Unfortunately, fertility issues are on the rise, and many couples trying to conceive are going through the struggle of trying to diagnose where the issue is. Many global trends only accelerate this statistic. Poor diet, stress, inadequate sleep, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles are just a few of the things that affect fertility. With so many potential causes, sometimes finding the correct root of modern-day health conditions can be difficult.
Thyroid imbalance is an often-overlooked but common reason for infertility. Unlike conventional health care, a systems-based approach can address the root of the problem, and not just treat symptoms that arise from this hormonal imbalance. With our whole-body diagnosis in Downey, CA, functional medicine experts can help you find the root of thyroid hormone disruption that could be behind your fertility problems.
Can your thyroid affect your fertility?
The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that are essential for controlling your metabolism, energy, and plenty of other bodily functions. As for fertility, it’s important to note that the thyroid gland produces T3 and T4 hormones, which are linked to ovulation, menstrual cycles, and healthy uterine lining, and a whole lot of other bodily functions.
The human body is a complex wonder of nature, but this also means that a slight disruption can affect more than we realize.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid levels occur when not enough T3 and T4 hormones are produced. The leading causes are low iodine levels, stress, or an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid and leads to lower thyroid function later on. An underactive thyroid can lead to plenty of fertility problems, from infrequent periods to premature birth and risk of miscarriage.
Hyperthyroidism
At the same time, high thyroid activity can wreak havoc on your body and put your reproductive function in disbalance and disruption. Graves’ disease is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism. Even if your hormones are now within acceptable levels, it’s important to consult with your doctor, as this can affect you and your baby even during pregnancy. Here are some ways in which overactive thyroid function may affect fertility:
- Interrupted menstrual cycles
- Reduced egg quality
- Premature ovarian failure
- Miscarriage and preterm labor
- Reduction of sperm count in men
Looking beneath the surface
While conventional medicine often stops at checking thyroid levels and prescribing hormones, a whole-body approach to health aims to explore deeper under the surface and discover what is causing the imbalance to begin with.
Our body is an ecosystem of many hormones, cells, and microbes that work together to keep our health in optimal condition. However, a slight disturbance in this network can cause conditions that might not be obvious at first glance, such as fertility issues.
Our external environment is just as important as our inner gut bacteria, hormone balance, and proper nutrition. And that is why a personalized systems-based approach using natural and science-backed techniques can restore thyroid hormonal balance, and bring your overall quality of life up.
Who in Downey and the rest of CA provides functional medicine?
At Oasis Healing Arts, our mission is to help people reach parenthood with personalized, whole-body healing that will restore their overall health and quality of life. With laboratory testing, organic nutrition, and therapies designed with your mind and body well-being in consideration, we will get right to the root cause and address underlying conditions.
Additionally, you can rely on our medical expertise in addressing adrenal hormone fatigue and how to balance it, discovering the effects and treatment of estrogen dominance, and restoring the balance in your HPA axis with root-cause healing. Whether you live close to the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey or nearby in CA, we are just a quick visit away. Schedule your appointment today!