Dr. Durga G Rao, Co-founder and Medical Director, Oasis Fertility

November 14th is considered World Diabetes Day. Access to Diabetes care is the theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23. Diabetes has become a very common health issue these days and the shocking fact is India is considered the Diabetes Capital of the World as more than 70 million people in India are affected with diabetes (According to 2019 survey). According to a research paper published in the Journal DIABETOLOGIA, more than half of men (55%) and some two thirds (65%) of women currently aged 20 years in India will likely develop diabetes in their lifetime, with most of those cases (around 95%) likely to be type 2 diabetes (T2D) which could be due to various factors like rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diet habits.

Diabetes causes many health complications affecting multiple organs like the eye, brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs. But many don’t realize that diabetes can also impact one’s ability to conceive. Diabetes affects the fertility potential of both men and women.

First, let us understand how Diabetes affects the body. The food we eat is broken down into sugars especially glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced by the b-cells of the pancreas that helps the cells in our body to take up glucose. Using glucose, the body gets the necessary energy. But in diabetic patients, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is not used effectively by the body.This results in the build-up of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream.

*Types of Diabetes:

•Type 1 Diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an autoimmune disease. In this case, the cells that produce insulin are attacked by the body’s own cells. This condition is also known as juvenile diabetes and can affect children and young adults.Type 1 diabetes might also be a cause of premature ovarian failure thereby affecting their dream of motherhood.

•Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is the most common type. Here,the body doesn’t effectively use the insulin produced.Lifestyle modifications,exercise,and healthy food habits can help one to control sugar levels.

Read more- https://www.punekarnews.in/diabetes-and-fertility-not-a-sweet-couple/