Frequency of Thyroid Disorder in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women and Its Association With Menopausal Symptoms.

Abstract

Background Thyroid hormone has a significant effect on women's life. Its dysfunction is widespread, particularly among women over 50. Understanding how thyroid disease's clinical symptoms change with aging is crucial when treating peri-and postmenopausal women. Considering that 30% of India's population is female, the thyroid disease epidemic appears to affect Indian women more than any other ailment. Therefore, the main aim of the study was the detection of the frequency of thyroid disorder in pre and postmenopausal women and its association with menopausal symptoms. Methodology An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre. All premenopausal and postmenopausal women attending the obstetrics and gynaecology department above 40 years of age, achieving natural menopause, and willing to participate were included in the study. Results A total of 150 women above 40 years of age were included in the study out of which 61 females were premenopausal age and 89 females were postmenopausal age. It was found that 53.3% were euthyroid, 13.3% had hypothyroidism, 3.4% had hyperthyroid, 23.3% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 6.7% had subclinical hyperthyroidism. Menopausal symptoms when compared to thyroid disorder demonstrated that somatic symptoms did not differ significantly across different thyroid disorder, psychological symptoms consisting of depressive mood was more prevalent among hypothyroid and hyperthyroid female (P<0.05), and urogenital symptoms consisting of sexual problems and bladder dysfunction did not differ significantly (P>0.05) in different thyroid disorder. Conclusion The present study concludes that thyroid disorder is common among pre- and postmenopausal age group women. Therefore, timely detection and intervention should be taken into consideration, and even if the thyroid level is found to be normal still lifestyle modification and counselling can help in improving the quality of life.