Menopause can set in early for women with gluten allergy

Gluten allergy is synonymous with celiac disease – something to keep in mind when reading about these findings. From msnbc.com (via Reuters):

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Women with untreated celiac disease may hit menopause earlier, and have a higher risk of some pregnancy complications, than women without the disease, suggests a small study. However, if women with celiac disease are diagnosed early, and follow a strict diet as treatment, the findings suggest they won’t go through menopause any earlier than disease-free women. Celiac disease affects “the whole spectrum of the reproductive career of women,” said Dr. Shawky Badawy, the head of obstetrics and gynecology at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. “It’s very interesting that when this disease is diagnosed early and corrected by (a) gluten-free diet, you find that these people improved significantly and their reproductive function improved significantly,” added Badawy, who was not involved in the new study. Combined with other studies that have also shown reproductive problems in women with untreated celiac disease, “it’s a really important finding,” he told Reuters Health.]]>