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Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
When Shilpa Shetty Kundra opened up about suffering from an autoimmune condition: ‘I had a couple of miscarriages'
Shilpa Shetty Kundra has often been candid about life with her followers and fans. In a similar vein, the actor once opened up about suffering from APLA, or Antiphospholipid Antibodies, a group of antibodies that increase the risk of blood clots, due to which she sustained miscarriages before opting for surrogacy for the birth of her second child in 2020. 'After Viaan, I did want to have another child for the longest time. But I suffered from an autoimmune disease called APLA, and that came into play every time I got pregnant. So I had a couple of miscarriages, so it was a genuine issue,' she told Pinkvilla in 2020. 'I didn't want Viaan to grow up as a single child, because I'm also one of two, and I know how important it is to have a sibling. Coming from that thought, I did explore other ideas as well, but that didn't pan out well. At a time when I wanted to adopt, I had put in my name, and everything was underway. But then, the Christian missionary shut down because they had a tiff with CARA. I waited for nearly four years, and then I was so irritated and we decided to try the surrogacy route,' said Shilpa Shetty. But what exactly is ALPA, and how does it affect a woman's chances of full-term pregnancy? Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, explained that APLA is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood, leading to abnormal blood clotting. 'This condition becomes especially concerning, mainly during pregnancy, as it can cause clots in the placenta, reducing blood flow to the baby. Unfortunately, this causes repeated miscarriages, stillbirths, or complications like preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Women with APLA often don't realise they have it until they experience recurrent pregnancy losses or unexplained blood clots,' said Dr Surabhi. Dr Rashmi Niphadkar, fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Baner, Pune, explained that there may be issues with the embryo getting implanted in the uterus, and women with APLA may also have low quantities and quality of eggs. 'In men, the antibodies may have been linked to penile and testicular abnormalities,' said Dr Rashmi. Diagnosis is done through blood tests. 'Early diagnosis of APLA is critical, and this becomes crucial especially when planning for pregnancy. If women are repeatedly having miscarriages, it is ideal to consult a fertility specialist who can further check if any autoimmune disorder test is needed,' said Dr Rashmi. With proper treatment consisting of blood thinners, many women with APLA can conceive successfully and fulfill the dream of motherhood, emphasised Dr Surabhi. 'Moreover, women should keep in mind that it is necessary to inform their doctor about any history of miscarriage, clotting, or autoimmune conditions. Close monitoring and early diagnosis can make a big difference and help with successful conception,' Dr Surabhi noted. Women with APLA should be under the care of a high-risk pregnancy specialist to ensure both mother and baby stay healthy. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.


India Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
Are pollution, toxins causing rise in common fertility condition?
A concerning increase in endometriosis cases is being reported among women in Delhi, with the 30 to 35 age group being most have estimated that exposure to environmental pollution and bacterial endotoxins are linked to nearly 40% of these new cases in the may be contributing to a rise in several health issues. It is also showing its impact on the reproductive system. Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disorder where tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside the uterus and is now being linked to the rising levels of air Doctors have said that over almost half of endometriosis cases in Delhi are linked to endotoxins, with environmental pollution also a contributing factor. Endotoxins are toxic substances found in the outer membrane of certain bacteria, especially Gram-negative are released when these bacteria die or multiply. Common sources include contaminated medical equipment, water, or IS ENDOMETRIOSIS? Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine a result, it can cause inflammation, scarring, and even the formation of painful cysts. The signs and symptoms of endometriosis include severe menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic pain, pain during or after intercourse, heavy menstrual bleeding, and digestive issues such as bloating or constipation. In many cases, women also face difficulty conceiving. If left untreated, endometriosis can lead to infertility, ovarian cysts, and adhesions that affect reproductive symptoms often overlap with other conditions, diagnosis can be delayed, which worsens outcomes for many can be triggered by a mix of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Exposure to endotoxins, rising pollution levels, and immune system imbalances are now related to the condition as LINKED TO POLLUTION AND ENDOTOXINSMany women suffer for years before getting a diagnosis due to the overlapping nature of its symptoms with other gynaecological and gastrointestinal highly polluted cities like Delhi, constant exposure to these hormone-mimicking agents may be compounding women's reproductive health issues, experts Aswati Nair, a fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility in Rajouri Garden, stated the alarming rise in endotoxin-related endometriosis cases and pollution levels are aggravators of the condition. The alarming rise in endotoxin-related endometriosis cases and pollution levels are aggravators of the condition. () Just a few years ago, doctors said that cases linked to these factors were much less. "Women in the 30–35 age group are particularly vulnerable, especially those who delay conception. Environmental factors, poor air quality, and increased stress levels are contributing to this surge," said Dr. study, published in the peer-reviewed journal called Frontiers in Microbiology, stated that an unhealthy gut and harmful substances produced by bad bacteria can weaken the gut lining, allowing bacteria and endotoxins to enter the can confuse the immune system, cause inflammation and stress in the body, and raise the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, much like are still finding out if endometriosis is an autoimmune condition, since it bears significant resemblance to symptoms of some autoimmune diseases. Researchers are still finding out if endometriosis is an autoimmune condition, since it bears significant resemblance to symptoms of some autoimmune diseases. () While there is no known cure for endometriosis, the symptoms can be managed through regular gynaecological changes such as adopting a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and medications to control pain and hormone levels are some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove endometrial exposure to pollutants is also vital. For women with endometriosis who struggle with conception, consulting a fertility expert is essential. Techniques like in vitro fertilisation (IVF), egg freezing, or intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be recommended.