Autoimmune diseases and fertility: What you need to know

If you're living with an autoimmune disease and considering starting a family, you might have questions about how your condition could affect your fertility. It's a complex topic, but don't worry - we're here to help you understand the key points.

First things first: having an autoimmune disease doesn't necessarily mean you can't have children. Many people with autoimmune conditions successfully conceive and have healthy pregnancies. However, some autoimmune diseases can pose challenges to fertility and pregnancy, so it's important to be informed and work closely with your healthcare team.

How Autoimmune Diseases Can Impact Fertility

1. Hormonal imbalances: Some autoimmune conditions, like thyroid disorders, can disrupt your hormonal balance, which may affect ovulation or sperm production.
2. Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of many autoimmune diseases, can potentially affect reproductive organs and interfere with conception.
3. Medication effects: Certain medications used to treat autoimmune conditions may temporarily affect fertility. It's crucial to discuss your medications with your doctor before trying to conceive.
4. Antibodies: In some cases, autoantibodies can attack reproductive tissues or embryos, making conception or maintaining a pregnancy more challenging.

Specific Autoimmune Conditions and Their Potential Impacts on Fertility

• Lupus: Women with lupus may experience irregular periods and have a higher risk of pregnancy complications. However, with proper management, many women with lupus have successful pregnancies.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: RA doesn't typically affect fertility directly, but it may take longer to conceive. The good news is that symptoms often improve during pregnancy.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to irregular ovulation and increase the risk of miscarriage. However, with proper thyroid hormone replacement, these risks can be significantly reduced.
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome: This condition can increase the risk of recurrent miscarriages, but with appropriate treatment, many women can have successful pregnancies.

Steps to Take When Planning a Family

1. Talk to your doctor: Discuss your plans with your rheumatologist or autoimmune specialist. They can help optimise your treatment plan for pregnancy.
2. Get your condition under control: Aim to achieve remission or low disease activity before trying to conceive.
3. Consider preconception counselling: A specialist can assess your individual risks and provide tailored advice.
4. Take care of your overall health: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress - these factors can positively impact both your autoimmune condition and your fertility.
5. Be patient: It might take longer to conceive with an autoimmune condition, but try not to get discouraged.

Remember, every person's situation is unique. While autoimmune diseases can present challenges to fertility, many people with these conditions go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies. Stay positive, work closely with your healthcare team, and don't hesitate to seek support when you need it. Your journey to parenthood might have some extra considerations, but it's absolutely possible.