Men: Is Your Thyroid Causing Sexual Problems?

It's common knowledge that endocrine disorders -- diabetes for example -- can have an effect on men's sexuality, and even reproduction. The connection with thyroid disease, however, has never been formally studied...until now.

In a new study released in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers reported on the connection between specific sexual problems in men and thyroid conditions -- including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism -- in those men.

The study looked at 48 adult men, 34 with hyperthyroidism and 14 with hypothyroidism. The men were evaluated for a number of common problems, including a low sex drive (hypoactive sexual desire), erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation. They were examined twice, once while symptomatic, and a second time approximately 8 to 16 weeks after their thyroid levels had returned to normal range.

The Findings

Among HYPOTHYROID men...

• Low sex drive, delayed ejaculation and erectile dysfunction was a complaint in 64.3% of men
• Premature ejaculation was a complaint in 7.1% of men

Among HYPERTHYROID men...

• Premature ejaculation was a complaint in 50% of men
• Low sex drive was a complaint in 17.6% of men
• Erectile dysfunction was a complaint in 14.7%
• Delayed ejaculation was a complaint in 2.9% of men

The Good News?

According to the researchers, proper diagnosis, and treatment to return a man to "normal" thyroid function -- known as euthyroidism -- was found to reverse most sexual symptoms in men.

MORE INFORMATION

• Low Sex Drive and Thyroid Disease
• Men Reluctant to Talk to Physicians About Low Libido

SOURCE: Carani, Cesare, et. al. "Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Sexual Symptoms in Male Hypo- and Hyperthyroid Patients," The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 90, No. 12 6472-6479

Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," and the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success." Click here for more information on Mary Shomon.