Diabetes affects millions of people all around the world. According to the WHO, there are more than 180 million people worldwide with diabetes. This number would double by 2030. Just like diabetes affects male fertility, it has a strong impact on female infertility as well. However, there are many diabetic women who are able to conceive, especially those who manage their diabetes, body weight, and lifestyle properly. Diabetes doesn’t have a direct connection with infertility in men and women. However, the specific conditions caused by diabetes affect women’s fertility. In women, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are connected to menstrual irregularities and lower fertility rates. The reproductive phase of a diabetic woman is considered to be shorter than that of a non-diabetic woman. This can lead to significant problems in conceiving.
Today, due to changing diets and lifestyles, there is a huge increase in the number of young women developing diabetes during their reproductive years. When a woman has type 1 diabetes, menstruation stops in most cases. Research shows that only a small percent of the women affected by type 1 diabetes are capable of conceiving. Though treatment can bring back menstruation in such women, irregular periods cannot be successfully treated. With controlled insulin levels, one can find ways of improving fertility rates. In the case of type-2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, which has now begun to develop even among young women due to lifestyle modifications and food habits (it is common only in the age group of 45 and above), the fertility rates are negatively impacted. This has led to the reduction of fertile years and the early progression of menopause. Hormonal imbalance and diabetes in women pave the way to PCOS. Obesity is one of the factors that cause both PCOS and diabetes. With proper healthcare, women can become pregnant with diabetes mellitus.
Some of the common fertility issues that women with diabetes face are:
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
It is a hormonal disorder associated with infertility, ovarian dysfunction, obesity, and hypertension, and it is a common condition that causes many cysts to develop on the ovaries. PCOS is mainly associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity. PCOS can reduce fertility as women with PCOS have more than the required levels of testosterone (hyperandrogenism). It causes absent periods (secondary amenorrhea) or irregular periods (oligomenorrhea). PCOS can be treated by using proper medication. Making lifestyle changes will also help to bring PCOS under control. Medications like Metformin and Clomifene can be helpful to improve the possibility of conception. People with type 1 diabetes who take large quantities of insulin every day may also suffer from or be at risk of PCOS.
Premature Menopause
Premature menopause, also called premature ovarian failure, happens when a woman stops getting her periods before the age of 40. Type 1 diabetes is generally associated with a higher risk of menstrual problems in women, including premature menopause.
Endometrial Cancer (Uterine Cancer)
Endometrial cancer is more common in women who have PCOS or type 2 diabetes. It can lead to fertility issues in women if the cancer is not diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
Miscarriage
Abnormal blood sugar levels and poorly treated diabetes are known to be the major reasons for miscarriage happening in women. To minimise the risk of miscarriage, diabetic women should start treatment at an early stage.
Macrosomia
High birth weight is one of the major issues faced by pregnant women with diabetes. The risk of macrosomia can be reduced by controlling sugar intake by maintaining a healthy diet and seeking insulin-regulating medication after regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, then it is advisable to get counselling from a nutritionist to help them follow the right food habits to keep diabetes under control. Following a healthy diet is especially beneficial if you have diabetes and are trying to conceive. Regular health checkups can help diagnose fertility and other health issues and give direction on timely treatment measures.
Microvascular And Cardiovascular Complications
Studies have revealed that women with type 1 diabetes who have complications of diabetes like cardiovascular complications and microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy) experience much lower rates of fertility. Hence, getting adequate health care is inevitable.
If you have diabetes and want to get pregnant, make sure you take proper care of your blood sugar levels. Higher glucose levels can only increase a child’s risk of diabetes. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, one must control diabetes and seek the best treatment for proper conception.
When it comes to infertility, do not compromise on quality. As the Best Infertility Treatment Hospital, you will get professional assistance in all pregnancy-related treatments from Goodwill IVF Treatment Center in Calicut. We will provide you with better treatments, help you overcome your fertility-related challenges, and help you successfully achieve pregnancy.
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