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How Thyroid Affects Your Sex Life?

By Dhwani Jerajani +2 more

Sexual intimacy is an integral part of a relationship. Sexual dysfunction or the lack of desire for sex can cause rifts and other problems. It affects only the relationship but also a person’s physical self. Further, it may be an indicator of other severe health problems such as thyroid. Yes, thyroid affects sex life!

Ignoring ‘thyroid’ as an underlying reason can lead to various thyroid problems such as Hashimoto’s disease which then leads to an underactive thyroid gland.

pharmeasy-thyroid-affects-sex-life-blog

Effects of thyroid on your sexual life:

  • Painful Sex

The dry vaginal skin is a symptom of thyroid disease in women. Vaginal dryness will make sexual intercourse unpleasant, resulting in a decreased desire for sexual activity.

  • Decreased testosterone

It is possible to have low testosterone if you suffer from a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorders can also lower your libido. Although testosterone is considered a “man’s hormone”, it is produced by both men and women. Both men and women rely on it for different levels of sex drive.

Thyroid hormone is commonly implicated in maintaining the body metabolism, high or low levels may affect the weight of a person, heart health and various other bodily functions. It is very critical to maintain normal levels of thyroid hormone in the body.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
  • Depression and mood disorders

The thyroid gland can cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which can both lead to issues such as fatigue and depression.

  • Ejaculation disorders

Both men and women can experience ejaculation problems, whether they are premature or delayed. These issues may be a result of thyroid issues. Hypothyroidism increases the chance of delayed ejaculation, and hyperthyroidism increases the chance of premature ejaculation, according to the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA).

  • Erectile Dysfunction

According to SMSNA, hormonal imbalances caused by thyroid disorders may make it challenging for men to get or keep an erection. The condition is relatively common, especially among hypothyroid men.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with hypothyroid (59-63% and 22-46% in men and women, respectively) and hyperthyroidism (48-77% and 44-60% in men and women, respectively) has been estimated in select populations as per studies. The major problems include lack of vaginal lubrication, decreased libido and ED.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Also Read: Foods That Naturally Help You Last Longer In Bed: A Complete Guide

Here is a case shared by a doctor:

I complained to my doctor that I had been feeling very weak and lethargic over the past few months along with gaining weight. I didn’t even feel like getting out of bed on most days. My doctor then asked me about my sexual life, and to my embarrassment, I had to reveal to him that my sex drive too had decreased over time and we had lost that spark in bed. He also asked me about my menstrual cycle, and I told him that my periods had become heavier and irregular. That raised his eyebrows. He quickly proceeded to order some tests. A few days later, my doctor told me that I had been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder.

Many reasons can cause your sexual drive to go awry, but one of the more concerning and often overlooked causes of low libido is abnormal thyroid function. People assume that most problems related to sexual arousal are psychological in origin, but it is not true. Research has shown that an abnormal functioning thyroid can stall a person’s erotic desires.

Other physical factors may cause a person’s libido to drop. Disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity; high cholesterol levels; and heavy smoking have a significant impact on one’s sexual health. Increasingly, some patients are being treated for thyroid conditions, which were previously undiagnosed.

Read More: How to Cure Thyroid Naturally?

Most patients complaining of sexual dysfunction are affected by hypothyroidism, though symptoms can occur with hyperthyroidism as well. The good news is that after a few weeks of taking thyroid medication, the symptoms disappear. However, you may need to monitor your thyroid levels regularly.

Apart from receiving thyroid medication, one must also aim to invest in adopting a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss, exercise, including nutritious food in your diet are a few factors that improve overall health and also one’s self-esteem that can better sex drive. Knocking off a few pounds can help to balance the sex hormones, improving the libido.

Also Read: 8 Best Food for Thyroid Patients

It is advisable that you talk to your doctor about sexual problems to diagnose any real cause of your symptoms and seek early medical treatment. It hardly takes 2 minutes to ask this question, and a doctor will take even lesser to diagnose the problem if any.

Read More: Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

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