Both treated and untreated celiac disease are associated with early menopause, according to a new research study.
The study concluded that late menarche and early menopause cause a shorter fertile period in untreated celiac women when compared to women without celiac disease. Starting a gluten-free diet at least a decade before menopause can prolong fertility, the study said.
The study, in the journal Menopause, looked at 33 women who were diagnosed with celiac after menopause, 25 celiac women consuming a gluten-free diet for at least 10 years before menopause, and 45 volunteers who served as a control group.
The researchers found that untreated celiac women had a shorter "fertile life span" (i.e., shorter period of fertility) than women without celiac disease, due both to being older at menarche and younger at menopause.
In addition, women with untreated celiac suffered from far more menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, muscle andjoint problems and irritability, than did women without celiac. In women with celiac who follow the gluten-free diet, the diet seems to help reduce muscle and joint problems, but not hot flashes and irritability.
In addition, women with untreated celiac reported that their hot flashes and irritability were more severe than women without celiac, the study said. "Low physical exercise and/or poorer quality of life frequently reported by untreated celiac women might be the cause of reduced discomfort tolerance, thus increasing the subjective perception of menopausal symptoms," the authors wrote.
However, starting a gluten-free diet at least 10 years prior to menopause can help extend fertility in women with celiac, the study said.
Other studies have associated celiac disease with delayed menarche, early menopause, infertility, endometriosis and pelvic pain. Here's some more information on celiac disease and women's reproductive health issues:
Can Undiagnosed Celiac Disease Cause Delayed Menarche?
Celiac Disease and Infertility
Celiac Disease and Early Menopause
Celiac Disease and Endometriosis
Celiac Disease and Pelvic Pain
