Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism for short) and hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism for short) are the most common thyroid dysfunction.
However, many young patients are still in their childbearing age, and with the advent of the second child age, they always have a little doubt and worry when eager to be parents.
Q: Is the occurrence of sexual desire decline, impotence and premature ejaculation related to thyroid dysfunction?
A: Normal and appropriate amount of thyroid hormone plays an important role in maintaining the balance of androgen, estrogen, prolactin and other sex hormones in the body.
Once hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism occurs, Thyroid secretion too much or too little thyroid hormone, the balance between this hormone is broken. It may cause male sexual desire reduction, erectile dysfunction (commonly known as impotence), premature ejaculation, etc., and even the characteristics of feminization of breasts. There are also studies that confirm that hypothyroidism causes the rise of blood sugar and blood lipid, which also has adverse effects on penile erection.
For women, hypothyroidism is also a sex killer, which is manifested as hypolibido. Therefore, it is reasonable that [sexual happiness] will decline.
What should I do?
Active treatment and control of thyroid function within the normal range can restore hormone balance.
Q: Menstruation is also disordered. What should I do?
A: Thyroid dysfunction has obvious influence on menstruation.
Excessive thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism patients has a direct inhibitory effect on estrogen and progesterone. Menstruation is mostly manifested as decreased menstrual volume, prolonged cycle and even amenorrhea.
In the hypothyroidism state lacking thyroxine, contrary to hyperthyroidism, menorrhagia occurs frequently or frequently.
However, there are also special cases. Clinically, hyperthyroidism patients with hypermenorrhagia and hypothyroidism patients with hypomenorrhagia can also be observed.
After hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is effectively controlled, menstrual disorders will be gradually corrected. Severe amenorrhea or excessive menstruation can also be treated with estrogen, progesterone preparations and other drugs.
Q: Will you be infertile if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?
A: As mentioned earlier, thyroid dysfunction will cause sex hormone secretion and menstrual disorder in women, affect multiple processes from ovulation to fertilized egg development in women, and cause infertility in female patients.
The effect of hyperthyroidism on fertility of male patients is still unclear, and hypothyroidism can cause infertility due to reduction or disappearance of male sperm count.
After the thyroid function is restored, fertility can generally be restored. For those who are still unable to give birth, drug therapy, test-tube baby and other methods can be adopted.
Q: I am in a hurry to have a baby. I must wait until hyperthyroidism is cured before getting pregnant?
A: Women with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism may have adverse consequences once they become pregnant, such as miscarriage, premature delivery, fetal growth retardation, etc. The risk of thyroid crisis and heart failure of expectant mothers also increases. If you are not in a hurry to have a baby, it is better to wait until hyperthyroidism is cured before conception. What is the best time to start preparing for pregnancy in what? For those who are cured by oral drugs, they will stop taking drugs for at least 3 months, and for those who are treated by iodine 131 or surgery, they will be treated for 6 months.
If you are in a hurry to have a child, you can take oral anti-hyperthyroidism drugs for treatment, and you can’t get pregnant until the thyroid function is under normal control.
Q: Is there any harm to the baby during pregnancy during oral drug treatment of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?
A: First of all, Thyroxine preparations such as Youjiale, which are used to treat hypothyroidism, are safe for human beings. Hypothyroidism women should insist on taking such drugs during pregnancy to meet the needs of the fetus and themselves. Moreover, thyrotropin in thyroid function examination reaches 0.1 ~ 2.5 IU/mL for re-conception, which can minimize the risk of fetal neurointellectual dysplasia.
Commonly used oral anti-thyroidism drugs include methimazole and propylthiouracil. These two drugs have certain risks to both the mother and the fetus when used during pregnancy. However, methimazole can cause fetal development malformation, and the first three months of pregnancy are the critical period for fetal neurointellectual development, so it is safer to take propylthiouracil during this period.
In the middle and late pregnancy, methimazole can be considered for replacement, because propylthiouracil may cause liver damage to the mother.
Thankfully, oral anti-hyperthyroidism drugs have not been found to have adverse effects on male sperm for the time being.
Q: Iodine 131 is a radioactive substance. Will it affect fertility after treatment with iodine 131? Will the fetus be exposed to radiation?
A: Iodine 131 therapy is a kind of radiotherapy, which can destroy thyroid cells and treat hyperthyroidism.
After entering the body, iodine 131 will accumulate in the thyroid gland and rarely distribute to other tissues. Therefore, the amount of iodine 131 used for routine treatment of hyperthyroidism will produce very low radiation to bone marrow, liver, spleen, testis and ovary, which will not affect the fertility of both men and women, and will not cause malformation, abortion and premature delivery to the fetus pregnant later.
Q: Will hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism be passed on to babies?
A: There are many causes of hyperthyroidism, about 80% of which are caused by Graves’ disease.
Graves’ disease is hereditary, Genetic factors account for about 60% in the process of its onset. Its occurrence is also related to mental and psychological factors, iodine intake and other thyroiditis. For example, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis are one of the main causes of hypothyroidism and are also hereditary. However, the genetic probability has not been determined. The onset of thyroiditis is also related to virus infection, smoking and iodine intake.
Although hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have certain genetic tendencies, parents suffering from thyroid dysfunction need not worry too much. Thyroid function has become a routine screening item for newborns and can be treated in time once problems are found.