Unweaving the interaction between polycystic ovarian disease, hypothyroidism, and infertility

Objective: To observe the percentage and incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypothyroidism in infertile females and their impact on reproductive health.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in the Social Security Hospital Lahore Jan 2022 to Sep 2022 Obs and Gynae Department Hospital enrolled 43 women with an age range of 17-46 having PCOS, hypothyroidism, or both based on Rotterdam criteria (2003) and thyroid stimulating hormone assessment. Males, women without reproductive age group and having fertility treatment, chronically ill patients, and those having other thyroid disorders were excluded and data was analyzed to explore the prevalence and relationship between infertility, hypothyroidism, and PCOS.

Results

5-7% of the infertile females suffered from subclinical hypothyroidism whereas the prevalence of PCOS was greater than 70-80% of the females. 11-36% of the females diagnosed with PCOS were also found to have hypothyroidism causing infertility. The data suggested that women suffering from these conditions exhibit a greater risk of infertility, along with menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic dysfunctions.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of the coexistence of the intricately interlinked pathologies: PCOS, hypothyroidism, and infertility and how they aggravate reproductive difficulties, suggesting the need for appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.