NEW YORK — A recent study from UK researchers indicates that women with asthma, hay fever, or eczema are as fertile as their non-allergic peers and may even have slightly higher fertility rates.
Dr. L. J. Tata of the University of Nottingham and colleagues published their findings in the American Journal of Epidemiology, challenging the assumption that allergic conditions reduce fertility. The research analyzed data from 491,516 women aged 15 to 44 over a decade, revealing that 13% had asthma, 14% had eczema, and 12% had hay fever. Notably, asthmatic women in their 20s showed slightly higher fertility than non-asthmatics.
The study found no significant fertility differences among women with or without these allergic conditions, suggesting that allergic diseases might not hinder reproductive capabilities. The researchers speculate that immune system factors associated with allergies could potentially enhance fertility, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
Overall, the results provide reassuring evidence for women with these conditions regarding their fertility prospects.