How Diabetes Impact Fertility: The Hidden Risk of a Common Health Condition
The number of diabetic patients keeps increasing worldwide, including in India. National Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Survey report in 2019 suggests that the prevalence of diabetes in India has remained at 11.8% in the last four years, with an estimate of more than 77 million individuals living with diabetes as of 2022.
Diabetes is a condition wherein the pancreas does not make enough insulin (Type I diabetes), or the insulin produced does not work as it should (Type 2 diabetes).
Diabetes can be caused by several factors, such as modern lifestyle, western diet, high blood pressure, unhealthy food choices, high cholesterol levels, obesity, and a family history of diabetes.
Most common symptoms of Diabetes
Depending on the type of infertility, you may experience certain signs & symptoms. People may not have symptoms, especially if they have type 2 diabetes. However, in type 1 diabetes, you may quickly notice:
While diabetes leads to increased blood sugar levels that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. But despite that, most people are unaware of another hidden danger of this common condition, and it’s the relationship between Diabetes & Fertility.
Diabetes Associate with Lower Fertility:
Yes, if you have diabetes, you may not realize how it can impact your fertility. The hidden danger of this common condition is that it can lead to reproductive problems. Diabetes can cause hormone imbalances, making it difficult to conceive.
It can also damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the embryo, resulting in a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
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Diabetes & Fertility
If you have diabetes, it may impact your fertility in several ways: For starters, uncontrolled diabetes can damage the blood vessels that supply the ovaries, which can then affect ovarian function and decrease egg quality.
In addition, having diabetes may also increase the risk for a woman to experience PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). This condition affects around 10% of women and is one of the leading causes of infertility. PCOS is characterized by enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges, often resulting in hormonal imbalances.
Research also shows that diabetes can be responsible for reduced sperm quality in men causing difficulty conceiving.
What can be done?
The good news is blood sugar levels can be managed. However, diabetes is something that you can not control all alone. You need to consult a doctor to plan a diet and get the right information.
This may also involve choosing a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy nutritional food, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and monitoring blood sugar levels.
Controlled blood glucose levels will help regulate the menstrual cycle, increase sperm & egg quality, and reduce the risk of miscarriage and congenital disorders.
If you have diabetes and are planning on starting a family, you must speak with your doctor about how to best manage your condition. With proper treatment, many women with diabetes can have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies.