Gluten-free diets and fertility in women with celiac disease
What it found
Women with unexplained infertility have about three times the risk of celiac disease compared to other women.
For those diagnosed, cutting out gluten was linked to more pregnancies and live births.
What they found
Studies in people
Celiac disease and infertility
A 2019 summary of past research found that women who cannot explain their infertility are about three times more likely to have celiac disease antibodies than healthy women. Celiac disease affects roughly 1% of people overall.
Diet and pregnancy outcomes
Women diagnosed with celiac disease who followed a gluten-free diet had more live births. Their risk of infertility and pregnancy problems dropped to match the general population.
Fertility clinic treatments
In a clinic study of 1,000 patients, women without celiac disease saw no difference in live births from IVF when they avoided gluten. But another study found that women with confirmed celiac disease had more pregnancies after starting a gluten-free diet.
Wheat sensitivity and periods
People who react to wheat but do not have celiac disease reported more menstrual cycle problems. Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes these symptoms.
Other findings
Nutrient gaps in the diet
A gluten-free diet can mean eating less fibre and more saturated fat. Gluten-free products are often low in calcium, zinc, magnesium and iron, which could worsen nutrient shortages.
What the authors conclude
- They advise women to get tested for celiac disease before cutting out gluten to try to improve fertility.
- They warn that an unbalanced gluten-free diet may cause nutrient shortages that could make getting pregnant harder.
- The authors recommend working with a dietitian if a gluten-free diet is needed.
How it was done
Products labeled gluten free are now common in shops, and many people claim online that avoiding gluten helps them get pregnant. The authors wanted to gather scientific facts on whether removing gluten actually improves fertility.
The authors gathered and examined published research on celiac disease, gluten-free diets, and reproductive health. They looked at studies involving women trying to conceive naturally and through fertility treatments, including one clinic study of 1,000 patients.
What it can’t tell you
- Most studies on celiac disease and infertility used small groups, so scientists cannot be certain how strong the link is.
- Some research relied only on blood tests rather than gut biopsies to diagnose celiac disease.
- This makes it hard to know if the findings apply to everyone with the condition.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Medical University of Silesia, Poland
The paper
- Title
- Gluten-free diet - remedy for infertility or dangerous trend?
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Krawczyk A, Kretek A, Pluta D, et al (2022). Gluten-free diet - remedy for infertility or dangerous trend?. Ginekologia polska. doi:10.5603/GP.a2021.0223Free full textPubMed 35156701DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error