Conditions that benefit from a gluten-free diet for Fertility - PCOS

Article 4 of 5 on conditions that benefit from a gluten free diet for fertility – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

By Sally Marchini APD and Certified Fertility Dietitian

A gluten-free diet is essential for individuals with certain health conditions, but did you know that some of these conditions are also linked to fertility issues? As is a nutritionally poor gluten free diet, so just going ‘gluten free’ will not help.

Many people struggle with infertility without realising that an underlying health issue—often one that necessitates a gluten-free diet—could be contributing to their difficulties conceiving. This series of articles explore the key conditions that require a gluten-free diet or may benefit from a gluten free diet, and how they may impact fertility.

We’ve already looked at coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. In this article we’ll cover Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and gluten sensitivity, and the last in the series we will look at Endometriosis and gluten sensitivity.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Gluten Sensitivity

PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. While PCOS itself does not require a gluten-free diet, some individuals with PCOS may benefit from reducing gluten intake due to potential links with inflammation and insulin resistance.

How PCOS and Gluten May Be Connected:

- Insulin Resistance and Inflammation: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, and gluten consumption has been linked to increased inflammation, which may exacerbate PCOS symptoms.

- Improved Hormonal Balance on a Gluten-Free Diet: Some anecdotal reports suggest that reducing gluten intake helps improve menstrual regularity and ovulation in women with PCOS, though more scientific studies are needed.

If you would like to discuss any elements of this article with me to see if a high quality gluten free diet may be helpful for you to improve your condition and/or your fertility chances, then please send me a personal message and I will be pleased to help you to work through your concerns.

Accredited Practising Dietitian and Certified Fertility Dietitian, Sally Marchini of Marchini Nutrition, has type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease herself and is passionate about supporting others with these and other chronic conditions. You can follow her on her Instagram account @Marchini.Nutrition and Facebook page Marchini Nutrition,

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- Brouns, F. et al (2023). Diet associations in endometriosis: a critical narrative assessment with special reference to gluten *Frontiers in Nutrition*

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