Fact 3: Women are More Prone to Hypothyroidism
The impact of hypothyroidism isn’t evenly distributed among the sexes. Studies indicate that women are more likely to develop hypothyroidism compared to men. In fact, women are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid problems, and one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.
This discrepancy can be linked to several factors, including hormonal changes women experience throughout their lives. Pregnancy and menopause, in particular, are periods of significant hormonal fluctuation that can trigger thyroid issues. Pregnancy increases the demand for thyroid hormones, and the postpartum period can sometimes lead to inflammation of the thyroid.
Women’s immune systems are also more likely to attack their own bodies, leading to autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism. This propensity towards autoimmunity, combined with hormonal shifts, creates a sort of perfect storm for thyroid disorders in women. (3)
