Is Thyroid Disease Hindering Your Sexual Health?

Exploring the Thyroid's Role in Male Sexual Dysfunction

In recent years, the problem of male sexual dysfunction has emerged as a high-profile health issue. Once viewed as shameful and rarely discussed in public, erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders are now regarded simply as health problems that require treatment, no different than asthma or allergies.

One clear sign of this shift in the public's thinking about male sexual dysfunction is the fact that it's nearly impossible to watch prime-time television programming without encountering one or more commercials for erectile dysfunction treatments. It's hard to imagine this happening even a decade ago.

However, although the public's awareness of and willingness to openly discuss sexual health issues has increased considerably, the exact causes of some of these disorders remains shrouded in mystery. Many men believe that a decline in sexual performance is simply an unavoidable part of the aging process, but scientists believe that many forms of sexual dysfunction have their roots in specific -- and treatable -- medical conditions.

One little-known source of male sexual dysfunction is the thyroid gland. Recent research has indicated that fluctuations in the endocrine system of which the thyroid is a key element may impact male sexual performance. This week, we'll take a look at the thyroid's role in sexual health for men -- and what you or your partner can do to avoid these problems.

Thyroid Problems: A Hidden Threat for Older Men

Overall, thyroid diseases affect women much more frequently than men. However, as men enter late middle age, their chances of experiencing thyroid problem increases considerably. Recent studies have indicated that as many as one in ten men over the age of 60 experience some degree of fluctuation in thyroid function.

Sadly, many of these cases of thyroid dysfunction are believed to go undiagnosed. Physicians often are not attuned to the possibility that thyroid problems are more common than previously thought among older men. Furthermore, the symptoms of this type of thyroid disease are often minimal and can easily be misinterpreted as signs of other health problems.

The Thyroid Gland and Male Sexual Dysfunction

A number of recent studies have seemed to identify a strong and pervasive connection between thyroid dysfunction and sexual dysfunction in older men. Interestingly, both of the most common forms of thyroid diseases have been linked to sexual problems in men.

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive, producing an excess of thyroid hormone in the endocrine system. The most common sexual side effect linked to hyperthyroidism in men is premature ejaculation, which is not surprising, as this thyroid disorder often causes many bodily processes and systems to "speed up" unnaturally. However, some men with diagnoses of hyperthyroidism also reported diminished sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.

For older male patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the connection to sexual dysfunction was no less pervasive, although the types of symptoms that were most commonly reported differed slightly from those seen among hyperthyroid patients. For men with hypothyroidism, the most frequently cited sexual problem was a sharp decline in desire and libido. Delayed ejaculation was also a common issue among men in this group.

Treatments and Outcomes

Although reports of sexual dysfunction appear to be very common among men with thyroid disorders, the good news is that treatment of the underlying thyroid disorder typically eliminates virtually all of the related sexual symptoms. Once thyroid function has been returned to normal with hormone supplementation or other pharmaceutical treatment, most men reported that their persistent sexual problems were greatly reduced or eliminated altogether.

If you or your partner have a family history of thyroid problems, iodine deficiency, or radiation exposure, it's particularly important to stay on the lookout for signs of thyroid disease. If you have any of the common risk factors for thyroid disorders, be sure to let your doctor know that thyroid issues might be a cause for concern.

Likewise, if you or your partner have experienced otherwise unexplained sexual problems, you may want to mention the possibility of a thyroid-related cause to your physician. With a few simple blood tests, you can determine whether your thyroid is functioning properly -- and whether thyroid fluctuations could be hindering your love life.

For Further Reading

• http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/sex-drive.htm

• http://psychologytoday.com/conditions/sexarousal.html