Impact of prediabetes on fertility
Many people with prediabetes also have insulin resistance, both of which can impact the menstrual cycle and fertility. Reproductive hormones can become out of balance and ovulation might stop. Higher-than-average blood sugar can also reduce egg quality. All of these factors make getting pregnant more of a challenge and can lead to developmental problems in the baby, including birth defects. Beyond that, prediabetes is associated with other conditions that reduce fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Excess weight can also disrupt your cycle and increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
Potential causes of prediabetes
The following factors increase the risk of developing impaired tolerance to glucose:
- Being overweight or obese
- Family history of diabetes
- Not enough exercise
- Gestational diabetes
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Sleep apnea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep)
Diagnosis of prediabetes
Healthcare providers diagnose this condition based on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test. This test involves measuring your fasting blood glucose level (after not eating or drinking (sugary beverages) for 8 hours) and then testing it again 2 hours after drinking a sugary solution. The results indicate how your body responds to sugar intake.
Other tests used to diagnose prediabetes include:
- The hemoglobin A1c test, which shows your average blood sugar level over the last 3 months. Higher-than-average levels signal prediabetes.
- The fasting blood sugar test, which measures your blood sugar after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours. Also here: Higher-than-average levels signal prediabetes.
- If you were sick when you got the test, took medication that affected your blood sugar levels, or smoked or drank coffee on the morning of the test, this might have impacted your results.
Symptoms of prediabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance doesn’t have specific symptoms, so many people aren’t aware that they have it until they get tested.
But signs of diabetes may occur, particularly in the late phase of prediabetes. These include:
- Weight loss
- Food cravings
- Weakness or fatigue
- Wounds that take longer to heal
- Frequent infections (skin, genital, and urinary tract)
Treatment to improve fertility
There are many things in your power that you can do to reduce your risk for diabetes-related health issues and boost your fertility. Lead a healthy lifestyle by losing weight if you are overweight, exercise more often, and eat a nutritious, balanced diet to get your blood sugar to a healthy level and improve reproductive health.
Research shows that when overweight people with prediabetes lose 5-7% of body weight, it significantly reduces the chance of developing diabetes. In the study, people with prediabetes who lead a healthy lifestyle had a 27% lower chance of having diabetes after 15 years. Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood glucose levels.
Your doctor may also recommend that you take metformin, a diabetes medication that can help prevent prediabetes from becoming diabetes.
To reduce the risk of birth defects, be sure to take a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid.
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