Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease that has an impact on every system. Initially, the infection can lead to skin rashes and flu-like symptoms. In the later stages, the bacteria can penetrate into the cells/tissues and affect the nervous system. Can Lyme disease affect your hormones?
Lyme disease can mimic other autoimmune conditions, leading to diagnostic errors. It can affect your endocrine and gastrointestinal systems. In this blog, we will explore how Lyme disease alters your internal equilibrium and leads to hormonal fluctuations. We will also understand the correlation between Lyme disease and sex drive.
What is a hormone?
Hormones can be defined as the chemical messengers released into the blood circulation that act on different parts of the body. Your endocrine system comprises receptors, glands, and hormones that monitor the biological processes, including the growth of nervous system, brain, and reproductive system. They also play a major role in regulating the metabolism and blood glucose levels. Endocrine glands are responsible for the production of hormones.
| Endocrine glands |
| Pituitary gland |
| Pineal gland |
| Thymus gland |
| Thyroid gland |
| Adrenal gland |
| Pancreas |
Apart from these glands, male hormones are produced in the testes and female hormones in the ovaries.
Functions of hormones:
- Monitoring of blood pressure
- Maintenance of electrolyte balance
- Regulation of body temperature
- Controls the sleep-wake cycle
What is the impact of Lyme disease on hormones?
It is important to understand how Lyme disease affects your endocrine system. Let’s understand how the infection impacts various systems of the body.
Adrenal gland dysfunction:
Lyme disease can lead to emotional distress that affects your endocrine system. Your adrenal gland is responsible for secreting hormones, such as cortisol, aldosterone, etc. During extreme mental stress, your adrenal gland can switch to flight/fight mode.
The elevation in these hormones affects the body’s functions, particularly sleep. Adrenal fatigue can also result from increased levels of cortisol. This can lead to clinical depression and dysfunction of the cognitive system.
Reproductive system:
Lyme disease can lead to reproductive changes in both males and females. Due to the hormonal fluctuations, the clinical symptoms can rise during periods. In men, Lyme disease can lower testosterone levels (male hormone). Due to inflammation, males show a reduced response to treatment.
Clinical symptoms in males:
- Lower energy levels
- Sleep problems
- Loss of memory
- Anxiety
Thyroid gland:
Lyme disease can cause an increase in cytokines that impact the inflammatory markers in the thyroid gland. When adrenal glands become overactive or underactive, thyroid issues can occur. Some patients also suffer from autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Clinical features:
- Swelling around the ankle region
- Scalloping of the tongue
- Lower body temperature, particularly in the morning
- Swelling around the eye area
- Memory issues
- Weight gain
How are Lyme disease and sex drive related?
The chronic symptoms of Lyme disease can result in loss of sexual function. This can have an impact on the relationship between partners. The bacteria, “Borrelia burgdorferi”, can cause the dysfunction of the pathways, that affect the ability for sex, pleasure and bonding. Lyme disease can cause a change in sexual attractions. Patients often exhibited sexual obsessions and hallucinations.
- Lyme disease can cause an imbalance of hormones, like estrogen, testosterone, etc. This can result in irregular periods, erectile dysfunction, and reduced libido.
- When the bacteria crosses the blood-brain barrier, brain fog and fatigue can occur. These signs make it difficult to concentrate on sexual activity.
- Lyme disease can result in persistent inflammation that affect the blood circulation to the genital organs.
- Lyme disease can result in musculoskeletal pain that can make sex uncomfortable.
- The infection can cause mental health problems, such as anxiety and stress. These symptoms can cause a lack of interest in sexual intercourse.
Management strategies:
- Antibiotic therapy
- Supporting the immune system with supplements (zinc, vitamins, magnesium, etc)
- Stress relaxation techniques
- Maintain an open communication with your partner
What are the gastrointestinal symptoms of Lyme disease?
The gastrointestinal symptoms of Lyme disease can include vomiting, nausea, constipation, bloody diarrhea and anorexia.
Case study:
A 39-year old male patient was experiencing pain in the abdominal region and bloody diarrhea. Stool studies did not reveal any signs of infection. While performing the CT scan, the abdomen showed clinical findings of left-sided colitis. The patient was administered steroids and intravenous antibiotics.
Biopsies of the colon exhibited symptoms of acute colitis, but were negative for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hence, steroids were stopped. Later, the patient said that he had gone for hunting, which triggered Lyme disease testing. Serological tests were positive for Lyme disease antibodies. The patient was administered antibiotics (doxycycline) for 2 weeks, which relieved the symptoms.
Lyme disease can affect bowel movements, especially in the early stages. Gastrointestinal signs, like diarrhea/constipation can occur. Antibiotic therapy can also disrupt the microbial flora and result in GI issues.
