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Did you know? Prediabetes in Men Could be Affecting Fertility
The benefit of taking care of oneself is key to many aspects of success when it comes to medical conditions. As a physician specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Dr. Gad Lavy has been a proponent of helping patients to improve their odds of starting or growing the familes they deserve. Thanks to our friends at eIVF, we are excited to share information based on a new study that may help you make that first or next step! When you are ready, we are here for you.
Starting a family is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Waiting for the right time to get pregnant and then making sure to do everything in your power to conceive. There are a lot of reasons why it doesn't happen on schedule. Fertility issues are on the rise, especially in men with prediabetes. In a recent study last October, 744 men who were attempting to conceive with their partners were unable to get them pregnant despite 12 months of unprotected sex. A majority of these men had undiagnosed pre-diabetic blood glucose levels.
What is prediabetes?
We've all heard of diabetes, but what is prediabetes? It is when a person is on the verge of getting type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is usually a result of poor lifestyle choices regarding food and exercise. This interferes with your body's ability to use the insulin it produces. In a prediabetic it can be reversed with changes in diet and routine, but some people are at a higher risk than others. This can happen for a variety of reasons both in and out of a person's control.
Who is at higher risk?
People with a family history of type 2 diabetes are at the highest risk of being prediabetic and eventually, diabetic. Increased risks follow obese people and those with high BMI, as well as those who are 40 and older. Some ethnicities are also at a higher risk than others. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Americans seem to have a higher risk factor than other ethnicities.
Why does prediabetes affect mens fertility?
The study gave researchers a change to see the effect of the interaction between impaired hormones and metabolism in prediabetic men. The reasons behind the infertility are likely a connection between oxidative stress, irregular insulin and the metabolism of glucose in the subjects system. The research was able to conclude that there is a strong case for the above to lead to impaired testicular metabolism and other issues that cause infertility.
How do you know if prediabetes is affecting your fertility
A full mens fertility workup is necessary. More so if you are unable to conceive with your partner after having regular unprotected sex. Some cases, you may need to wait a little longer before you decide. If your partner is 35 or older, and you have not been able to conceive in six months it may be time to consult a doctor. Make sure you and your partner get fertility workups to find out where the problem may lie. If your problem is different, consider IVF as an alternative to natural conception.
Get checked for diabetes
Alternatively, you could get yourself tested for your sugar levels. If anyone in the family also has diabetes, it is a good idea to go gets checked in any case. If you find out you are prediabetic, begin making lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Even if you are able to conceive, it is a fact that healthy parents make healthy children.
If you are concerned that prediabetes could be affecting your ability to conceive,feel free to schedule an appointment here at New England Fertility. Making lifestyle changes to become healthier is vital in becoming a healthier couple able to conceive, and in the long term: a healthier parent to your future children.