Rheumatoid arthritis makes it difficult for women to become pregnant

A recent study published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism confirmed that women with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty conceiving.

The study involved more than 68,000 Danish women who were pregnant and gave the following results: 25% of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) take at least 1 year to conceive after trying. A lot that failed. Meanwhile, only 16% of women without the disease have difficulty getting pregnant.

In addition, 10% of women with arthritis have been treated for infertility, while this figure is only 8% for those without the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune disease, which arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue in the joints, leading to rapid inflammation, pain and joint destruction. This disease is more common in women than men, and although it is usually born in middle age, it can also affect adolescents.

Rheumatoid arthritis is not the same as common arthritis mainly seen in the elderly and athletes due to damage and wear on the joints. Until this time, scientists have not made a definite conclusion, whether RA disease or its therapeutic drugs affect the fertility of women?

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The latest research has not yet provided an accurate answer to this issue. Dr. Damini Jawaheer of the Oakland, California Children's Hospital Research Institute , head of the study, said: ' We have not yet identified itself as rheumatoid arthritis or its specific drugs. personality affects the process of conception in women. Although there is no clear evidence, but it seems that in this context, the treatment methods at least have little impact on women's fertility '.

Ms. Jawaheer pointed out that women who are trying to become pregnant are often recommended to stop using arthritis drugs such as Methotrexate (Rheumatrex), Etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) with concerns about birth defects. born in the fetus.

However, according to Dr. Jawaheer, scientists need to do more research to make a clearer conclusion, while discovering other potential causes. Before there is clear evidence from scientists, women with rheumatoid arthritis should still be optimistic and should not delay their pregnancy plan.