How does hypothyroidism cause menorrhagia

That's because high TRH triggers prolactin production. Too much prolactin interferes with the ovaries' ability to produce estrogen, thereby interfering with your menstrual cycles. Since the lack of thyroid hormone can prevent ovulation, having hypothyroidism can make it difficult to get pregnant. Moreover, people with hypothyroidism who are pregnant have an increased risk of miscarrying during the first trimester.

The upside is that treatment with thyroid hormone replacement medication levothyroxine may improve infertility and lower the risk of pregnancy loss. That said, some people who use thyroid medication continue to experience abnormal periods.

Thyroid conditions can have an impact on your menstrual cycles. Symptoms may range from heavy and frequent periods to irregular and absent cycles. These symptoms are due to how thyroid hormones impact reproductive hormone production. As such, menstrual irregularities could also affect fertility and pregnancy.

While a change in your menstrual cycle may be the first clue to a thyroid disorder, remember that there are many other potential causes. So while unusual periods may be a possible clue to an underlying thyroid condition, it's always best to contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation. They will be able to find the underlying cause. Losing weight with thyroid disease can be a struggle. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Sign up and get yours free! Gude D. Thyroid and its indispensability in fertility.

J Hum Reprod Sci. Menstrual disturbances ijn various thyroid diseases. Endocr J. Effect of hypothyroidism on female reproductive hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The oligomenorrhea and menorrhagia are the prevalent bleeding types.

Thyroid hormones assessment should be taken in consideration in assessment of women with abnormal uterine bleeding. J Midlife Health 3 2 : Talukdar B, Mahela S Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: Correlation with sonographic findings and histopathological examination of hysterectomy specimens. J Midlife Health 7 2 : Am J Obstet Gynecol 4 : Karbala Journal of Medicine 10 3 : J Obstet Gynaecol India 66 2 : Journal of Advance Researches in Medical Sciences 5 1 : Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology 14 1 : Int J Res Med Sci 3 11 : Mansourian AR Female reproductive physiology adversely manipulated by thyroid disorders: A review of literature.

Pak J Biol Sci 16 3 : Sharma N, Sharma A Thyroid profile in menstrual disorders. JK Science 14 1 : Karbala Journal of Medicine 2 3 : Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences 15 1 : Liu Z, Doan QV, Blumenthal P, Dubois RW A systematic review evaluating health related quality of life, work impairment and health care costs and its utilization in abnormal uterine bleeding.

Value Health 10 3 : Our Media Partner. This is a problem, because you need GnRH to produce follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in your pituitary gland. These hormones are important for normal ovarian function, and when hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in their levels, menstrual irregularities may occur, says Dr.

Hypothyroidism can put the brakes on ovulation — a phenomenon known as anovulation — resulting in heavy periods. Changes in prolactin levels can lead to thinning of the uterine lining and changes in how the pituitary gland controls the ovaries; both can result in periods stopping completely, says Dr. Women of reproductive age with hypothyroidism may experience heavy periods, absent periods, or irregular periods, says McConnell, and the symptoms of menstrual irregularities will depend on the severity of the hypothyroidism.

Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to other complications , such as anemia , low body temperature , and heart disease. If you have menstrual irregularities, you should seek medical attention if your flow is heavy for more than 24 hours, your periods are more frequent than 21 days, or your periods stopped for more than three months and you are not pregnant , says McConnell.

Start tracking today. Heavy menstrual bleeding can affect up to 1 in 4 women 1. To visualize this, 80 mL equates to 16 fully soaked regular tampons, or eight fully soaked super-tampons over all the days of your period, or repeatedly soaking through a pad or tampon every two hours. If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding, please see your healthcare provider. They will likely conduct investigations to determine the cause of your heavy bleeding.

Tip: Progesterone thins the uterine lining and prevents heavy menstrual flow 3. Another possible cause of heavy periods is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid 4, 5. Tip: The thyroid gland is located in the front of the throat and makes thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism.