Thyroid: Is ‘thyroid’ the cause of infertility in women? What do the doctors say?
Thyroid: Thyroid is one of the most common hormone problems in women. It especially affects women of reproductive age. The hormones released by the thyroid gland in the neck not only control the body’s metabolism and energy levels, but also govern the reproductive system. When the balance of these hormones is disturbed, the release of eggs, the period cycle changes and it becomes difficult to conceive.
How can hypothyroidism affect you?
Hypothyroidism occurs when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This causes symptoms like lethargy, weight gain, cold intolerance and irregular periods. This can stop or disrupt the release of eggs. Moreover, this increases the levels of the ‘prolactin’ hormone and further reduces fertility.
What is the effect of hyperthyroidism?
Although it may not seem like it, high levels of thyroid hormones in the body can cause periods to become shorter or not occur at all. Due to this, the egg is not released properly. If you get pregnant, there is a high risk of abortion. It affects the egg quality and the ability of the embryo to implant in the uterus.
Autoimmune thyroid problems
In some people the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Even if the thyroid appears normal in lab reports, the presence of thyroid antibodies in the body can lead to difficulty conceiving or repeated miscarriages.
In those undergoing fertility treatments (IUI, IVF)
Thyroid tests are mandatory for those undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF or IUI. The success rate is greatly reduced if thyroid problems are treated without cure. That is why doctors first detect these through TSH and Free T4 tests.
Is there a solution?
The good thing is that thyroid problems can be easily controlled with medication. People with hypothyroidism are given thyroid hormone replacement therapy (tablets). This normalizes the hormones and regularizes the periods. When the thyroid is under control, many women have an increased fertility rate and can conceive naturally.
Care is also needed after pregnancy
During the first few months of pregnancy, the mother’s thyroid hormones are the basis for the development of the fetus’s brain and nervous system. If the thyroid is neglected during pregnancy, there are risks of abortion, premature delivery, low birth weight or stunted mental growth.
Therefore, if you are trying to get pregnant after marriage, even if there is no result for a few months, if you have irregular periods, or if you have had abortions in the past, it is better to get thyroid tests done immediately. A healthy pregnancy can be yours if diagnosed and treated at the right time.
