The thyroid gland is located in the neck and its function is to regulate the metabolism. It works like a control panel that intervenes on all body processes including the reproductive one. If hyperthyroid and hypothyroid are not treated some difficulties may arise to get pregnant. Therefore, thyroid and fertility go hand in hand in both women and men.
Thyroid: how does it affect the female fertility?
The thyroid hormones interact with the reproductive ones, oestrogen and progesterone, to preserve the normal ovary activity and the egg maturation process. Therefore, when there are thyroid problems, the female fertility may be affected.
If the thyroid gland releases an excessive quantity (hyperthyroid) or insufficient quantity (hypothyroid) of hormones it may cause:
- Ovulation alterations;
- Irregular periods;
- Infertility or problems in getting pregnant;
- Problems to successfully reach a full-term pregnancy.
When the thyroid gland doesn’t work well all our endocrinal system might become unbalanced. FSH and LH, the hormones that control the ovulatory cycle, may get affected provoking an anovulation. When this happens no egg is released and, consequently, the fertilization is not possible and there will be no pregnancy. For that reason, one of the fundamental medical tests regarding the female fertility is the hormonal profile, which includes the thyroid hormones.
Many times it is possible to recover the ovulation and therefore, to get pregnant naturally by restoring the hormonal values with some medication. However, if this is not stabilised with the hormonal medication it is advisable to turn to a fertility treatment.
After getting pregnant it is important to go to a specialist regularly in order to keep the thyroid gland and the hormonal levels under control.
Thyroid issues and male fertility
Even if it’s not as common as in women it is true that hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may have an effect on male fertility. Thyroid alterations affect the spermatozoid production and maturation and they are one of the causes of teratospermia (semen alteration in which there is a high number of spermatozoids with abnormal or weird shapes). Moreover, they may also cause erectile dysfunction and loss of libido.
Hyperthyroidism in men may result in spermatozoids with abnormal structure and shape, while hypothyroidism may decrease the number of spermatozoids produced by the testicles.
In any case it is important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms that cause hypo and hyperthyroidism and visit an endocrinologist. A specialist will evaluate the size of the thyroid gland and measure the TSH hormonal level in order to undergo a hormonal regulation treatment.
If with the treatment, the hormonal levels don’t get balanced it will be necessary to turn to a fertility treatment to get pregnant. At Barcelona IVF we can help you by offering the best treatment for your situation. Please, contact us here