Thyroid Disorder and Fertility Challenges
Fertility challenges in both men and women can be associated with many difficult-to-pinpoint causes, and one of those possibilities is an undiagnosed thyroid condition. The relationship between thyroid health and fertility challenges is important and plays a role in the complex act of conception.
Infertility is medically defined as not being able to become pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. Because fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age, some providers evaluate and begin to treat women who are 35 years or older, and after six months of inability to conceive.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ in the front of the neck that produces hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism and as well as many other vital functions. Thyroid disorders fall into two main categories: hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid that produces too much thyroid hormone; and hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid that produces too little.
The typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland include high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, tremor, nervousness, increased appetite with weight loss, diarrhea, and/or frequent bowel movements. On the other hand, hypothyroidism, an underactive gland, is characterized by slowed speech, a puffy face, drooping eyelids, sensitivity to cold, constipation, weight gain, dry hair and skin, lethargy, brain fog, and depression.
In women, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to not only menstrual problems (irregular or no menstrual cycles) but also in problems with ovulation (irregular or no ovulation) that can affect fertility. Simply put, if no egg is released, no conception and resulting pregnancy can occur, even in the face of regular menstrual periods. This condition is known as abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), or anovulatory bleeding which is menstrual bleeding without the release of an egg. Abnormal uterine bleeding is so common that approximately one-third of women who have a uterus are of child-bearing age.
There are other ways that thyroid problems can lead to infertility. Hypothyroidism can cause cysts to form on the ovaries. It can also lead to increased production of prolactin, the hormone that controls milk production, or lactation, in women who are not pregnant. When prolactin levels are high, ovulation will be interfered because the body is producing milk for breastfeeding. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have also been tied to a definite increase in the risk of miscarriage. Women with a thyroid disorder are about four times more likely to have a miscarriage than women who do not, and women with untreated thyroid disorder are also at a higher risk of giving birth to having infants that will go on to experience developmental problems.
In men, dysregulated thyroid function can damage sperm quality and motility, making it difficult for the sperm to enter and implant an egg. This is the reason that thyroid disorder needs to be recognized and treated to encourage the normal process of conception beginning with the generation of healthy oocytes(eggs) as well as the generation of viable sperm in order for fertilization, implantation, and placentation to occur, followed by the development of the embryo and healthy full-term pregnancy.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regards both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism as a Yin/Yang imbalance. In TCM, hyperthyroidism is interpreted as related to excessive fiery heat energy in the Blood which disturbs the normal flow of Qi and Blood circulation in the Liver and Heart meridians. A dysregulation in the circulation of “fiery heat” would be akin to sitting inside a parked car without air conditioning on a hot day. The dysregulation of fiery heat can manifest as palpitation, excessive sweating, agitation, anxiety, a short and/or hot temper, feeling hot, insomnia, or red/dry/pressure pain in the eyes.
Hypothyroidism is closely related to a deficiency in Kidney Yang which means a lack of “fire energy/warmth” as if one were sitting in cold water on a cold night. A lack of fire energy/warmth is often a suspect in an overweight or obese body type along with other symptoms such as lethargy, depression, water retention, feeling cold, sleepiness, and low metabolism.
The TCM approach offers a highly personalized course of treatment for thyroid disorder and fertility enhancement that can be a valuable adjunct to western medical therapies. TCM treatments typically employ acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy to rebalance an individual’s Yin and Yang. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine also postulate that external factors such as diet, lifestyle, environmental toxins, and infection; internal factors such as emotional and mental states; hereditary conditions, and underlying health conditions can affect the free flow of Qi or energy movement in the body and causing an imbalance in the forces of Yin and Yang.
Infertility can have many different causes, and a thyroid problem is certainly one of the causes that can and should be addressed and treated. If you or someone you know suspects they may have symptoms of thyroid dysfunction and are suffering from an inability to conceive, it would be worthwhile to include a qualified acupuncturist as part of your health care team.