HIV/ AIDS Can Cause Infertility- Finds Study

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AIDS is one of the deadly disease that can have a lot of repercussions on one's health. Weakening the immune system is just one of the major effect. Once your immunity system is low, you tend to develop a lot of ailments.

Well, a new finding will further leave you awestruck. AIDS seems to have a serious effect on fertility. According to a report by World Health Organisation (WHO), the transmission rates of HIV virus from mother to the offspring range from 15% to 45%.

A woman with HIV may suffer from serious PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) as the immune system is weakened.

This rate can be reduced to below five percent with effective treatment during the cycle of pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. These interventions primarily involve antiretroviral treatment.

So why does this happen?

HIV-positive women are more likely to have an anovulatory cycle and amenorrhea, or a complete absence of a menstrual cycle. In addition, factors that may result in infertility in HIV-infected women include stress, weakened immune systems, weight loss, and the presence of various sexually transmitted diseases.

For women who avoid undergoing antiretroviral therapy, complications with pregnancy may occur more often. With the development of HAART, a growing number of HIV-positive women can opt to have safe vaginal deliveries.

Though vaginal delivery is recommended only if an HIV-positive pregnant woman has been receiving proper prenatal care and the viral load is less than 1,000 copies per ml at 36 weeks of pregnancy.

This isn't all, not just the women, even in men the sperm function also gets affected by HIV. Inflammation of the testicles and production of insufficient testosterone levels might occur in HIV infected men. Such people also experience decreased sex drive and erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.

Meanwhile, having a healthy diet is very important to increase infertility. There are a few foods that helps in increasing fertility. Know about these foods here.

1. Goods Carbs:
It is very essential to include good carbs in your daily diet. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain good carbs that take time to get digested. Good carbs have a more gradual effect on blood sugar and insulin. If the insulin levels are high, it tends to inhibit ovulation and affects fertility.

2. Protein:
When we say protein, it is always best to go for plant protein. Beans, nuts, seeds and tofu contains healthy proteins that are low in calories. Adding these good source of protein in your daily diet helps in enhancing fertility.

(With Agency Inputs)