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YB WEB DESK. Dated: 11/30/2020 2:24:36 PM

WOMEN FA C E THYROID

Your thyroid is a small butterfly- shaped gland found at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. This gland makes thyroid hormone that travels in your blood to all parts of your body. The thyroid hormone controls your body's metabolism in many ways, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. Women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease. One in eight women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime. In women, thyroid diseases can cause: • Problems with your menstrual period. Your thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular. Thyroid disease also can cause your periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. If your body's immune system causes thyroid disease, other glands, including your ovaries, may be involved. This can lead to early menopause (before age 40). • Problems getting pregnant. When thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects ovulation. This can make it harder for you to get pregnant. • Problems during pregnancy. Thyroid problems during pregnancy can cause health problems for the mother and the baby. Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for menopause symptoms. Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause. Yes. You may want to talk to your doctor about getting tested if you: • Had a thyroid problem in the past • Had surgery or radiotherapy affecting the thyroid gland • Have a condition such as goiter, anemia, or type 1 diabetes Screening for thyroid disease is not recommended for most women Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones. It is also called underactive thyroid. This slows down many of your body's functions, like your metabolism.