How Arthritis Can Affect Your Reproductive Health

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How Arthritis Can Affect Your Reproductive Health

As with joint pain, inflammation, and joint mobility problems associated with arthritis, its effects reach far beyond the musculoskeletal system. For example, women with either autoimmune form of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, may see their reproductive health and fertility working differently when they’re affected by the disease. If you are considering pregnancy, or are getting pregnant, it is important to understand the impact of having arthritis on the reproductive system.

Irregular Cycles and Hormonal Imbalances

The menstrual cycle depends on intact hormone balance: hormonal irregularities caused by chronic inflammation from autoimmune arthritis can disrupt the balance of these hormones. Women with RA or other conditions, often have irregular periods (or anovulation – when your ovaries don’t release an egg). It can be difficult to conceive naturally because of this irregularity.

Medications and Fertility

Generally, many women with arthritis take medicine for inflammation and pain such as NSAIDs, steroids and DMARDs. These medications can help control arthritis symptoms, but some can interfere with reproductive function. For example, NSAIDs can delay ovulation for a long time; some DMARDs may damage the ovaries or are risky for pregnancies or fertility. But it’s best to work with a rheumatologist and fertility specialist to help make sure any changes in medication are safe for reproductive health.

Physical and Emotional Stress

Arthritis can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and reduced mobility that may lessen a woman’s overall physical and emotional well being and diminish her ability to conceive. Women with arthritis who are stressed and in pain may find that stress and pain than reduces their libido, which can make conception more difficult. However, in such cases, IVF may be a promising way out of a seemingly impeding cause.

Expert Opinion from Dr. Swati Mishra

Dr. Swati Mishra, a well-known IVF and infertility specialist in Patna, North India, says, Arthritis can affect fertility, but with good management under the combined influence of the patient’s rheumatologist and fertility specialist pregnancy can be achieved. The key to optimizing reproductive health and improve pregnancy outcomes for women considering IVF is to control inflammation and adjust medications as necessary.”

Even with arthritis, conception is still possible! Most women with arthritis who want to have children can have them, using careful planning, medical support and expert guidance.

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