DOES THYRODY FUNCTION AFFECT YOUR FERTILITY?

25 January 20222′ read

If you have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for more than 6 months, make sure that your thyroid is working at its best before you move on to invasive medical procedures.

Many women do not realise that good thyroid function is essential for fertility, for the ability to conceive and for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. An underactive (or overactive) thyroid can prevent you from achieving the pregnancy you long for. While there are many and varied reasons for infertility, poor thyroid function may be the "missing link", especially for those with no specific fertility problems.

A full thyroid assessment is essential and should be carried out as soon as possible for every woman who wants to become pregnant, especially if she -

has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for more than 6 months
has had two or more miscarriages
has an irregular menstrual cycle
has a family history of thyroid problems.

What does the thyroid gland do?

The thyroid gland is located in the neck, below the larynx and in front of the trachea. Every cell in the body depends on thyroid hormones to regulate the body's metabolism, blood calcium levels, energy production, fat metabolism, oxygen use, the balance of other hormones & weight maintenance.

Healthy thyroid function can be affected by -

exposure to environmental toxins - electromagnetic radiation, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals
genetic susceptibility
high levels of stress
nutritional deficiencies
autoimmune disorders
infections
other hormonal imbalances, e.g. oestrogen dominance, high prolactin levels

Diet & lifestyle - The modern Western diet contributes significantly to the rise in thyroid health problems. Foods and habits that impair normal thyroid function include refined cereals, simple sugars, soya products, peanuts, caffeine, hydrogenated oils, smoking and alcohol. Exposure to heavy metals, e.g. mercury and lead, can also be harmful.

Managing stress is essential. Stress results in raised levels of cortisol, which is regarded as the stress hormone par excellence. Finally, exercise is beneficial, as it stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones.

Treating thyroid function is not a magic cure for all fertility problems, but for many women, once their thyroid health improved, their fertility problems were resolved and they went on to have a healthy pregnancy and enjoy the treasures of motherhood.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?