8. Pregnancy & Childbirth: Hormonal Ballet and Celiac Risks
Pregnancy, a period of profound physiological change, brings along a plethora of hormonal fluctuations. And some women report the onset of celiac symptoms post-pregnancy. Now, is it just hormonal changes, or is there more beneath the surface?
Pregnancy induces changes in immune responses to support the growing fetus. In some cases, these altered responses might persist post-pregnancy, leading to heightened sensitivities, including gluten reactions. It’s a delicate balance, the body walking a tightrope of responses.
Childbirth, while a natural process, is also a stress event, both physically and emotionally. This stress, combined with postpartum hormonal dips, can sometimes trigger autoimmune responses in predisposed individuals. Celiac disease, being an autoimmune condition, might emerge in this whirlwind of changes. (8)
