Many people look forward to starting a family, but infertility can prevent that from happening. Struggling to get pregnant can take its toll on your health and your relationship. You may blame yourself and not realize that a doctor can treat your infertility. Many health conditions can cause infertility. Once you get treatment for those conditions, infertility may be treated as well, and you are more likely to get pregnant. One of the most common causes of infertility concerns the thyroid. Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid. This problem can interfere with various functions in the body, including menstruation. We can determine if you are suffering from an underactive thyroid and if the condition may be causing your infertility. We can treat both problems at the same time and help you start a family.
What is Hypothyroidism?
It’s a condition that prevents the thyroid gland from functioning correctly. The thyroid gland is located in the throat. It produces a hormone that various organs in the body use. Thyroid hormones travel throughout the body and are continually produced by the thyroid when it is functioning properly. When it is not working, you do not get the amount of hormones that you need, and some organs or bodily functions may slow or shut down. This problem can lead to numerous health problems, including fertility issues in both men and women.
What Are the Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid?
It is sometimes hard to diagnose thyroid fertility issues because the symptoms mimic those of many other conditions and illnesses. Some of the most common symptoms of the disease include:
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dry skin and scalp
- Fatigue
- Swelling around the thyroid gland
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fertility issues
Can Hypothyroidism Cause Infertility?
Many women who suffer from thyroid fertility issues may have other health problems and struggle to get pregnant. The thyroid gland releases hormones that affect the menstrual cycles. If the hormone levels are low, they may not stimulate the release of the egg, which prevents ovulation. You may be aware of the effects of your thyroid disorder if you are also experiencing other menstruation issues. You may have spotting in between periods or miss them altogether. When a woman is struggling with fertility, an underactive thyroid is one of the first conditions that fertility experts check.
How is Hypothyroidism Treated?
An underactive thyroid is common, and there are treatment options. If an underactive thyroid is the suspected cause of your infertility, you need to get treatment for that before any fertility treatment can be successful. Medications are available to help stimulate the thyroid gland to help it produce the right amount of hormones. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to help restart the thyroid gland so that it can function correctly.
We will focus on treating the underlying cause of your thyroid fertility issues so that we can also manage your infertility. Once the thyroid is working correctly, we can check to see if any other health problems may be causing your infertility. If the thyroid issue is the only problem, we will continue fertility treatments to help you get pregnant. Thyroid replacement treatment in Arlington Heights is usually very successful, and many patients start to recover very quickly.
We treat a variety of infertility issues with services that include:
- In vitro fertilization
- Blastocyst culture
- Assisted hatching
- Pre-implantation genetic testing
- Embryo or egg/sperm freezing
If you are suffering from infertility, you may be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and even hopeless. We are here to help, but first, we have to determine the cause of your infertility. If you need thyroid replacement treatment in Arlington Heights for fertility issues, we will focus on treating the disease and treating your infertility at the same time. Call the Advanced Reproductive Center Arlington Heights today at 844.395.2735.
