Hypothyroidism and its Effect on Menstrual Pattern and Fertility

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Gynecology

Background:

• Hypothyroidism is a prevalent endocrine disorder, particularly affecting women.
• Thyroid dysfunction can influence various physiological processes, including reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of hypothyroidism on menstrual patterns.
• To evaluate the association between hypothyroidism and sub-fertility in women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional comparative study involving 139 women (79 hypothyroid, 60 euthyroid).
• Data collected from July 2006 to June 2008 from a thyroid clinic.
• Analysis of menstrual cycle regularity and fertility status.

Main Results:

• Hypothyroid women exhibited a significantly higher proportion of abnormal menstrual histories (34% vs. 13.4%, p<0.001).
• Sub-fertility rates were elevated in the hypothyroid group (13.7% vs. 6.7%), though not statistically significant (p>0.05).
• Overt hypothyroidism comprised 60.7% and sub-clinical hypothyroidism 39.2% of the hypothyroid cohort.

Conclusions:

• Hypothyroidism significantly affects menstrual patterns in women.
• Thyroid dysfunction is associated with increased sub-fertility, underscoring the need for thyroid health management in reproductive care.