Research on the Impact of Thyroid Disorders on Reproductive Function: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Infertility, characterized by the failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, has emerged as a substantial global reproductive health challenge. According to recent epidemiological studies, this condition affects approximately 15-20% of couples within the reproductive age group worldwide. Notably, thyroid dysfunction has been identified as a significant contributing factor, being present in 5-10% of infertile couples. Although the well-established association between thyroid dysfunction and human infertility has been extensively documented in the literature, the precise underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood and continue to be a subject of ongoing scientific investigation. In this review, we comprehensively examine the current literature regarding the impact of abnormal thyroid function on reproductive health and explore potential therapeutic interventions for thyroid dysfunction-associated infertility. This analysis aims to identify promising research directions and advance treatment strategies for managing infertility related to thyroid disorders.