Diabetes and Female Fertility | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital & Ruchi Test Tube Baby Centre

Diabetes and Female Fertility | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital & Ruchi Test Tube Baby Centre 

Diabetes is associated with lower rates of fertility.
There are a number of reasons which can play a part including, obesity, being underweight, having diabetic complications, having PCOS and having an autoimmune disease. Many women with diabetes are able to conceive, particularly if diabetes is well controlled and a healthy body weight is maintained.

Conditions:

The following conditions are associated with reduced fertility rates:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Oligomenorrhea (irregular periods)
Miscarriage

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common condition in which a large number of cysts develop on the ovaries.
Whilst this feature does not in itself pose a health risk, it can reduce fertility. Women with PCOS have higher than normal levels of testosterone (hyperandrogenism).

PCOS can affect fertility by leading to irregular periods (oligomenorrhea) or absent periods (secondary amenorrhea). The condition can be treated through making lifestyle changes, while medications such as clomifene and metformin can help with improving the chances of conception.
PCOS is particularly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes that are taking high amounts of insulin daily may also be at risk of or suffer from PCOS.

            Oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea

Oligomenorrhea is the term for irregular periods that arrive at intervals of 35 days or more between each period.
Secondary amenorrhea is said to occur if you have previously had a normal menstrual cycle but have stopped getting a periods for 6 months or longer. It was explained by Dr Rama Sofat.

Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are associated with increased risks of late and absent periods (oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea).

PCOS and obesity can contribute to these conditions and so can being underweight, 
with women going through diabulimia at particular risk.
Endometrial cancer (uterine cancer)
Endometrial cancer, which is more common in women with type 2 diabetes and PCOS, 
can lead to infertility if the cancer is not diagnosed and treated at an earlier enough stage.

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is more likely as a result of diabetes, particularly if diabetes is not well controlled before or during the pregnancy.