Thyroid and periods

A variety of hormones control the menstrual cycle. This network of hormones impacts thyroid function, although the relationship between menstruation, reproductive function, and the thyroid is complex. People with This article looks at how hyperthyroidism can affect the menstrual cycle, other symptoms, and more. Share on Pinterest We Are/Getty Images Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck, produces more thyroid hormones than the body needs. Thyroid hormones are In people with hyperthyroidism, Hyperthyroidism A person with abnormal SHBG levels may experience fertility problems. Hyperthyroidism can cause various menstruation problems, including: Irregular periods According to some However, other organizations have different criteria. For example, a Other information suggests that a period is also irregular if the length of the menstrual cycle varies by more than An irregular menstrual cycle is a Lighter or fewer periods People with hyperthyroidism are Hyperthyroidism can also cause a person to have fewer periods. Stopped periods The absence of periods is called In thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, elevated levels of the hormone This can cause fertility problems. Fertility problems Because hyperthyroidism can affect ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovary, it can affect fertility. Increased prolactin levels can prevent the egg, or ovum, from releasing and traveling down the fallopian tube i...

If your periods aren’t like they used to be, you and your doctor might need to do some sleuthing. Hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, affects about 4.6 percent of Americans 12 and older, and women are more likely to develop it than men, according to the Hypothyroidism can also affect your periods by setting off a cascade of hormonal changes that affect your reproductive system. Here’s what happens: When your High Hypothyroidism Can Make Periods Heavy, Absent, or Irregular Hypothyroidism can put the brakes on Changes in prolactin levels can lead to thinning of the uterine lining and changes in how the pituitary gland controls the ovaries; both can result in periods stopping completely, says Dr. Spencer. Hypothyroidism can also change coagulation factors, increasing the risk of heavy bleeding. Women of reproductive age with hypothyroidism may experience heavy periods, absent periods, or irregular periods, says McConnell, and the symptoms of menstrual irregularities will depend on the severity of the hypothyroidism. “Menstrual irregularities tend to be more common in women with severe hypothyroidism compared to mild hypothyroidism,” says McConnell. When to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Periods If your periods are out of whack, you need to find the cause so you can treat it. Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to other There could also be something else going on altogether. “Hypothyroidism is only one potential cause of...

Guest Post by Dr. Lara Briden, ND The thing I love about periods is the story they tell about health. I am constantly asking my patients about their periods—even if they’ve come to me for something else. For example, my patient Sharon came to me for help with elevated cholesterol. She also reported heavy periods and premenstrual spotting, which I was very interested in. “You could have a thyroid problem,” I said. She had already had a basic thyroid test (TSH) with her doctor, and was told it was normal. I ordered further tests, and we found that she did indeed require thyroid hormone. Three months after starting treatment, Sharon’s cholesterol had improved because thyroid hormone promotes the healthy removal of cholesterol from the blood [1]. Also, Sharon’s periods had lightened and the premenstrual spotting was also almost gone. Thyroid hormone affects every cell in the body. That’s why thyroid disease causes a vast array of symptoms including fatigue, elevated cholesterol, hair loss, and dry skin. That’s why thyroid disease affects menstruation. Menstrual signs of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Photo supplied by Lara Briden. • Irregular periods or lack of periods (amenorrhea) • Premenstrual spotting • Heavy or light periods [2] • Ovarian cysts [3] • Early [4] or late [5] menarche Menstrual signs of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) • Irregular periods or lack of periods (amenorrhea) • Light periods [2] • Late menarche [5] How Thyroid Affects Periods There are nu...

Hypothyroidism and the menstrual cycle are intimately tied. While thyroid hormone isn't a sex hormone, it does play a role in keeping your period regular. What is Hypothyroidism? According to “Deficiency of thyroid hormone which is normally made by the thyroid gland which is located in the front of the neck”. Hypothyroidism (an under active thyroid) occurs when your body is not producing enough thyroid hormone, you’re unable to convert it to its active form, or the cell is unable to use it. Women are five to eight times more likely to have some form of thyroid disease. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is the pituitary (brain) hormone that tells the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone. The thyroid then secretes T4 (inactive hormone) and a small amount of T3 (active hormone). Because T4 is considered inactive, it has to travel to other parts of the body (like So, anything that inhibits TSH secretion, T4 production, conversion to T3, or the cells’ ability to use thyroid hormone can cause hypothyroid symptoms. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: • Fatigue • Weight gain • Depression • Anxiety • Dry skin • Menstrual irregularities • Infertility • Hair loss • Joint pain • Constipation • High cholesterol And there are trickier ways hypothyroidism can show up. I share with you the What Causes Hypothyroidism? Autoimmunity Most commonly, hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s. When you have an autoi...

There are certain things most women are familiar with regarding the menstrual cycle — it can cause bloating, mood swings, cramps, and food cravings. From adolescence until menopause, they’re just a fact of life you learn to live with. But, there are also lesser-known facts about what happens to the body during that time of the month — such as what role does your thyroid play during the entire process? What is the thyroid? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. It’s about two inches long and is part of the body’s • Metabolism • Mood • Heartrate • Digestion • Body temperature When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, the condition is called hypothyroidism. When a person suffers from How does hypothyroidism affect your menstrual cycle? A common sign of hypothyroidism is heavier than usual menstrual bleeding. This is because when your thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones, it affects your ovaries’ ability to create progesterone — the hormone that regulates your menstrual cycle. In addition to heavier periods, low progesterone levels make it more difficult to get or to stay pregnant. Low progesterone levels may also cause irregular or absent periods. Symptoms of Thyroid Disorder In addition to the symptoms described above, a person with a thyroid disorder may notice changes in all aspects of their health. If you have hyperthyroidism, you’ll experience: • Feeling constantly tired • Dry skin • Feeling cold all the time • Memory problems • Depressi...

Hyperthyroidism can lead to increased prolactin. This can interfere with the production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that help regulate your menstrual cycle. Thyroid hormones help regulate your metabolism, energy levels, internal body temperature, hair growth, and more, says hormone specialist and integrative nutritionist When the “The thyroid helps control the menstrual cycle,” says Amy Myers, MD, author of “ ”If you have too much thyroid hormone ( Hyperthyroidism, specifically, can cause your periods to be “When your thyroid hormone levels increase, your brain starts to produce more prolactin,” says Vitti. High levels of “When prolactin levels are high, High prolactin levels also suppress the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). When GnRH is released, it signals the And FSH and LH influence the menstrual cycle. These hormones tell your The Addressing the underlying condition usually resolves related menstrual symptoms. “The first step in treating hyperthyroidism is figuring out if there are any underlying factors that are causing the thyroid to start producing too much thyroid hormone in the first place,” says Myers. In some cases, overactive thyroid is caused by another underlying condition like A healthcare professional may recommend a If you have hyperthyroidism, you have a few options. • Thyroid surgery: This involves • Radioactive iodine treatment: This involves drinking or ingesting a mixture of iodine and a low dose of radiation to de...

This article was written by a Medical Doctor (MD) and reviewed by the thyroid health experts at ThyroMate. ThyroMate articles uses only proven, accurate, credible sources (such as research studies and academic papers and websites) in order to provide accurate, fact-checked information about thyroid health that is helpful and objective. All references are linked throughout the article and sources for each are cited at the end. Visit these links to learn more about the research studies and conclusions drawn from the research methods. Information contained on this website is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult your physician for questions related to your health. Medically Reviewed The menstrual cycle is influenced by a number of factors that may explain why women’s periods are sometimes regular, but on other occasions are irregular. Menstruation depends on overall health and hormonal balance. Many health problems that women experience can affect their periods, and thyroid conditions are no exception. Throughout this article, we are going to focus on thyroid health and its impact on the menstrual cycle. Are menstrual problems common? When menstrual problems occur, it may be easy to think that other women don't experience them. However, according to the National Institutes of Health menstrual irregularities occur in about 14% to 25% of women of childbearing age These figures differ by the cause or nature of irregularity. For e...