Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe ConnectionDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Connection
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
This article discusses sexual problems associated with thyroid disease. It explains how thyroid disease can lead to erectile dysfunction and other problems. It also provides helpful coping strategies for maintaining intimacy when thyroid conditions lead to sexual dysfunction.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Thyroid Disease and Sexual Health
The thyroid gland produces hormones that influence virtually every cell, organ, and system in the body.
How Thyroid Disease Affects Females
Women with thyroid disease may experience:
How Symptoms of Hypothyroidism and Menopause Overlap
How Thyroid Disease Effects Males
Men with thyroid diseasemay experience:
The Impact of Thyroid Disease on Men’s Sexual Health
Diagnosing Thyroid-Related Sexual Issues
If you’re experiencing some type of sexual dysfunction, your healthcare provider may want to do a thyroid evaluation. This will include a blood test to measure your levels of thyroid hormone.
A 2018 study looking at ED and subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated thyroid stimulating hormone and normal free thyroid hormone) found that a significant number of men with erectile dysfunction also had the thyroid condition. The authors recommended thyroid evaluations in men with ED for this reason.
Treatment for sexual dysfunction related to thyroid disease may involve starting or making changes to thyroid medication, treating the sexual issue directly, or both.
Thyroid Medications
Two of the most commonly prescribed drugs for hypothyroidism are levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the T4 thyroid hormone thyroxine, and liothyronine, a synthetic form of the T3 thyroid hormone triiodothyronine.
Levothyroxine is sold under the names Synthroid, Tirosint, and others. Liothyronine is sold under the name Cytomel. Both drugs are also available as generics.
In studies, men with sexual dysfunction problems who also had hypothyroidism experienced improvement in their sexual symptoms after levothyroxine and liothyronine.
A person who already is taking thyroid medication may have improvements in sexual function after their treatment is tweaked.
Erectile Dysfunction Medications
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PD-5) inhibitors are effective for treating erectile dysfunction and do not interact with thyroid treatments. These medications include:
Relieving Vaginal Dryness
Osphena (ospemifene) is a hormonal treatment for postmenopausal women. It targets changes in the vagina that can cause dryness and painful intercourse. It’s safe for women with thyroid disease to take.
Vaginal dryness also can be managed with an over-the-countervaginal lubricantsuch as Replens.
If you’re being treated with levothyroxine and are having sexual issues, it may help to talk to your healthcare provider or endocrinologist about adjusting your dosage.
Is There a Female Viagra?
A full and satisfying sex life can be a vital component of overall health and well-being, not to mention a happy personal relationship.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Maggi M, Buvat J, Corona G, Guay A, Torres LO.Hormonal causes of male sexual dysfunctions and their management (hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders, GH disorders, and DHEA).J Sex Med. 2013;10(3):661-677. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02735.xKrysiak R, Marek B, Okopień B.Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young men with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine/liothyronine combination therapy.Endokrynol Pol. 2018;69(1):16-22. doi:10.5603/EP.a2018.0005Tannenbaum J, Youssef M, Attia AS, Hsieh TC, Raheem O.Hyperthyroidism as an underlying cause of premature ejaculation.Sex Med Rev. 2022;10(1):108-112. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.005Gabrielson AT, Sartor RA, Hellstrom WJG.The impact of thyroid disease on sexual dysfunction in men and women.Sex Med Rev. 2019;7(1):57-70. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.05.002Chen D, Yan Y, Huang H, Dong Q, Tian H.The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and erectile dysfunction.Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(3):621-625. doi:10.12669/pjms.343.14330
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Maggi M, Buvat J, Corona G, Guay A, Torres LO.Hormonal causes of male sexual dysfunctions and their management (hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders, GH disorders, and DHEA).J Sex Med. 2013;10(3):661-677. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02735.xKrysiak R, Marek B, Okopień B.Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young men with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine/liothyronine combination therapy.Endokrynol Pol. 2018;69(1):16-22. doi:10.5603/EP.a2018.0005Tannenbaum J, Youssef M, Attia AS, Hsieh TC, Raheem O.Hyperthyroidism as an underlying cause of premature ejaculation.Sex Med Rev. 2022;10(1):108-112. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.005Gabrielson AT, Sartor RA, Hellstrom WJG.The impact of thyroid disease on sexual dysfunction in men and women.Sex Med Rev. 2019;7(1):57-70. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.05.002Chen D, Yan Y, Huang H, Dong Q, Tian H.The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and erectile dysfunction.Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(3):621-625. doi:10.12669/pjms.343.14330
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Maggi M, Buvat J, Corona G, Guay A, Torres LO.Hormonal causes of male sexual dysfunctions and their management (hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders, GH disorders, and DHEA).J Sex Med. 2013;10(3):661-677. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02735.xKrysiak R, Marek B, Okopień B.Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young men with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine/liothyronine combination therapy.Endokrynol Pol. 2018;69(1):16-22. doi:10.5603/EP.a2018.0005Tannenbaum J, Youssef M, Attia AS, Hsieh TC, Raheem O.Hyperthyroidism as an underlying cause of premature ejaculation.Sex Med Rev. 2022;10(1):108-112. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.005Gabrielson AT, Sartor RA, Hellstrom WJG.The impact of thyroid disease on sexual dysfunction in men and women.Sex Med Rev. 2019;7(1):57-70. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.05.002Chen D, Yan Y, Huang H, Dong Q, Tian H.The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and erectile dysfunction.Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(3):621-625. doi:10.12669/pjms.343.14330
Maggi M, Buvat J, Corona G, Guay A, Torres LO.Hormonal causes of male sexual dysfunctions and their management (hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders, GH disorders, and DHEA).J Sex Med. 2013;10(3):661-677. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02735.x
Krysiak R, Marek B, Okopień B.Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young men with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine/liothyronine combination therapy.Endokrynol Pol. 2018;69(1):16-22. doi:10.5603/EP.a2018.0005
Tannenbaum J, Youssef M, Attia AS, Hsieh TC, Raheem O.Hyperthyroidism as an underlying cause of premature ejaculation.Sex Med Rev. 2022;10(1):108-112. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.005
Gabrielson AT, Sartor RA, Hellstrom WJG.The impact of thyroid disease on sexual dysfunction in men and women.Sex Med Rev. 2019;7(1):57-70. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.05.002
Chen D, Yan Y, Huang H, Dong Q, Tian H.The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and erectile dysfunction.Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(3):621-625. doi:10.12669/pjms.343.14330
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