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Living with hypothyroidism can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs that affect more than just your energy levels. Ups and downs are also common in sex drive and can put a damper on intimacy. In general, 4 in 10 women report having sexual dysfunction at some point in their life. Sexual issues can mean a variety of things, including a lack of interest in sex or a lack of sexual arousal.

But fear not! We’ll discuss three surprising ways to turn up the heat, even when you have a sluggish thyroid.

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Knowing your risk for thyroid disease can help you stay in front of complications. Learn in this guide how genes impact your risk for hypothyroidism.

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Low libido can stem from a variety of factors. One common cause of the loss of sex drive is hormonal changes, such as fluctuations in levels of your sex hormones, specifically estrogen and testosterone. Appropriate and balanced levels of these hormones are essential for sexual function and arousal.

Hormonal fluctuations can occur during different stages of an individual’s life. And these fluctuations can significantly influence your sex drive. For example, estrogen levels decrease during perimenopause and menopause. This can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, which can cause a decrease in sex drive. Similarly, hormonal imbalances caused by conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can also impact sexual functioning. 

Psychological factors can also play a significant role in low libido. Stress, anxiety, past trauma, and depression can all contribute to a decreased interest in sex. Relationship issues can also dampen sexual desire and may include:

• Communication problems
• Unresolved conflicts
• Lack of emotional intimacy

Additionally, lifestyle factors can influence a person’s libido. Poor sleep quality, fatigue, and lack of exercise can contribute to low energy levels and decreased interest in sex. Certain medications, including antidepressants or birth control pills, may also have side effects that affect libido. Furthermore, alcohol, smoking, and other health conditions can interfere with sexual function, reducing desire as well.

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Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and overall body function, including sexual health. More than half of those with overt hypothyroidism report low libido compared to the general population.

When thyroid hormone levels are low, it can lead to a variety of symptoms that contribute to decreased libido. Fatigue and low energy levels are common in hypothyroidism and can leave you feeling too tired or unmotivated for sexual activity. Hypothyroidism can also cause weight gain, muscle weakness, and joint pain, which can affect self-esteem and body image, further reducing sexual desire.

Hypothyroidism can also influence your ability to perform during sexual activity. Researchers believe hypothyroidism may reduce blood flow to the genital area, which is needed for sexual desire in both men and women. For example, nearly 30% of men with subclinical hypothyroidism have erectile dysfunction, according to a 2018 study.

Moreover, hypothyroidism can cause other hormonal imbalances in the body. As the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increases, prolactin levels also increase. Prolactin is a hormone best known for its role in stimulating milk production. According to a 2021 review, people with overt hypothyroidism had higher prolactin levels than those of the general population. Higher prolactin levels can have adverse effects on sex hormone levels and other neurochemicals like dopamine in the brain that are needed for sexual desire. Similarly, low thyroid hormone levels can also lead to imbalances in estrogen and testosterone levels. These imbalances can cause changes to the menstrual cycle, vaginal dryness, and decreased sensitivity, factors that can contribute to reduced libido.

Lastly, untreated hypothyroidism can also lead to depression and anxiety. As mentioned earlier, mood-related symptoms can dampen sexual desire and pleasure.

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THYROID GUIDE

Stress 101: How to Avoid a Flare-Up

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There are several evidence-based interventions proven to improve sexual desire and sexual function, including:

• Correcting underlying hormonal imbalances
• Managing stress
• Participating in cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based practices
• Switching medications

Paloma Health teamed up with Dr. Lyndsey Harper from Rosy, the first research-based technology solution for women with low libido, to share three surprising strategies to boost your libido.

Exercise for desire

Researchers have found that people who exercise for 20 minutes before having sex have more desire and overall improved sexual function. Exercise improves desire in four essential ways:

• Improves self-esteem
• Increases blood flow to the genitals
• Boosts mood
• Reduces stress

Don’t worry; you don’t need to start training for a triathlon. Start small by exercising 15 minutes each day and choose a time close to when you want to be intimate.

Sex before dishes

Sounds crazy, right? But it’s not! Prioritizing sex before dishes (and the other chores that life throws at you) can help boost libido by changing the environment and headspace you’re in before intimacy.

In our culture, intimacy is often expected to come at the very end of a long and exhausting day. For those of you who are already low on energy, the last thing you may want to do is have sex at the end of the day. This can lead to a cycle that includes your partner wanting intimacy, you feeling annoyed or even angry and refusing, and then your partner feeling rejected and unfulfilled. This cycle can lead to longer-term communication and intimacy issues, and it is best resolved right away.

The best way to restore intimacy is to find other times in the day when you have more energy to initiate intimacy with your partner. This might be very early in the morning, on a lunch break, while your kids are still at school or doing other activities — but definitely before the dishes!

Erotica helps!

Remember Fabio? He and his flowing blond locks graced the covers of many romance novels beloved by women of all ages. Interestingly, these types of books can play a role in libido!

Research shows that women often need to be aroused before they have feelings of desire. Erotic books, videos, and audio programs are proven tools to increase arousal and get you in the mood faster. Wondering where to start? Rosy has a library of customizable sex-positive erotica for women who want to increase their desire.

Erotica can help open your mind to new ideas and bring sex to the front of your mind. Dr. Harper recommends reading erotic stories with your partner before you want to be intimate. This can increase arousal and the desire for sex, help you discover new fantasies, and improve sexual communication in your relationship.

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Low sexual desire can significantly impact your sexual and overall health.

If you are experiencing low libido, an essential first step is checking your thyroid levels. (A simple and convenient way to do this is with the Paloma Complete Thyroid Home Test Kit, which evaluates TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and TPO antibodies.) With thyroid results in hand, your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis, or adjust your medication, if necessary, to optimize your thyroid function.

Note: Our Paloma Health care team of thyroid-savvy providers is ready to help guide you through the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of hypothyroidism to restore thyroid function and resolve symptoms, including low libido.

It’s also essential to address contributing factors by making dietary changes, managing stress, getting regular physician activity, and working with healthcare practitioners. 

Finally, Dr. Harper wants to remind everyone that progress takes time. Regaining sexual desire is similar to fitness -- you have to decide to prioritize it again and again and practice what you learn over time.

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