Hypothyroidism or PCOS has a major impact on a person’s overall health and well-being. Insufficient thyroid hormone secretion can trigger a domino effect or a series of reactions, which will affect your quality of life.
Hypothyroidism is not only related to the thyroid itself but also has other complications. In this case, there are many. One of these possible complications is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which will be discussed in this article. Scroll down to see if there is a relationship between Hypothyroidism and PCOS.
You see, there is a close connection between polycystic ovary syndrome and Hypothyroidism. And the symptoms of the two can overlap and look similar. You may have taken all the correct measures to control your PCOS but have not seen any results because you may have a potential thyroid problem that needs to be addressed first. So, let’s find out what the link is and how to check the stage of your thyroid.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Reproductive hormone dysfunction and imbalance are the main causes of polycystic ovary syndrome and one common disease in women of childbearing age. A study shows that about 10% to 12% of women worldwide suffer from PCOS. So don’t think you are the only one.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is controlled by another gland in the brain: the pituitary gland (this is important because the pituitary gland may be the link between PCOS and Hypothyroidism). If your thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormones, it is in a state of insufficient activity and known as Hypothyroidism. Let’s take a look at some symptoms:
- Weight gain exercise
- Slow thinking
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Dry eyes/husky
- Hoarse voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hair loss, especially the outer third of the eyebrows
- Dry skin
- Muscle and joint pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
Okay, now that we have a better understanding of Hypothyroidism, let’s take a look at the connection between Hypothyroidism and PCOS.
What is the relationship between PCOS and Hypothyroidism?
When your thyroid gland cannot produce enough hormones, Hypothyroidism occurs. As many as a quarter of women with PCOS suffer from Hypothyroidism. There are three different causes/forms of Hypothyroidism:
- The thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone
- An autoimmune thyroid disease that attacks the thyroid known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Low T3 syndrome
Hypothyroidism causes an increase in androgens, and androgens are the main cause of PCOS. This sex hormone disorder can cause infertility. Studies have shown that as many as 25% of women with infertility or recurrent miscarriage suffer from Hypothyroidism.
Now let us see!
How To Get Pregnant With Hypothyroidism And PCOS
Lose weight to restart ovulation
Many (but not all) women with Hypothyroidism and PCOS are struggling with obesity. This is because PCOS can negatively affect how your body processes insulin, leading to weight gain.
One of the main reasons why women with PCOS cannot get pregnant is non-ovulation or irregular ovulation. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are overweight are more likely to experience more severe anovulation, spending months between menstruation. Studies have found that losing some weight can restore ovulation. According to research, losing 5% to 10% of your current weight may be enough to start your menstrual cycle.
Unfortunately, there is not much evidence that weight loss helps you conceive. You may still need fertility drugs. Losing weight is not easy for anyone, and it may be even more difficult for people with polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, not all women with PCOS are overweight. If this is your situation, weight loss is not a solution to help fertility.
Diet, exercise With Hypothyroidism And PCOS.
<img src=”
” alt=””/
A healthy diet is important for women with Hypothyroidism And PCOS. This is partly due to the increased risk of being overweight and partly due to their body’s problems with regulating insulin. Is there a more suitable diet for Hypothyroidism and PCOS? This is a controversial issue. Some studies claim that a low-carbohydrate diet is best, but other studies have not found the advantage of low-carbohydrate.
The most important thing is to ensure that your diet is rich in foods with sufficient nutrients and protein, as well as low-sugar foods. Avoiding junk food and processed food is your best choice.
A study found that women who exercise regularly have a 5% lower risk of infertility than women who do not exercise at all. However, excessive exercise can increase inflammation in the body, which is harmful to fertility. For best results, try moderate-intensity exercise 3-5 days a week.
Medications
Medications may be needed. High androgen levels can interfere with healthy ovulation. If healthy eggs are not released during ovulation, women will not be able to get pregnant. Many women with Hypothyroidism and PCOS cannot get pregnant without the help of ovulation drugs. These drugs can help women ovulate and become pregnant. Women can work with a doctor or fertility specialist to find the most effective correct dosage and type of medication.
Reducing stress
Maintaining stress can be challenging when dealing with infertility. But long-term stress can negatively affect hormones and fertility. Too much stress can cause cortisol levels to rise, which can trigger a surge in insulin. People struggling with stress can benefit from talk therapy, meditation, exercise, or contact with loved ones.
Try assisted reproductive technology.
If ovulation drugs do not improve fertility, women may benefit from assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Studies have found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who receive IVF treatment have the same success rate as women without the disease. Usually, doctors will start with medication and lifestyle changes to improve fertility. If these interventions are not successful, they will recommend ART as an option.
Surgery options
If other treatment options are unsuccessful, women with Hypothyroidism and PCOS can have surgery to stimulate fertility. Surgery called ovarian drilling is a treatment that triggers ovulation. Although ovarian drilling is not always necessary, studies have found that as many as 50% of women who undergo ovarian drilling can become pregnant in the first year after surgery.
Reversing any insulin resistance
Women with PCOS have insulin resistance problems, which means their blood sugar levels rise and insulin levels rise, which increases their risk of pregnancy problems. Doctors can prescribe metformin to help, but this drug has many side effects that need to be considered. First, try to remove sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet to ensure that you eat enough protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You will see a drop in blood sugar and insulin levels. Inositol is effective in treating insulin resistance in some women with PCOS.
Conclusion:
Don’t lose hope; PCOS affects nearly 10% of women in India. Although this situation can complicate pregnancy, it is not impossible to have children. Women with Hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome who wish to become pregnant can consult a doctor at Ziva Infertility Clinic for diagnosis and treatment options. You may need to maintain a healthy weight, balance blood sugar levels, and treat other PCOS symptoms with healthy lifestyle changes and medications.
The success rate is optimistic. Over time, you may smile, and the pregnancy test on your hands will be positive. Contact Ziva Infertility Clinic at ++91-9392834024, ++91-9100002737.
