We are addressing this question only because so many of you want to know and there is plenty of credible information that can be referenced on this topic. Many celiac medical experts have studied and weighed in on the issue.
According to most celiac experts, the answer to this question is YES. If you ask a fertility doctor about it, you’re likely to be told no – if the person you’re speaking to has even heard of the condition. In this country, most fertility clinics do not test their patients for celiac disease. Fertility treatments cost thousands of dollars, and most couples have several treatments. One might conclude that it is not in the best interest of fertility clinics to test their patients for celiac disease, which is treated only with a diet. But in fairness to fertility “experts”, it should be noted that most of them were never educated about celiac in medical school. Doctors can’t find something they are not looking for, of course.
Though there is no guarantee that following a gluten-free diet will result in a pregnancy, some people report having difficulty getting pregnant before they find out they have celiac. Some of them also report that following the gluten-free diet faithfully allowed them to get pregnant, so it can and does happen. This is not to suggest you – or anyone you know who is having problems getting pregnant – start the gluten-free diet in hopes of getting pregnant. It is to say that celiac is certainly something to rule out when speaking of unexplained infertility.
There are many reasons for infertility, including untreated celiac disease. Even so, very few fertility doctors are educated about celiac and even fewer fertility clinics routinely test their patients for celiac disease. Is this shocking? Absolutely. The more you find out about celiac disease and gluten intolerance, the more you’ll find out that U.S. doctors are years behind many other countries on this issue. Celiac specialists are aware of the most up-to-date information on these conditions here, but the average U.S. doctor does not know much, if anything, about celiac or gluten intolerance.
Both men and women can be affected by infertility and celiac. Therefore, it only takes one partner to have celiac and not know it, to have a problem with fertility. For that reason, It’s a good idea to test both parties when looking for celiac as a culprit in unexplained fertility issues.
Dr. Stefano Guandalini, M.D. of The University of Chicago Celiac Center wrote a very interesting article about this topic that is worth reading if you or someone you know is interested in this issue. Studies indicate that on average 6% of women who have unexplained fertility might have celiac which might keep them from getting pregnant. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has other interesting facts posted about this issue.
In his book Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic, Dr. Peter Green of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, explains that patients with unexplained infertility issues in many parts of Europe and South America are routinely tested for celiac disease. Dr. Green goes on to say that it’s an exception when patients with this problem in the U.S. are screened for celiac.
Can you imagine that something as simple and inexpensive (compared to fertility treatments) as the gluten-free diet might be the simple answer for some struggling couples to be able to have a child? The situation is truly pathetic.
Have a question about the gluten-free diet which we haven’t covered yet? You can now submit your questions here! (Note: All medical questions should be directed to your physician)
You must be logged in to post a comment.