Diabetes is a medical condition where the body is incapable of making optimal insulin or is resistant to insulin. It is a chronic illness that impacts various processes, including reproduction. The processes and hormones that regulate blood sugar can also disrupt egg and sperm production and decrease their overall quality or viability. This disruption directly impacts fertility with regard to embryo implantation and conception. Plus, fluctuations in blood sugar levels can affect the libido of people, which in affects conception. It is important to note that fertility issues plague both diabetic men and women. Understanding the risks of high blood glucose levels is crucial to safeguarding the health of both parents and their future children.
Type 1 Diabetes: This is a type of diabetes where the body is unable to produce insulin and may need injections to survive.
Type 2 Diabetes: This is one of the most common diabetes types, and the body cannot utilise insulin effectively, affecting the blood sugar levels and various other body functions. Type 2 diabetes needs regulation and close management.
Gestational Diabetes: This is a diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. In this condition, the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the demands of pregnancy. It has no impact on fertility and resolves after childbirth.
The typical signs and symptoms of diabetes are:
● Unexplained weight loss
● Fatigue
● Frequent urination
● Excessive thirst
● Numbness or tingling sensation
● Infections
● Blurred vision
If diabetes is poorly managed or left untreated, it can lead to many serious health issues, including fertility issues.
Blood glucose and male fertility are interconnected. Men with diabetes may experience erectile dysfunction, which can lead to difficulties in conception. Plus, the blood sugar level fluctuations and insulin resistance affect testosterone levels, thus causing low sperm quality and count. Studies also indicate that diabetes causes more oxidative stress and damages sperm DNA, potentially affecting fertility and the baby’s health.
Many factors are linked with diabetes, which makes it a challenge to get pregnant. This includes diabetic complications like PCOS, being underweight, obesity, and autoimmune disease. Diabetic women have a greater chance of having absent or irregular periods, premature menopause, PCOS, and endometrial cancer, which may harm reproductive health. Type 2 diabetes in women results in a failure to ovulate and also a decreased time frame in fertility.
The primary approach to treating fertility issues caused by diabetes is to focus on managing blood sugar levels. The treatment depends on the health condition and the type of diabetes. Some of the common recommendations are:
Disease management: This includes dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, monitoring blood sugar levels, and regular exercise. Insulin therapy is the best treatment for type 1 diabetes, while oral medications or insulin injections are prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women with diabetes should ensure their glucose levels are optimal, as high blood sugar increases complications and risks for both the baby and the mother.
Weight management: For those with diabetes due to obesity, maintaining a healthy weight increases the odds of fertility. Weight loss through exercise and a balanced diet can optimise hormone levels and enhance the conception chances.
Antioxidant supplementation: Diabetes causes oxidative stress to reproductive cells. Including antioxidants reduces this damage to the cells and also boosts egg health in women and sperm quality in men.
Even after following the above recommendations, if conception remains a challenge, then it is best to consult a fertility specialist. If the cause of fertility issues is identified, there is a good chance of treating the problem. So, patients with high blood sugar levels and fertility issues should consult a doctor to manage diabetes before trying for pregnancy. When treating women with diabetes for fertility issues, healthcare providers start by managing the blood sugar levels through medications to help with conception and pregnancy.
When medications for diabetes do not work, or there are other fertility issues, IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination) increases pregnancy chances. Medications may also help females with ovulation issues and help males with erectile dysfunction.
Hormonal therapy may also be used for issues like PCOS or hormonal imbalances. This is prescribed for a woman to help regulate periods, induce ovulation, and improve conception chances.
For some issues, surgery may be an option for some women with PCOS. For some diabetic men, sperm extraction may be done. Typically, a combination of treatments is recommended to improve the chances of pregnancy in people with insulin resistance and fertility issues.
Myth: A prediabetes diagnosis will cause a delay in fertility treatment
While making some lifestyle changes before conception may add to your conception timeline, that does not mean there will be a huge delay in the process. Following the lifestyle changes recommended by the doctor will reduce the risk of diabetes and make you and the baby healthier.
Myth: Only Women Should Be Worried About Diabetes
Yes and No. In women, increased insulin resistance and blood sugar levels can disturb ovulation and make periods less predictable. Studies have also shown that high blood glucose levels may also increase the risk of miscarriage. It can also prevent the implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Increased glucose levels have an impact on testosterone, progesterone and estrogen levels, all of which are necessary to get pregnant. Diabetic men may also have erectile dysfunction, and there might also be damage to the sperm's DNA. DNA damage can cause miscarriage and congenital health conditions.
Fact: Diabetes is A Serious But Common Disease
Diabetes is increasingly diagnosed in men and women in their reproductive years, and there is a rise in gestational diabetes, too. Studies show that there is a rise in type 2 diabetes cases in younger adults in their 20s and 30s.
Fact: High Blood Sugar Levels Affect the Mom and Baby
Diabetes type 1, 2 or gestational can impact the mother’s and the unborn baby’s health. Uncontrolled blood sugar during pregnancy increases the chances of miscarriage and other problems. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes may result in hypoglycemia in babies, preeclampsia and C-section.
Every parent wants a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. By understanding the link between diabetes and fertility, you can reduce high blood glucose fertility struggles, make lifestyle changes, and achieve optimal health. This will help create a good environment for a successful conception, pregnancy, and delivery of a healthy baby.
