The first step in diagnosing why a couple is unable to conceive is conduct a fertility study. These include various tests, among these the thyroid analysis. The thyroid is a gland with a fundamental role in reproductive function. This is found in the neck and its function is to regulate metabolism.
Both the hyperthyroidism such as hypothyroidism, if left untreated, affect male and female fertility. That is why within the framework of World Thyroid Day, we make a wake-up call to detect these imbalances. If you are a woman, remember that if thyroid dysfunction is not treated, it can cause various health problems, which in turn make it difficult to get pregnant, such as obesity, for example.
How do thyroid hormones affect fertility?
Thyroid disorders occur in both women and men, although to a lesser extent in these. An imbalance in either of the two individuals of the couple produces infertility. When there is a malfunction of the thyroid gland, the entire endocrine system is decompensated.
In the case of women, thyroid hormones interact with female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone, which maintain the normal functioning of the ovaries and the maturation of the eggs. In men, thyroid disorders influence sperm production and maturation. Malfunction of the thyroid gland, in men, causes teratozoospermia.
This disorder cannot be prevented, but the condition can be controlled and your health improved maintaining a good lifestyle. Some of the advice we can give you is getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, de-stressing and paying attention to early symptoms, and of course getting the necessary medical attention.
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in women
Whether due to excess, hyperthyroidism, as by default, hypothyroidism, thyroid hormones there are infertility problems. In the woman there is many difficulties to achieve a pregnancy, carry it to fruition, spontaneous abortions occur frequently. In addition, if it is not controlled during pregnancy, it can cause premature labor.
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with anovulation and irregular menstrual cycles. After the study, if these levels are not adequate, the specialist will recommend taking iodine in foods such as fish, bread, cheese, cow's milk and eggs. In addition, specialists will assess the treatment to restore normal hormonal levels.
If hormonal medication is not controlled, it is advisable to resort to a treatment of Assisted reproduction. Once cAfter pregnancy, it is very important to continue to visit the specialist periodically and monitoring the thyroid gland to keep hormone levels in check.
Thyroid problems and male fertility
Although not as common as in women, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism also occurs in men. In the same way it affects male fertility. We have already pointed out that they are the cause of sperm malformation, in addition to influencing their production and maturation. The line of treatment will always be selected by physicians based on the underlying cause of thyroid malfunction, such as age, gland size, and the presence of coexisting medical conditions.
On the other hand, thyroid problems too can lead to erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, hypothyroidism is also associated with depression, hair loss, and memory. Some of the obvious symptoms of these hypothyroid disorders are fatigue, weight gain, swelling of the face, slow heart rate, joint pain.
These symptoms develop gradually over time, and in men, sometimes they are diagnosed as symptoms of aging. But if hypothyroidism is not treated, it can lead to goiter, heart disease, mental problems, and nerve damage.