hot topic' because of the rise of successful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments and their successful marketing techniques. Because of this lucrative treatment, doctors are missing a HUGE cause of female infertility by overlooking the connection between Celiac Disease, Gluten Sensitivity and Infertility.
Even though doctors are not recognizing this problems, before ANYONE attempts dangerous and expensive IVF treatments, they should simply try going on a gluten free diet when unexplained infertility is the problem. This inexpensive and simple solution has been THE ANSWER to many couple's infertility problems and has resulted in many successful pregnancies from just doing this ONE extremely simply dietary change- not to mention that this dietary change could prevent an untold amount of misery down the line for the woman AND her child because infertility is only ONE problem in the EPIDEMIC of undiagnosed Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity.
For those who are aware of this connection, gluten sensitivity is one of the Causes of Infertility in Men- and unexplained infertility in either sex is a GLARING RED FLAG that gluten sensitivity is present and to try out a Gluten Intolerance Diet to see if that is the problem.
There is SO much research that this ONE thing can Increase Male Fertility and allow women to get pregnant when nothing else has worked, that it is really negligent that doctors do not check for this problem. But doctors still have a 'preconceived notion' that Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity MUST be associated with digestive problems. But the research, again, is VERY clear that this is NOT the case at all and Celiac Disease can present with ANY symptom at all- including unexplained infertility.
"Among the extradigestive complications
associated with CD, unexplained infertility has
been reported since the 70's. To date, it is widely
accepted that untreated CD represents a risk for
abortion, low birth weight babies and
short breast feeding period. These features can be
corrected by GFD [Gluten Free Diet]."
Women and Celiac Disease. The Association with Unexplained Infertility
Among those women who are able to get pregnant, but who have miscarriages should suspect Gluten Sensitivity as well, as this is a common- yet unrecognized problem in those women who might benefit from a Gluten Intolerance Diet.
"In adults, the disease may present
with infertility; in particular celiac disease may
be responsible of multiple abortions. These
manifestations...are not related to the severity of the disease;
the gluten-free diet strongly ameliorates the fertility."
Celiac disease and abortion: focusing on a possible relationship
Notice in the above quote that they use the term 'May Present with Infertility'. This term is EXTREMELY significant because if you were to ask your doctor if those with Celiac Disease have a higher rate of infertility, he would readily agree with you. But then ask him to screen YOU for Celiac Disease, he will say that it is 'Not Indicated' because you don't have any symptoms of Celiac Disease! What your doctor doesn't understand is that UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY IS A SYMPTOM OF CELIAC DISEASE!!
That is the significance of the term 'May Present with Infertility'. It means that women whose ONLY symptom was infertility were diagnosed with Celiac Disease – when their doctors were AWARE of the connection between gluten sensitivity and infertility. Those whose doctors AREN'T aware of it could end up going with years of infertility and even expensive and painful IVF procedures that were completely unnecessary!
Unfortunately, there is still a hurdle to overcome even if your doctor IS aware of the connection between gluten sensitivity and infertility and is progressive enough to test you. Most will ALSO believe that a negative test means that gluten will not cause a problem and send you on your way to get IVF treatments. But this is not necessarily the case at all!!
"Women of childbearing age should be informed that the treatment of cœliac disease by a gluten-free diet may improve their fertility."
COELIAC INFERTILITY: AN INDICATION FOR DIETARY GLUTEN RESTRICTION
When you read the page on Diagnosing Gluten Allergy, you'll see that getting a diagnosis is MUCH more complicated than simply having a Celiac Blood Test and even an intestinal biopsy. There is still a clinically significant condition called Non Celiac Gluten Intolerance or Subclinical Gluten Sensitivity that will NOT be found on antibody tests or intestinal biopsy.
And despite plenty of evidence that it is a REAL disease with REAL consequences- most doctors simply refuse to 'Believe In' Non Celiac Gluten Intolerance. As if this problem was a belief system and not a disease that has been PROVEN to exist and that is EXTREMELY underdiagnosed!!
If you are have undiagnosed Gluten Sensitivity and Infertility it's EXTREMELY important to find out if you really do have gluten sensitivity. Those women who do have Celiac Disease and who go on to get pregnant, may end up having other complications that women with Celiac Disease have which are:
So, in order to have the best chance of success with not only GETTING pregnant, but staying pregnant, being able to successfully breastfeed AND have a healthy baby that does not suffer from subtle nutritional deficiencies in the womb, it's EXTREMELY important that YOU recognize this problem and address it by going on a Gluten Intolerance Diet – even if your doctor does NOT believe that it is 'indicated'- it is completely safe and has a high potential benefit.
You that you know the facts, you can choose what you want to do. And if you have been infertile and there is even a POSSIBILITY that you have Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity - you would want to have the best support for you and your baby nutritionally before, during and after pregnancy don't you?
Keep reading about why not just being nutritionally adequate, but specifically sufficient in Vitamin D is so important to your baby's future health....
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Vitamin D During Pregnancy
Click below to see already answered questions about Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten Sensitivity and Miscarriages
I had always gotten pregnant easily, had easy pregnancies and deliveries and perfectly healthy children. You'll notice the word 'had'. I only wish all …
Getting Pregnant after Getting off of Gluten
About how long will it take to become pregnant once you go gluten free assuming
of course this is the cause of infertility?
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