Diabetes, commonly described as a lifestyle disease, can contribute to infertility in both women and men, warn health experts. “Diabetes can cause infertility in both men and women. Both sexes are at equal risk of infertility,” S.K. Wangnoo, endocrinologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said.
Infertility affects up to 15 per cent of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. According to an estimate by the World Health Organization, the overall prevalence of primary infertility in India is between 3.9 per cent to 16.8 per cent.
Diabetes in men damages DNA of the sperm and leads to reduced number of sperms and reduced motility of sperms which leads to infertility. Although having diabetes does not necessarily make men infertile, it could make them less fertile.
On the other hand, Diabetes in women is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other autoimmune diseases that can lead to infertility.