Dr. Sam Madeira, NMDIf you’ve been trying to have a baby without success, celiac disease may be quietly standing in the way. It may be hard to believe, but this gut condition is linked to fertility problems in both women and men.
What celiac disease is
Celiac disease isn’t a food allergy. It’s an abnormal immune response to gluten, the protein in wheat, barley and rye, that damages the lining of the small intestine.1 A damaged gut can’t absorb nutrients well, and over time that can affect far more than digestion.
According to the NIH, celiac disease can cause reproductive problems in women, including infertility and repeated miscarriages, as well as infertility in men.1
Why celiac disease and fertility are connected
The exact reasons aren’t fully understood, but one of the most likely is nutrition. When the small intestine can’t absorb the nutrients you eat, your body may not get what it needs to make hormones, ovulate, produce healthy sperm and carry a pregnancy.
Women with untreated celiac disease may notice irregular periods: cycles that disappear for months, or frequent bleeding. Irregular periods can be a sign that ovulation isn’t happening regularly, which makes it harder to conceive. Anemia from poor iron absorption is common too.
The link shows up in research. A review of 23 studies found that women with infertility were about three times as likely to have celiac disease as women without fertility problems.2 The authors called for larger studies before making firm screening recommendations, but the pattern is consistent.
The good news
Celiac disease is treatable. For most people, a strict gluten-free diet lets the gut heal, and symptoms often improve and may go away.1 That’s why it’s worth getting your celiac disease under control before trying to conceive: you give yourself the best chance of starting from a healthy body.
- Get tested before you go gluten-free. Celiac blood tests and biopsies need gluten in your diet to be accurate, so talk with your doctor before cutting it out.
- Mention it if fertility has been a struggle. If you’ve had unexplained infertility, repeated miscarriages, anemia or gut symptoms, ask your doctor whether celiac testing makes sense.
- Work with your healthcare team. Going truly gluten-free is harder than it sounds at first, and some people need medical treatment and nutrient repletion along with the diet. If you have celiac disease and are trying to conceive, let your doctor and your obstetric provider know.
Celiac disease and fertility problems can go hand in hand. With the right diagnosis and care, you can give yourself the healthiest possible start.
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This article is general education, not medical advice, and does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Talk with your own doctor before changing your diet, supplements or medications.