If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s important to talk to a qualified urologist about whether your fertility is affected by the condition.
There already is extensive medical research showing a link between celiac disease and female infertility. A few studies show that celiac disease – a disease characterized by the significant sensitivity to gluten – may be linked to male infertility as well.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It can cause your small intestine to react in a negative way – way beyond just a stomachache. If left untreated, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease can cause long-term effects and severe damage to your digestive system. It can damage the lining of your small intestine, which can inhibit absorption of essential nutrients.
What symptoms should you be concerned by? Well, if you have diarrhea, are fatigued, experience bloating or weight loss, speak to a doctor immediately, as these could be signs of damage to your small intestine.
How Celiac Disease May Affect a Man’s Reproductive System
Doctors have reason to believe that men with undiagnosed celiac disease also have higher rates of abnormal sperm and hormone levels, making it difficult to get your partner pregnant.
Experts have also cited that in cased of undiagnosed celiac disease, male patients have also experienced androgen resistance, which means that the body doesn’t respond to testosterone. Experts believe this could be due to a disruption of the endocrine system, causing a whole host of other issues for male patients.
The same studies, however, report that patients that experienced these issues saw improvement in their sperm count and overall hormonal health after being diagnosed with celiac disease. This may be the result of making changes to combat the gluten intolerance such as adopting a gluten-free lifestyle.
If you suspect your digestive issues could be related to celiac disease, try adopting a temporary gluten-free diet to see if you notice a difference in your overall health. A trip to the doctor can tell you whether your fertility is improved by a simple lifestyle change.
To explore all your options when dealing with possible infertility, speak to the experts at Ironwood Urology of Phoenix, Arizona. Call Dr. Desiderio Avila today at (480) 961-2323 to schedule your first visit.
