Thyroid disorders are emerging as a hidden factor behind infertility in urban women, warn Bengaluru-based experts

A growing number of urban women dealing with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, failed attempts to conceive and repeated miscarriages may be unknowingly suffering from thyroid disorders, fertility experts in Bengaluru have warned.

Doctors said thyroid dysfunction is often overlooked because of its vague symptoms, but is increasingly being linked to reproductive health complications in women in their 20s and 30s, especially in metropolitan cities where stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles are common.

Vidya V. Bhat, gynaecologist, IVF specialist and medical director of Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, said that thyroid-related fertility problems are seen more frequently in clinical practice.

“Many women come to us after years of trying to conceive or after repeated miscarriages, not realizing that the underlying cause may be a simple thyroid imbalance,” said Dr. Bhat.

She noted that symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, anxiety, mood swings, irregular periods and poor sleep are often mistaken for stress-related problems among working women, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

Even among the urban poor

N. Venkatesh, a National Board of Examination (NBE) professor and head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the state-run Jayanagar General Hospital, said that thyroid disorders are increasingly being detected even among urban poor women attending government hospitals, although many cases remain undiagnosed initially.

“Symptoms are often subtle and may not become apparent until women are experiencing infertility, repeated miscarriages, or severe menstrual irregularities,” said Dr. Venkatesh.

He emphasized that thyroid testing is essential for women who have fertility or menstrual problems. “If we only treat symptoms, such as light periods or excessive bleeding, without evaluating thyroid function, we may miss the root cause,” he said.

About 20 of the nearly 120 women who visit Jayanagar General Hospital’s OBG outpatient department daily seek treatment related to fertility issues, often requiring thyroid tests or specialist referrals.

Dr. Venkatesh pointed out that advanced thyroid-related fertility tests are not available in many government hospitals and primary health centres, forcing economically vulnerable patients to seek referrals from tertiary care institutions such as Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute.

It is related to the reproductive system

Doctors explained that thyroid hormones play a key role in follicular development, ovulation and preparing the uterus for implantation. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can interfere with fertility by disrupting ovulation, affecting egg quality, delaying implantation, and increasing the risk of pregnancy.

Anupama Ashok, Senior Consultant and Fertility Expert at Motherhood Fertility and IVF, Hebbal, said thyroid hormones are closely related to the body’s reproductive hormone system.

“The disruption can lead to problems with ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles, implantation failure and difficulty maintaining a pregnancy, leading to early miscarriages,” said Dr. Ashok.

Risk of recurrent miscarriages

Arunima Haldar, consultant in IVF and reproductive medicine at Manipal Hospital Whitefield and Varthur, said silent thyroid disorders can go undetected and only manifest as infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

She also warned that untreated thyroid disorders during pregnancy can increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage, premature birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension and developmental problems in children.

Early diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and lifestyle modification can help many women conceive naturally and have a healthy pregnancy. They now advocate for routine thyroid screening during fertility evaluations and preconception counseling, especially for women with irregular periods, PCOS, infertility, previous miscarriages, or a family history of thyroid disorders.

Published – 21 May 2026 21:52 IST