Infertility is defined as being unable to conceive following a year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

Amongst the population as a whole, around 1 in 7 couples experience difficulty conceiving within the first year.

As diabetes can lead to additional problems that may affect fertility, the risk of infertility is therefore likely to be higher for couples in which one or more partner has diabetes.

Infertility can usually be treated but bear in mind that treatment may vary depending on the cause of it.

Can diabetes cause infertility in females?

Diabetes may lead to subfertilty (reduced fertility). Incidence is high especially in women with PCOS. If detected in time and corrected its effects can be reversed.

Can diabetes stop you from getting pregnant?

No doubt India is one of the epicenter of Diabetes Mellitus but it doesnt stop one from getting pregnant but impaired sugars when not treated can affect the baby. It increases chances of abortion, fetal abnormality, incidence of LSCS and neonatal morbidity. It also increases the chance of the child having Diabetes in their life earlier.

Can high blood sugar affect fertility?

High blood sugars does impair egg and sperm quality and leads to subfertility. The effect is on quality rather than quantity.

Does type one diabetes affect fertility?

Yes, diabetes at any stage affects fertility. Earlier the onset more is the impact.
In type 1 diabetes, the onset is early in adolescence.

How can I get pregnant fast with diabetes?

One should adopt lifestyle measures and get their sugars in control with help of diet, lifestyle modification and pregnancy safe drugs. Once in control pregnancy must be attempted with help of fertility expert.

Can I get pregnant if my husband is diabetic?

Yes, one can surely get pregnant if husband is diabetic. Its important to control the sugar levels within normal limits.

Does diabetes kill sperm?

No, diabetes does not kill sperms but may affect the quality.

Can you get IVF if you have diabetes?

Yes, one can undergo IVF or any fertility treatment even if one is diabetic.

What is uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy?

When a known diabetic person concieves, sugars need to be monitorered more frequently. When inspite of being on treatment, sugars level rise beyond normal limits, its uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy. Patient needs to be put on insulin and dose adjusted as per her sugar levels all throughout pregnancy. Diabetes detected for the first time in pregnancy is Gestational Diabetes.

According to a study, India is among the top two countries with the highest number of diabetic population. Prevalence of diabetes has more than doubled for men in India and has also increased by 80 percent among women in India (4.6 percent to 8.3 percent). While there is increasing awareness about diabetes prevention and treatment, there isn’t much awareness about other problems that are caused by diabetes like early onset and increased severity in sexual and urological functions.

Diabetes can cause female infertility by delaying menarche (onset of menses for the first time) and this is intensified by the fact that high sugar causes rapid and premature ovarian aging as evidenced by an early menopause. Thus diabetes leads to shortening of a woman’s reproductive lifespan.

During the reproductive years, diabetes has consistently been associated with menstrual abnormalities as well. The risk of oligomenorrhea, or delayed periods, is directly proportional to the levels of blood glucose.

Uncontrolled diabetes may also negatively affect a growing egg’s micro-environment, thus compromising on ovarian hormone synthesis, ovulation, and the egg’s quality. Further, it may lead to infections of pelvic organs like the ovaries and the fallopian tubes, compromising on a woman’s fertility potential.

You might be wondering if there is any connection to being diabetic and infertility.
It is not necessary that diabetes is only the reason that keeps women from getting pregnant, but it is often the reason which keeps them from staying pregnant.

In many cases, a woman with higher than normal glucose levels does get pregnant month after month. Unfortunately, her diabetes status prevents that embryo from implanting in the uterus, causing a miscarriage before she ever realizes she is pregnant. In this case, the diabetes isn’t preventing conception but is preventing an ongoing pregnancy. High glucose levels are reported to increase a woman’s chances of miscarriage by 30-60% according to statistics released by the American Diabetes Association.

Even when implantation does occur, there are other risks to consider, including:

An increased risk of birth defects due to damage caused to embryonic cells from the high levels of glucose in the blood.

A larger baby resulting in a c-section, which increases a mother’s chances of infection.

An increased risk of gestational diabetes in the mother, which can cause other health concerns for both mother and baby.

In addition to keeping an embryo from implanting, glucose levels that are too high can also affect hormone levels throughout the body including the all-important estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels needed for a pregnancy to occur. That is why glucose control is so vital to your fertility.

While there might be concerns if being diabetic, is it safe to conceive, there are ways you can prepare yourself for the pregnancy.

While it is important to understand the risks involved in high glucose levels and fertility, it is also important to understand that simply controlling your glucose levels, and getting (and keeping them) at a more normal level will reduce these risks and offer the opportunity for a safe and healthy pregnancy resulting in a healthy baby. With a good plan and dedication to eating right and staying healthy, your chances of giving birth are very high, despite a diabetes diagnosis.

The key to success is working with your obstetrician to ensure that your glucose levels remain stable months before trying to conceive as well as during a pregnancy. Aeon Care with its world-class surgeons and best IVF treatment in Maharashtra is at your service to solve your female infertility issues.