There have been a handful of studies conducted on the correlation between undiagnosed celiac disease and unexplained infertility. The most recent study came out of the Center for Women's Reproductive Care and Center at Columbia University. What the researchers found was supportive of previous data–showing that a small, but statistically significant–number of women with unexplained infertility have undiagnosed celiac disease. The Columbia research team had 188 women, between the ages of 25-39 volunteer to participate in the study. Each women had blood tests for celiac disease (specifically they were tested for: tissue transglutaminase (tTG IgA) and endomysial antibodies (EMA IgA)).

The results showed that 2.1% (aka four of the 188) of the patients enrolled in the study were diagnosed with celiac disease. Yet, upon further analysis of a subgroup of women with unexplained fertility revealed a celiac disease prevalence of 5.9%.

That may sound like small potatoes to you, but really it isnt. 6 out of 100 women who are suffering with unexplained infertility have undiagnosed celiac disease which can significantly affect their ability to conceive.

If you are dealing with infertility and can't seem to make sense of it– have your doctor test you for celiac disease. I'd also like to add that even those women who are dealing with infertility–who have been tested for and do not have celiac disease–seem to benefit from removing gluten from their diet as gluten is a very inflammatory substance that can disrupt hormone synthesis and overall health. Keep your eye out for a future blog diving deeper into this subject matter.