Approximately one out of every eight women will experience thyroid issues in their lifetime. The likelihood of women acquiring a thyroid disorder is 10 times higher than that of men. Thyroid problems can affect the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause in a number of ways.
Menstrual cycle
Thyroid problems can cause a variety of menstrual cycle irregularities, including:
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Light or infrequent periods
- Irregular periods
- Missed periods (amenorrhea)
Pregnancy
Thyroid problems can make it more difficult to get pregnant and can also increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Menopause
Thyroid problems can trigger early menopause or make menopause symptoms more severe.
Here is a more detailed look at how thyroid problems can affect each of these life stages
Menstrual cycle
The thyroid gland plays a role in the production of reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can disrupt the balance of these hormones and lead to menstrual cycle irregularities.
For example, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause heavy or prolonged periods, while hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can cause light or infrequent periods. Thyroid problems can also cause irregular periods and missed periods.
Pregnancy
Thyroid hormones are essential for the normal development of the foetus. Women with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism who are not adequately treated are at increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Menopause
The thyroid gland can also play a role in menopause. Women with hypothyroidism may experience early menopause, while women with hyperthyroidism may experience more severe menopause symptoms.
If you are concerned about how thyroid problems may be affecting your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause, talk to your doctor. They can test your thyroid function and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Managing thyroid and menopause health
We offer a variety of products to help you manage your thyroid and menopause health:
- Thyroid Check Kit: This kit allows you to check your thyroid function at home.
- Menopause Check Kit: Menopause health check allows you to check if you are approaching, or have reached menopause
- MenoBalance Check Kit: MenoBalance Check offers a thorough exploration of your female hormone balance, helping you to understand and manage your symptoms.
All DocHQ health checks are laboratory-certified. All you need to do is collect a blood sample from your finger. Send the sample to lab using pre-paid postage and receive a detailed GP-verified report and advice.
Click here to learn more about our products and to order yours today
