The Affects of Graves Disease on the Menstrual Cycle

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Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is too active. Resulting in hyperthyroidism, this condition is also referred to as toxic diffuse goiter. Excess thyroid hormones are released into the body, and many serious side effects can occur. These include but are not limited to weight loss, sweating, heart palpitations, an intolerance to heat and tremors. One system that is greatly affected is the reproductive system and menstrual cycle.
Graves Disease is most common in child-bearing age women between 20 and 40. Most women have their menstrual cycle at this point, and they may see changes. According to Livestrong, it can affect your cycle in various ways. The thyroxine hormone can play a large part in this.
The exact way that Graves Disease affects a women’s menstrual cycle varies between women. A lot of patients find that their period become lighter. It may become irregular and not occur at specific intervals. Women who were once able to easily predict when their period would come may find that it comes much less or later.
Alternatively some women find that they bleed more because of their condition. They may also bleed in between periods as well. It can be difficult to plan for your cycle.
With the changes in your menstrual cycle, it can be difficult to conceive if you have Graves Disease. You will have more trouble predicting when ovulation occurs and what the optimal days to get pregnant are.
If you do become pregnant it is very important to share your medical condition with your physician. Because Graves Disease can affect your menstrual cycle and reproductive system, a pregnancy can change these hormones even more. He or she will monitor your blood work closely and make adjustments as necessary. If the thyroid levels are not monitored adequately, the danger for miscarriage rises.
Because of the impact Graves Disease can have on the menstrual cycle as well as a woman’s health in general, it is important for women to be aware of the symptoms and get help if they have any reason to believe that they may suffer from the disease. Simple bloodwork can help test for the disease, which is then treatable with medication, radioactive iodine and surgery. If it is left untreated it can even cause the life-threatening condition, thyrotoxic storm. With treatment, many of the symptoms including those affecting the menstrual cycle can be alleviated.