Discover the silent diseases that prevent you from getting pregnant

Although common, some diseases go unnoticed and may be the cause of difficulty conceiving a baby.

If you have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year without success, it is time to consult a human reproductive specialist. This is because the reasons why some couples are unable to conceive a child on their own are multiple and only with a thorough evaluation will the doctor be able to correctly diagnose the problem and personalize the treatment plan.

Infertility can also be caused by serious diseases that often go unnoticed, according to Fernando Prado, obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in human reproduction, member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and clinical director of the hospital NeoVita.

Diabetes

Conditions that cause an increase in blood sugar levels, known generically as diabetes, can, in addition to causing a series of consequences for the body’s health, compromise fertility and even lead to gestational complications.

“But the disease is often silent. The main symptoms include unexplained tiredness, excessive hunger and thirst, weight loss (in the case of type 1 diabetes), weight gain (type 2 diabetes), constant need to urinate, and constant infections. So the ideal is to have an annual check-up visit to the doctor, with blood tests,” says the doctor.

Although they are different, both type 1 diabetes, characterized by a deficiency in insulin production, and type 2 diabetes, in which there is resistance to the action of insulin, can interfere with fertility and make it difficult to conceive a child .

“Type 2 is the most common in terms of incidence and is linked to a hormone deficiency in women, as well as irregular menstrual cycles, which can promote infertility. In fact, hormones are out of balance, so the lower the action of insulin, the greater the production of male hormones. In the case of type 1, endocrine organs such as the ovaries can be damaged, which can also make pregnancy impossible. But in both cases, control of the disease is essential to increase the chances of pregnancy,” underlines Fernando.

According to the expert, in men, uncontrolled levels of insulin in diabetic patients can alter testosterone levels, reducing them, which makes it difficult for sperm production and maturation.

“In addition, there may be a significant reduction in sperm volume, worsening of sperm motility, difficulty in fertilization and the formation of a poorly formed embryo due to sperm with fragmented DNA, which increases the risk of miscarriage. There are cases of ejaculation dysfunction, in which part of the sperm contained in the semen are released into the bladder instead of exiting through the urethra, which makes fertilization even more difficult,” explains the doctor.

Therefore, pharmacological control of the disease combined with new lifestyle habits constitutes a relationship of fundamental importance to increase the chances of pregnancy – and have better health in general. “The earlier it is treated, the lower the chance of developing metabolic problems and the higher the chance of pregnancy,” he says.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another problem that, in many cases, goes unnoticed and undiagnosed, which, in addition to affecting fertility, can harm your health, being associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, in addition to risk of endometrial cancer.

“With no specific cause established, PCOS occurs when, due to an increase in the production of male hormones in a woman, the ovulation process is interfered with, which can lead to the formation of cysts in the ovaries and the delay or interruption of menstruation due to failure to ovulate, which hampers the chances of a natural pregnancy,” explains the doctor.

It is therefore essential to pay attention to the symptoms and execute queries regular visits to the gynecologist. “In addition to delayed or stopped periods and difficulty getting pregnant, the person suffering from PCOS may notice other symptoms, such as weight gain, growth of body hair, acne, inflammation and insulin resistance” , underlines Fernando Prado outside.

Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor will be able to recommend useful strategies to control the symptoms based on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of each woman, including whether or not she wishes to get pregnant, such as lifestyle changes and drug therapy with pills. .contraceptives to regulate menstruation.

“If a woman wants to get pregnant, we can also recommend the use of ovulation inducers. Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that egg freezing is a great option for women with PCOS who wish to get pregnant in the future since, due to the characteristics of the disease, they produce a large number of good quality eggs and have to undergo less cycles of ovarian stimulation and collection to obtain the desired number of oocytes to be frozen and subsequent fertilization”, underlines the doctor.

Endometriosis

Being among the main causes of female infertility, endometriosis is not particularly silent, but, in most cases, it goes unnoticed because its main symptom, the characteristic intense pelvic pain, is confused with menstrual cramps, which delays the diagnosis.

“It is an inflammatory disease that occurs when the cells of the endometrium, the tissue that lines the internal wall of the uterus, instead of being eliminated during menstruation, move in the opposite direction, settling inside the abdomen. And since these cells spread throughout the reproductive system, making the transition from fertilization of the egg to implantation of the embryo difficult, the fertility of women with endometriosis is compromised,” explains the doctor.

Therefore, it is essential that women who have difficulty getting pregnant are very alert to the possibility of endometriosis, especially when they notice the presence of severe pelvic pain.

«Fortunately, endometriosis can be treated, which generally involves the use of contraceptive pills, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and surgery. But treatment is not always definitive and only works to relieve symptoms and control outbreaks of the disease. Soon the symptoms and difficulty getting pregnant may return. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor specialized in human reproduction, who will be able to indicate the best treatment for each case, including assisted reproduction procedures, such as in vitro fertilization,” adds Fernando Prado.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.