Celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy) may manifest clinically with an array of nongastrointestinal symptoms among which are:
Important data have accumulated in recent years regarding the association between celiac disease, fertility and pregnancy. Many primary care obstetricians and gynecologists and perinatologists are not aware of these important relationships.
The aim of this review, utilizing a MEDLINE search from 1966 through March 2000 of the English language, is to describe the possible effects of celiac disease and its treatment upon the reproductive cycle, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. Review of the literature reveals that patients with untreated celiac disease sustain a significantly delayed menarche, earlier menopause, and an increased prevalence of secondary amenorrhea.
Patients with untreated celiac disease incur:
It appears that improvement of celiac disease, as reflected by restoration of small bowel mucosa associated with implementation of a gluten-free diet, may decrease miscarriage rates, improve fetal nutritional support and overall perinatal outcome.
Gynecol Obstet Invest 2001;51:3-7
One of other reasons that one should avoid wheat. I have seen many atypical rashes that were not eczema (atopic dermatitis) that have cleared up very nicely when the person stopped eating all gluten. I have also seen many other rashes clear up when the person stopped eating corn. It is amazing how frequently this is missed in traditional medicine, despite it being well described in the literature.
Most of us do not do well when we consume grains and are best off avoiding it. Dr. Brasco, a gastroenterologist, wrote an article last year that provides a wonderful review of the scientific reasons why most of us should avoid grains.