Diabetes & Fertility: Should You Be Concerned?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a baby, even after a year of regular unprotected sex. 

The cases of infertility are continuously increasing in the world, for both men and women. Researchers have identified many causes of infertility, one of them being diabetes. According to many studies, if one or more partners have diabetes, the risk of infertility is likely to be higher.   

How Can Diabetes Affect Fertility?

If diabetes is not well-controlled, meaning that the blood sugar levels are not regulated, you may experience many health problems that may contribute to infertility. Some of these problems that can arise due to diabetes include:

• irregular or absent menstrual cycles 
• erection problems  
• low levels of testosterone
• increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, and
• higher risk of the baby needing intensive care after birth

Therefore, it is essential to control your blood sugar levels if you wish to conceive a baby. Well-regulated blood sugar levels help make menstrual cycles become more regular, reduce the risk of erection problems, increase testosterone levels in males, improve libido, and lower the risk of miscarriage, congenital disorder, stillbirth and neonatal death. 

Can You Treat Infertility?

In most cases, you can treat infertility. However, if you want to get the right treatment, it is essential to diagnose the exact cause of infertility. For this, you must go to your doctor as a couple. Your doctor will then ask you a few questions and run some specific tests to identify the problem. 

The tests for women may include blood tests, ultrasound scans, etc. For men, these tests may constitute a physical examination to check for problems in the penis or testicles, semen analysis, etc. 

You will also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia, that can affect your fertility. 

What Can You Do On Your End?

Controlling diabetes can help improve your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving a baby. To manage your diabetes well, make sure that you regularly monitor your blood sugar levels, eat a healthy diet, exercise every day, control your body weight, reduce stress and quit smoking. You also need to take your diabetes medication on time.    

The Bottom Line

If you have diabetes, the risk of infertility increases, causing a hindrance in your efforts to conceive a baby. However, you do not need to worry. In most cases, infertility can be treated. Your doctor needs to identify the exact cause of infertility and treat it accordingly. On your end, you can start managing your diabetes well. If your diabetes is under control, your fertility will improve, and so will the chances of conceiving a baby. 

References

• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pregnancy-complications/fertility-and-diabetes.html
• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pregnancy-complications/infertility-in-women.html
• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pregnancy-complications/infertility-in-men.html
• https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/health-medical/diabetes
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814953/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19863473/