Hyperthyroid

Content written by Richard Sadovsky, MD

Greater appreciation for the role of the thyroid gland on sexual health has been realized in the last several years. As such, most doctors and patients are unaware of the possibility that sexual problems can be the result of abnormal thyroid states and that treatment of the thyroid condition would restore the sexual function without any need for traditional treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors.

Hyperthyroidism affects sexual function. Men who have hyperthyroidism associated erectile dysfunction have been shown to restore their sexual function with treatment of the thyroid state, independent of other erectile dysfunction treatment strategies. It is very common that men who have hyperthyroidism and erectile dysfunction also have premature ejaculation and limited quality orgasm.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with a constellation of symptoms such as feeling hotter than others around you, losing weight despite eating more, trouble sleeping even though fatigued, trembling hands, heart palpitations, irritability and a tendency to become easily upset.

Laboratory testing starts with assessment of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Should this be abnormally low, confirmation with more sophisticated tests are indicated. Efforts should be made to understand the cause of the hyperthyroidism.