Dr. Lester De Silva asked:


Background

Definition of unexplained infertility: Infertility cases in which the standard infertility testing has not found a cause for the failure to conceive.

The definition of what “standard testing” consists of is not agreed upon by all experts. Unexplained infertility is also referred to as idiopathic infertility. Medical studies have reported that 0-26% of infertile couples have unexplained infertility. The most commonly reported figures are between 10-20% of infertile couples. However, those percentages are from studies in which all the women had laparoscopy surgery to investigate the no longer done as part of the routine fertility workup. Therefore, we are not finding all of the causes of infertility that we used to – leaving more couples in the unexplained category. The current rate of unexplained infertility is probably about 50% for couples with a female partner under age 35 and about 80% by age 40 (see discussion below about female age issues).

In reality, there are probably hundreds of “causes” of infertility. What this means is that there are a lot of things that have to happen perfectly in order to conceive and have a baby. As a simplified example:

The hormones that stimulate egg development must be made in the brain and pituitary and be released properly The egg must be of sufficient quality and be chromosomally normal The egg must develop to maturity The brain must release a sufficient surge of the LH hormone to stimulate final maturation of the egg The follicle must rupture and release the follicular fluid and the egg The tube must “pick up” the egg The ***** must survive their brief visit in the vagina, enter the cervical mucous, swim to the fallopian tube and “find” the egg The ***** must be able to get through the cumulus cells around the egg and bind the shell (zona pellucida) of the egg The ***** must undergo a biochemical reaction and release their DNA package (23 chromosomes) into the egg The fertilized egg must be able to divide   The early embryo must continue to divide and develop normally After 3 days, the tube should have transported the embryo into the uterus The embryo must continue to develop into a blastocyst The blastocyst must hatch from its shell The endometrial lining of the uterus must be properly developed and receptive  The hatched blastocyst must attach to the endometrial lining and “implant” Many more miracles in early embryonic and fetal development must then follow…

 A weak link anywhere in chain can this cause failure to conceive

The above list is very oversimplified, but the point is made. There are literally hundreds of molecular and biochemical events that have to function properly in order to have a pregnancy develop. The standard tests for infertility barely scratch the surface and are really only looking for very obvious factors, such as blocked tubes, abnormal ***** counts, ovulation regularity, etc. These tests do not address the molecular issues at all. That is still for the future…2

The subtle causes of sub fertility that have been proposed as underlying unexplained infertility are as follows3

Ovarian and endocrine factors

 Abnormal follicle growth

Luteinized unruptured follicles and ovarian cysts

Hyper secretion of LH

Hypersecretion of prolactin in the presence of ovulation

Reduced growth hormone secretion /sensitivity

Cytological abnormalities in oocytes

Genetic abnormalities in oocytes

Antibodies to zona pellucida

  Peritoneal factors

 Altered macrophage and immune activity

Mild endometriosis

Antichlaydial Ab

  Tubal factors

 Abnormal peristalsis or cilliac activity

Altered macrophage and immune activity

  Endometrial factors

 Abnormal secretion of endometrial proteins

Abnormal intergrin/adhesion molecules

Abnormal t cell and natural killer cell activity

Secretion of embryo toxic factors

Abnormalities in uterine perfusion

 Cervical factors

 Altered cervical mucous

Increased immunogenicity

General immune factors

Altered cell mediated immunity

  Male factors

 Reduction in motility, acrosome reaction, oocyte  binding ,and zona penetration

Ultrasructural abnormalities of head morphology

  Embryological factors

 Poor quality embryos

Reduced progression to blastocyst

Abnormal chromosomal complement-increased miscarriage rate

Unexplained infertility and female age

Women are born with certain number of eggs and when they attain menarche they start releasing these eggs cyclically. As the woman ages they run out of there eggs and quality of eggs will become poorer too. Therefore the likelihood of a diagnosis of unexplained infertility is increased substantially in women 35 and over – and greatly increased in women over 38. Since we do not have a “standard category” called egg factor infertility, these couples sometimes get lumped in to the “unexplained” infertility category. Most women over 40 who try to get pregnant will have difficulty, and fertility over age 44 is rare – even in women who are ovulating regularly every month. The point is that the older the female partner, the more likely that there is an egg related issue causing the fertility problem. Unfortunately, there is currently no specific test for “egg quality”.2

Unexplained infertility and Mild endometriosis

It is not quite clear whether mild endometriosis causes infertility and treating mild endometriosis improve the fertility rates. Some recent studies has shown surgical treatment for mild endometriosis increases the fertility. Some experts would also consider infertility associated with mild endometriosis to be in the “unexplained” category. This is because a cause and effect relationship has not been definitely established between mild endometriosis and fertility problems.

Chance for getting pregnant on own – without fertility treatment – for couples with unexplained infertility

The duration of infertility is important. The longer the infertility, the less likely the couple is to conceive on their own. After 5 years of infertility, a couple with unexplained infertility has less than a 10% chance for success on their own.

One study showed that for couples with unexplained infertility and over 3 years of trying on their own, the cumulative pregnancy rate after 24 months of attempting conception without any treatment was 28%. This number was found to be reduced by 10% for each year that the female is over 31.4

Treatment options for unexplained infertility

Ovarian stimulation and/or intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination vs. timed *********** – no medications involved

Studies have been shown that chances of pregnancy is increased with intrauterine insemination  compared to timed ***********.

Clomid and timed intercourse

Glazener et al .treated 100women,43% of whom were porous ,with either clomid 100mg from days 2-6 and placebo in a randomized cross over study. Overall there was a 50% increase in pregnancy rates after 3 cycles of treatment. Benefit was seen in after 3 years of infertility and more so in parous women.The same study showed that there were no conception in women over 35 years.5 This suggest that these women are not suitable candidates for clomid treatment and should be treated vigorously with assisted conception methods.

Clomid plus IUI

Treatment with Clomid tablets plus IUI improves fertility rates. For unexplained infertility, studies have shown that for women under 35, monthly success rates for Clomid plus insemination are about 10% per cycle. This pregnancy rate holds up for about 3 tries and the success rate is considerably lower after that.

Deaton et al carried out a randomized study between timed *********** or clomid with IUI, and showed that monthly fecundity was 9.5% in clomid plus IUI group compared to control group- a significant difference.6  In the same study it has been showed that there was no difference in number of follicles between conception and non conception cycles, suggesting that the insemination component have a more important influence than the Clomid does on outcome- but success rates are higher when both are used together.

Collating all studies together a recent systematic review, Hughes et al. reported that treatment with clomid is superior to no treatment or placebo (95% CI 1.5-4.65).7

Injectable gonadotropins plus intercourse

This is less extensively studied. However a study by Mascarenhas et al demonstrated that super ovulation with gonadotrophins significantly increased the pregnancy rates in unexplained infertility.8

Injectable gonadotropins (shots of FSH hormone) plus IUI

Several studies showed improved pregnancy success rates with injectable FSH plus IUI treatment as compared to no treatment. A meta-analysis by Hughes9 indicated that FSH plus IUI increases the pregnancy rate by 2.3 times than compared to FSH plus timed ***********.

It is most likely that super ovulation and IUI  both independently increase fertility potential, with relatively more fertility benefit coming from the IUI component.

Assisted reproductive technologies

IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has high success in young women with normal ovarian reserve (normal FSH levels) and unexplained infertility. Most couples with unexplained infertility with a female partner under age of 35 could try about 3 artificial inseminations and if fail to pregnant  it is sensible to have IVF. On the other hand women over 35 years should have been offered IVF as a first line treatment.

GIFT

Gamate intrafallopian transfer goes one step further than superovulation/IUI as it involves the collection of oocytes and ***** into fallopian tubes. The main disadvantage compared to IUI is the need of laparoscopy and more complicated ovarian stimulation regimes. Compared with GIFT the main advantages of IVF are, that being able to study the fertilization, gives the opportunity to transfer best quality embryos to the uterus, and it also gives couple with surplus fertilized oocytes which can be cryo preserved for future use.

A large multi-center randomized study performed by European Society of Human Reproductive and Emryology to compare five treatments for unexplained fertility .The study concluded that there was no significant difference in outcome between them.(super ovulation 15% per cycle, super ovulation 27%,superovulation/IUI 27%,GIFT28%,IVF26%.10

 In summary, strategic management of unexplained infertility should focus on the efficacy of the method ,cost effectiveness and invasiveness of the procedures involved. Evidence suggest that there would be little or no benefit if treatment start in  a woman less than 35 years. Therefore it is worth considering superovulation and/or IUI for 3 cycles after 3 years of infertility, and if not successful go for IVF. However for older women (over 35) to consider IVF straight away.

References

1. Hull MGR, Glazener CMA, Kelly NJ et al.(1985), Population study of causes,

2. Unexplained Infertility

http ;//www.advancedfertility.com/unexplain.ntm( accessed 11/03/2008).

3. Adam, H.B. & Howard, S.J, (2003), Infertility In Practice, Churchill Livingstone, London.

4. Collings JA ( 1989), Natural course of unexplained infertility, Proceedings of the Serono symposium on unexplained infertility : basic and clinical aspects. Serono Aries Publishers, Rome.

5. Glazener CMA, Coulson C, Lambert PA et al, ( 1990), Clomiphene treatement for women with unexplained infertility : placebo-controlled study of hormonal responses and conception rates. Gynecol Endocrinol 4: 75-83

6. Deaton JL, Gibson M, Blackmer KM, Nakajima ST, Badger GJ & Brumsted JR, (1990), A randomized, controlled trial of clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination in couples with unexplained infertility or surgically corrected endometriosis. Fertil Steril 54 : 1083- 1088.

7. Hughes E, Collins J, & Vandekerchhove P (2002),Clomiphene citrate for unexplaine subfertility in women. Cochrane Database of systematic Reviews, Issue 1, 2002.

8. Mascarenhas L, Khastgir G, Davies WAR & Lee S, ( 1994),Superovulation and timed intercourse: can it provide a reasonable alternative  for those unable to afford assisted conception ? Hum Reprod  9: 67 -70

9. Hughes EG (1997), The effectiveness of ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination in the treatment of persistent infertility : a meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 12 : 1865-1872

10. Crosignani PG, Walters DE & Soliani A, (1991), ESHERE multicentre trail on the treatment of unexplained infertility : a preliminary report. Hum Reprod 6: 953-958.



Alice

Smit Mathur asked:


Infertility specialists and fertility management Australia are involved day and night in research and development to discover infertility drugs, which can cure infertility problems of couples. The problem or the cause of infertility can be divided into- 

• Male infertility

• Female infertility 

There are hundreds of reasons behind male and female infertility and their treatment depends upon the type of the problem. Few of the common causes of infertility among men are- 

• Smoking

• Alcohol

• Drugs

• Genetic disorders

• Environmental factors

• Less ***** formation

• Age, etc. 

However reasons behind female infertility are much more complex in nature. Some common female infertility problems are 

• Blockage in fallopian tube

• Uterine fibroid

• Urine infection

• Poor diet and nutrition

• Genetic problem 

The number of causes of infertility are countless and excessive research and tests are done on the patients by the doctors to know the exact reason due to which they are not getting pregnant. Sometimes even after a series of medical tests for infertility, doctors fail to discover or understand the exact reason of their patient’s infertility problem. This condition is medically termed as unexplained infertility problem. This situation is very stressful for the patient and sometimes causes depression in them. In female the cases of unexplained infertility increase with their age say after 35 years of age and above. It has been seen that women who delays their pregnancy treatment for a long period have a low chance of getting pregnant. 

There are a number of treatment procedures available for couples facing infertility problems. Some of the most important ones are 

• IVF treatment and IVF diagnosis

• Natural fertility treatment

• Traditional Chinese medicine

• Surrogate mothers

• Pregnancy treatment

• Infertility acupressure

• Chinese infertility medicine 

Among all these treatments IVF treatment is the most costly and advanced one. Couples who are not able to have a baby through other possible treatments go for IVF treatment and IVF preparation. And we can consider it as the final option of infertility treatment. 

Chinese infertility medicine and herbs have proved beneficial for infertility treatments and their success ratio is approximately70%. Infertility acupuncture treatments are also proving benefit to the patient as it helps them in getting relaxed during the treatment procedure and thus increase their chances of conceiving. You can choose a reputed acupuncture, clinic which specializes in acupuncture pregnancy and infertility acupressure. 

Australia is also a good destination for couples seeking good treatment. Infertility management Australia provides latest technologies and medication for infertility treatment.



Jill

Smit Mathur asked:


Acupuncture is actually a Chinese infertility medicine or some also say it Chinese acupuncture medicine that involves nonstop pains from pricking of needles. However, the perception made on acupuncture for its “not-so-effective” and painful nature is not correct, as it offers absolute relaxation and even cures from unexplained infertility.

Acupuncture seeks its origin from China, and is based on the belief of Chinese people and their methods. The Chinese people immensely believe in energy concept and its relation with body, and assume a balanced flow of energy all through the body to remain healthy. They also believe that any obstacle in the flow of that energy leads to inflammations, and it consequently paves way to ruthless pains and numerous types of diseases in the body.

It’s believed that energy stream through the meridian points, thus acupuncture puts in needles in diverse parts of the body for smooth flow of energy. Inserting needles this way unblocks the energy points, and offers comfort from particular type of disease.

The infertility treatment of this nature tends to give different results for individuals and depends from person to person. For not being the natural fertility remedy, people have some misconceptions for infertility acupuncture. It is always suggested to know the right acupuncture fertility treatment and ways of acupuncture pregnancy by visiting an acupuncture clinic.

To solve infertility problem of any nature, like male infertility, female infertility or even unexplained infertility, you should visit the doctor for having the acupuncture method meant to treat you in the best possible way. Acupuncture can give you relief from all your problems like low ***** count, bad quality egg, miscarriage et al.

Acupuncture brings fine results for those who have tried lots of infertility drugs with no any effective results. The therapy also goes down well with those not willing to be treated by infertility specialists at high-end cost.

Auricular, electrified or manual treatments are there in acupuncture for infertility treatment. Electrified uses electric needles while the auricular treatment makes use of needles’ pricking in the ears and earlobes for female infertility. One of the herbal medicines from China, Hachimijiogan also works wonder as an acupuncture infertility treatment. The herb lessens serum prolactin level and leads to normal ovulatory cycle and pregnancy.

Overall, acupuncture infertility is a secure, simple, trustworthy and unproblematic method with almost no pains that also assures fast relief from infertility. The remedy involves the same inserting of needles in the eyebrows, earlobes, ears, eyelids and tips of the fingers. After the treatment, a relaxation period for 30 to 45 minutes follows, and such 3-4 regular sessions do wonder to your infertility problem.



Allan

Low Jeremy asked:


As complicated as infertility may get, we may find that it can present no real symptoms that will help clear the condition of a couple who are incapable of conception. When this is the case, doctors may diagnose “unexplained infertility”.

There are many factors that will relate how a woman develops infertility. While it is prevalent among Americans, no data can truly present the actual intensity or prevalence of this condition. However, this is not often the case. The majority of causes do not fall on the “catch-all”. Thirty percent of which may be duly caused by the female factor while another 30% can be attributed to several male problems. The remaining thirty therefore takes up the unexplained infertility or the combination of both factors.

So what truly cause female infertility?

For one, we may safely presume that 15% of all female factors is covered under the structural issues. These normally refer to issues that cover the anatomy of the woman. Thus, it may either be a problem on the fallopian tube or the cervix or fibroid may be found in the uterus.

Blocked fallopian tube is the result of previous endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Among these factors may be shared by troubles caused via surgeries or medications. A surgery may lead to the disruption of cervix while DES exposure may affect the woman even while she still was a fetus herself.

While surgical intervention may solve the majority of such cases, some women still have to undergo specialized medical procedures and treatments to help solve infertility. Mechanical issues, on the other hand, deal with blockage of the fallopian tube due to the formation of scars. This accounts for some 25% to 40% of all female infertility causes.

Thirty percent of female issues may be contributed by ovulation problems. This may either be the product of complete ovulation difficulty or merely the untimely detection of ovulation. Restoration of the ovarian function may be helped with complete evaluation of the cause and eventual medication treatment.

Aging is inevitable. But with this comes the problem on infertility. As the woman ages, the quality of her egg cells may decline along with their potency. This condition is normally worse during the age when almost all egg cells were already released. Again, as thirty percent of all problems are either founded on unknown causes or may be the mixture of both the male and female factors, female infertility may simply be attributed to unknown or multi-factorial causes.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID

This is presumed to be the most common cause of infertility. This arises from internal infections that are caused by bacteria penetrating into the internal reproductive organs of a female. The typical organs affected are those surrounding the pelvic area but when aggravated, infections may also radiate into the neighboring intestines. Infertility associated with PID is definite if the portion affected is the fallopian tube, a condition that is medically termed as salpingitis.

Endometriosis

According to data gathered from medical literature, nearly 30% of all infertility cases in women is covered by this condition. This is characterized with the presence of the endometrial tissue in parts other than the uterus. This tissue is the one women discharge during menstrual cycle.

Having this condition however does not actually suggest the likelihood of being unable to conceive. But it may largely contribute to the development of the disease

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

This is the condition characterized by the over-production of androgens in the female’s system. This occurrence will drive the lowering in the release of other hormones such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone which will eventually caused the stoppage of mature egg production.

Early Menopause or Premature Ovarian Failure

This is the premature depletion of follicles in women during ages prior to her 40th years. This is characterized by long periods of irregular menstrual flow. This condition is very much comparable with true menopause since both impede a woman to produce eggs.

Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

This is rarely the case among infertile women. This is identified when there is ‘no’ production of LH and FSH. Thus, the impossibility of developing egg cells. There are actually no physical symptoms that will help conclude the presence of this condition. Most cases of Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism fall under unknown infertility cases.



Kenneth

Low Jeremy asked:


A medical problem that has plagued couples from a generation to the succeeding ones. There is too less mystery involved in infertility. Nevertheless, there are still areas that need polishing such as with the case of unexplained infertility.

Infertility is normally diagnosed if a couple is not able to produce a single pregnancy in a span of a year given that they commit sexual *********** that is unprotected. It may either be that the male participant is infertile or the female. Condition may be permanent and irreversible. However, there are cases when infertility is remedied by means of surgical intervention, medication and natural methods that promote fertility.

If you are wondering why infertility seems to cling into many couples, then let us understand that infertility is a three-part problem. One part being equal to the other two. All shared by the three factors namely, problems with the male participant, the female participant and the third portion is either distribute between the two former factors or unexplained, even by the vast knowledge science holds.

While infertility is mainly focused on medical issues, it is psychologically devastating as well. It forms a struggle between the willingness of the couple to undergo certain procedures to be able to promote fertility. It also creates stress on the relationship. Thus, it may eventually dissolve a good relationship.

These issues aside, we can presume that it is also physically distressing. It is taxing to endure examinations and physical tests on a yearly, monthly and even daily basis. Daily injections may even be required. Medications may cause both subtle and obvious side effects that may alter the normal life of the couple enduring them. Surgery, on the other hand, is often required and sometimes infertile couples have to undergo several procedures without the absolute assurance that those will work.

As these processes continue, the couple’s privacy will become very limited to them alone, sometimes even personal privacy is invaded. They have to learn to discard their own emotions for the sake of producing a pregnancy. They have to forget their own feelings of shame and fatigue as they lie on the examining table, have some fluid and give sperms or egg cells for the 8th, 10, 15th and so times. A vacation would do, yes, even for a month. Just to let the couples rest. However, with every day that passes and every procedure failed, the chance of conceiving a child is getting less and less feasible.

It is truly an alternative medicine only for the reason that it is not based on western knowledge. If this is our basis of categorizing what is effective medicine and what is not, it would be a bit unfair for all oriental medical methods that work. Though not all quick fixes are convincing and real, acupuncture may be one of the selected few that really creates satisfying and immediate results.

Not only does acupuncture when used in conjunction with other infertility methods effective, it may also induce relaxation and absence of pain throughout the procedures. The main principle standing in methods used in acupuncture is the release of energy blockages in certain parts of the body. Energy must flow and it must flow well. If there is any clog that will affect its smooth travel to the body, the only option to unleash them is the insertion of needles in specific points where energy is particularly blocked thus the occurrence of certain diseases.

A close look at acupuncture treatment will reveal that each plan for treatment is different from the next. This is because patients posses varying physical problems that must be addressed accordingly. A consensus among practitioners and patients maintains that acupuncture works at its optimum when all other means were already completed but in vain. Acupuncture for infertility is also ideal for couples who would not want taxing themselves financially with more extensive treatments such as those that require a number of physical examinations, tests and even surgeries.

This also works best for patients suffering from specific diseases such as irregular ovulation for women and ***** duct blockage. Acupuncture treatment for infertility may come in three techniques namely manual, electrified and auricular. Electrified method means the use of electric needles to clear the passages of energy. Auricular method, on the other hand, entails the use of pricking the earlobes and the ears so as to clear hormonal disorders especially in women.

While many may claim that acupuncture for infertility is a cure, it would still be safe to say that it is an important part of any treatment conducted to infertile couples.



Ricky

xskullandbowsx asked:


I’m only 18 and not planning on having children for years, but I was wondering how likely it is to experience unexplained infertility if it runs in your family? My mom had my brother when she was 27/28 and my parents had wanted to have another child within the next year or so but it didn’t happen. They both had alot of testing and the doctors ruled they were perfectly healthy and it was unexplained infertility. However, she was able to get pregnant later somehow and had me at 35. Her sister had three children no problem.

Glen

Bruce Scott Dwyer asked:


There are many dire diseases associated with celiac disease however none are so insidious as its effect on fertility. While other diseases manifest themselves with observable symptoms, infertility is the absence of something (pregnancy) that until recently could not be proved or even inferred. While the information quoted below is not definitive, it strongly suggests that untreated CD can increase infertility and that maintaining a strict gluten free diet can massively reduce infertility effects. 

The effects on pregnancy are better defined and are discussed at the end of this article.

CD FEMALE FERTILITY

The papers on celiac disease and infertility seem to quote the same statistics, which since 2000 all retain the same positive message. That is, If you are celiac, you must maintain your gluten free diet while attempting pregnancy and once successful, during pregnancy. The only extra advice is to replace the vitamins and minerals that you may be missing by excluding gluten grains from your diet.

The reason for maintaining a gluten free diet during attempts at conception are that it is believed that Infertility and miscarriage in celiacs are caused by mal-absorption affects – due to the body’s inability to absorb the nutrients required conceive and then carry a healthy baby. In fact studies have shown that “the incidence of celiac disease in women with unexplained infertility has been estimated at four to eight percent” (ref 1)

Researchers also found that “CD women who were not on the gluten-free diet started their menstrual cycle up to a year and a half later than women with celiac disease who were following the diet. In addition, researchers found that up to 39% of women not on the gluten free diet experienced periods of amenorrhea (irregular periods), compared to only nine percent of CD women who were on the gluten-free diet. Women with celiac disease who were not on the gluten-free diet were found to enter menopause four to five years earlier than women with celiac disease who were on the diet. (ref 1)

“Researchers who have studied women with infertility have found that they test positive for celiac disease-related antibodies at a rate that is ten-fold higher than the normal population.” (ref 1). It is noted that many of these ‘infertile’ women often go onto delivering healthy babies, assisted by eating a strict gluten free diet.

“Celiac disease and infertility causes the menstrual cycle to be an on again off again thing. Unfortunately, under those conditions, it may take longer to become pregnant, if at all, since a gluten free diet may bring on the menstrual cycle earlier and menopause earlier.” (ref 2)

While none of this data proves that celiac disease causes infertility, it strongly suggests that people diagnosed as celiacs are likely to have more difficulty conceiving and they can massively improve their chances when observing a strict gluten free diet.

CD MALE FERTILITY

“A Male CD person has a greater risk of infertility and other reproductive disturbances, as well as a greater incidence of hypoandrogenism.” (ref 4) This medical condition means a deficiency of androgens in the body that leads to a lack of virility and sexual potency.

“As regards nutritional aspects, the folic acid deficiency of CD can affect rapidly proliferating tissues, such as the embryo and the seminiferous epithelium. More attention should be paid to deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A and E, observed in CD. Vitamin A is important for Sertoli cell function as well as for early spermatogenetic phases. Vitamin E supports the correct differentiation and function of epidydimal epithelium, spermatid maturation and secretion of proteins by the prostate. Therefore, CD male patients should be considered as vulnerable subjects” (ref 4).  

The practical conclusion of this is that just as CD has a profound effect on women’s fertility, it has a similar effect on male fertility via the quality of their sperm. Again a gluten free diet is the only viable ‘fix’ for infertility issues for males who experience unexplained infertility. 

PREGNANCY

The adverse effects of CD are equally devastating on pregnancy, though as for conception, celiacs pregnancies can be restored to near normal by following a gluten free diet. Rather than ‘gild the lily’ I will simply quote the known statistics below:

“In a study of 25 patients and 60 pregnancies of CD women, researchers found that 21% of women who were not on the gluten-free diet experienced pregnancy loss, and 16% of women experienced fetal growth restriction”. (ref 5)

“In a large Danish study with 211 infants and 127 mothers with celiac disease, researchers found that the mean birth weight of children born to mothers on a gluten-containing diet was significantly lower than babies born to mothers without celiac disease. Interestingly, this same study determined that women on the gluten-free diet gave birth to children weighing more than those born to mothers without celiac disease!” In a case-control study that looked at the effect of the gluten-free diet on pregnancy and lactation, investigators learned that women with celiac disease who were not on the gluten-free diet experienced pregnancy loss at a rate of 17.8%, compared to 2.4% of women with celiac disease who were on the gluten-free diet.

“in a group of women with celiac disease who had been pregnant more than once, researchers looked at the effect of the gluten-free diet on their future pregnancies. They concluded that the institution of the gluten-free diet upon diagnosis caused a relative 35.6% drop in pregnancy loss, 29.4% drop in low-birth weight babies and an increase of two and a half months of breastfeeding.” (ref 5)

As you can readily see, celiac disease, caused by eating grains that include gluten, has far reaching effects regarding inhibiting reproduction. If you have any of the symptoms (discussed on the site in the ref box), it is a relatively simple process to get yourself checked out. Unexplained infertility is a growing subset of the reason people can not have children. If you think you have some of the symptoms, as well as infertility, there are several non invasive tests you can try before going the IVF path.

REFERENCES

1    http://www.maleinfertilitysolutions.com/celiac-disease-and-infertility.php

2    http://celiac-disease.com/how-does-celiac-disease-cause-infertility/

3    http://health.bloodyhealth.com/medicines-and-remedies/infertility-and-celiacrsquos-disease-the-warning-signs/



Fernando