INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE, INFERTILITY AND PREGNANCY

Inflammatory bowel disease and especially Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are conditions that can affect female fertility and the course of pregnancy. The purpose of the study was to review the literature about the consequences of inflammatory bowel disease on fertility and pregnancy. The methodology followed included a review of published studies in electronic databases regarding the physical impact of inflammatory bowel disease on fertility and pregnancy. Results: The most likely reason for a decrease in fertility is the consequences of surgery that can be pelvic scars and adhesions. Other reasons for a decrease in fertility may be related to immune causes, fever, pain, diarrhea and malnutrition that are often observed in inflammatory bowel disease. Reduced fertility during the stages of increased inflammatory activity also seems to make biological sense in the sense of postponing pregnancy until condition improves. Τhe majority of studies indicate that women with active bowel disease during pregnancy have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and lower birth weight compared to women who are in remission. Conclusion: It is widely accepted that planning pregnancy during the course of the inflammatory bowel disease is the most desirable scenario.