Thyroid Issues In Women: Why Women Are at Higher Risk

The thyroid is a minute, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, near the throat. But what does the thyroid do in a woman? Despite its small size, the thyroid in women plays an important role in regulating the body’s overall health as well as metabolism. 

Why Women Are at Higher Risk to Thyroid Problems?

While researchers aren’t certain why thyroid in females is more common, it’s understood that autoimmune conditions, which are far more common in women than men, could be an important causal factor. 

The prevalence of thyroid-related health conditions is 0.5–4% in iodine-replete communities, and it is 5–10 times [1] higher in women than in men. Also Thyroid diseases are often due to autoimmune responses, where the body's immune system attacks its own cells. These conditions are more common in women, with factors like genetics and hormones playing a role. This gender difference is essential to consider when addressing thyroid health in women.[2]

Another reason for more occurrences of thyroid disease in women is that there is a link between the body’s fluctuating hormones during menstruation and the thyroid hormones. That said, thyroid symptoms in women can surface at any time in their lives, including during menopause and while they are ageing, as well. [3]

How Common Are Thyroid Problems in Women?

Thyroid issues in women are very common. While it can happen to anyone, thyroid effects in females are more significant. In fact, research indicates that one in eight women will suffer from a thyroid-related problem at some point in their lives. Essentially, the risk for thyroid problems in women is about 10 times as high as men's [4], causing more risk.

Thyroid Disorders and Their Effects on Women's Health

The thyroid gland’s functions have a lot to do with a woman’s reproductive system. The imbalance in the hormones produced by the gland can have thyroid side effects in females. Here are some of them, divided in terms of life stages:

• During puberty and menstruation: When young girls suffer from thyroid problems, they are more susceptible to having early or abnormally late puberty and menstruation. Young girls with thyroid issues can also suffer from irregular or even absent periods.  

• During reproduction: An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can also affect ovulation, which is the process by which the egg is released for fertilisation. The symptoms of thyroid in females could also prevent ovulation from occurring. 

• During pregnancy and postpartum: Thyroid issues that surface during pregnancy can, in fact, harm the foetus and result in health conditions in the women such as postpartum thyroiditis. A deficiency of the thyroid hormone can result in miscarriages, premature deliveries, postpartum haemorrhage, and stillbirth. 

• Menopause: Thyroid In Women can also occur during early menopause, which for most women happens before the age of 40 or in their early 40s. Often, the symptoms of thyroid in females, especially if it is overactive, are confused with the symptoms of early menopause. 

A TSH test will indicate whether one really has thyroid issues and help doctors address the symptoms accordingly. 

What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Females?

The occurrence and severity of thyroid symptoms in females can vary widely. Also, thyroid imbalance symptoms in females vary based on whether one has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. 

Some of the hyperthyroidism symptoms in females, which happen when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body include: