Hypothyroidism is a common problem that can affect up to one in three women over the age of 35. It causes an underactive thyroid, which can wreak havoc not only on your menstrual cycle, but your entire body.
There are some full-body symptoms you can look out for, such as chronic low body temperature, fatigue, unexplained weight gain, dry hair, skin, and nails, anxiety and depression, muscle weakness, cold hands and feet, and irregular menstrual periods.
In regards to reproductive health, a low thyroid can cause major problems. Because the problem usually goes along with an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, fertility problems and menstrual inconsistencies are extremely common. Additionally, it can prevent implantation, increase your risk for PCOS, cause increased levels of prolactin which can suppress ovulation, and disrupt metabolism which can prevent the ovaries from functioning properly. In regards to specifically menstruation, some signs to look out for are long periods, short cycles, painful periods, frequent periods, and early puberty (before age 10).
There are tests available to provide information about how your thyroid is functioning and how healthy is is and there are medications available to regulate function, which can solve many menstruation and fertility problems cause by hypothyroidism.
Hormones aren’t a dirty word. And they play a role in whether or not you can get pregnant. #HealthStatus
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Key Points:
- 1Hyperthyroidism is an often undiagnosed but frequent problem in women’s health.
- 2Thyroid problems can be one of elements behind common problems in a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- 3Thyroid testing by a medical doctor or specialist in endocrinology is one solution to this common medical problem.
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