Unexplained infertility: Think of Undiagnosed Celiac disease
In their Clinical Review "Management of infertility", Balen AH et al
do not mention celiac disease as a possible underlying cause of
unexplained infertility.
Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of celiac disease among
infertile women (4% to 8%) compared with the general population (<1%).
Gluten-free diet could be the only treatment needed in some women
with unexplained infertility.
Thus, all women with unexplained infertility should be screened for celiac
disease before subjecting them to expensive and more invasive tests and
interventions.
References:
1. Jackson JE, Rosen M, McLean T, Moro J, Croughan M, Cedars
MI.
Prevalence of celiac disease in a cohort of women with
unexplained infertility.
Fertil Steril. 2007 Jul 25
2. Pellicano R, Astegiano M, Bruno M, Fagoonee S, Rizzetto
M.
Women and celiac disease: association with unexplained
Rapid Response:
Unexplained infertility: Think of Undiagnosed Celiac disease
In their Clinical Review "Management of infertility", Balen AH et al do not mention celiac disease as a possible underlying cause of unexplained infertility. Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of celiac disease among infertile women (4% to 8%) compared with the general population (<1%).
Gluten-free diet could be the only treatment needed in some women with unexplained infertility. Thus, all women with unexplained infertility should be screened for celiac disease before subjecting them to expensive and more invasive tests and interventions.
References:
1. Jackson JE, Rosen M, McLean T, Moro J, Croughan M, Cedars
MI.
Prevalence of celiac disease in a cohort of women with
unexplained infertility.
Fertil Steril. 2007 Jul 25
2. Pellicano R, Astegiano M, Bruno M, Fagoonee S, Rizzetto
M.
Women and celiac disease: association with unexplained
infertility.
Minerva Med. 2007 Jun;98(3):217-9
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests