9 Signs You Must Not Neglect When Infertility Is a Problem
People often don’t consider fertility until they are trying to have a family or after they start having difficulty conceiving. Couples between the ages of 29 and 33 with normal functioning reproductive systems have only a 20-25% chance of developing in any given month. Adding in fertility factors of either gender can make these chances even lower.
The length of time you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to conceive is what defines infertility. Some signs and symptoms can indicate infertility, such as early warning signs and risk factors. However, some couples do not have these signs. Talk to your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of infertility.
Couples often use this rule of thumb to ask if they need to try to conceive for at least one year to be able to tell if there are problems. If you suspect you may be experiencing infertility, here are some questions that you and your partner might consider. Talk to your doctor if you answered yes to any of these questions.
Here are 9 signs that infertility can be a problem if you believe you might want children shortly.
Infertility is a problem: For women
- Infertility may also be a sign of irregular menstrual cycles or an absence of periods. To identify changes or patterns early, track your menstrual cycles. You can also use this information to help you seek advice from your doctor, who will ask about your medical history.
- Sudden, severe acne: If you have experienced severe skin problems as an adult, it could be a sign that your hormones are not working correctly. This is also a sign that you may have polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which can cause difficulty in getting pregnant.
- Painful periods: This is not normal cramping. However, severe pain can cause nausea and vomiting. This may not necessarily indicate infertility. However, if combined with other symptoms such as pain during intercourse or blood in the bowel, irregular periods, or pain during bowel movements, it could indicate endometriosis, which accounts for between 20-40% of female cases of infertility.
- Significant hair growth (or hair loss): Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome causes small cysts on the outside of your ovaries and causes excess male hormones. This could indicate a problem. Hair loss or thinning can also signify that you have other infertility-related conditions, such as anemia, thyroid problems, or anemia.
- Sudden unexplained Weight Gain is another sign of PCOS. This happens when your activity level or diet has not changed. Even if you don’t have PCOS, fertility plays an important role. Both being overweight and obese can make it difficult to conceive.
Men
- Pain in the Testicles or swelling: The most common causes of testicular inflammation are a hernia, infection, or testicular torsion. Although it does not necessarily indicate infertility or pain in the testicles, it is a sign that you should seek medical attention.
- Changes in Sex Drive are an indicator of hormonal problems. Male factor infertility is often caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Anabolic steroids and other supplements can also disrupt hormones, alter sex drives and cause fertility problems.
- Erectile Dysfunction is also linked to hormonal imbalances. Nearly 25% of couples are experiencing infertility. It could be due to an injury, a medical condition or the use of recreational drugs or prescription medication. Or it may also be psychological factors like depression, anxiety, stress, and other psychological factors.
Both
Other warning signs that could affect both genders are past cancers, chronic illnesses, history of a sexually transmitted disease, poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to toxic chemicals at work.
Around 80% of couples will have a child within six months after they start trying to get pregnant. If they have regular sexual intercourse, 90% of couples will become pregnant within a year. Talk to your doctor if you cannot get pregnant after one year of trying. For those over 35, it is recommended that you see your doctor within six months of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant.
Your doctor may run basic fertility tests if you suspect that you are experiencing infertility. You can keep trying if everything is normal. You will notice a problem sooner and have a better chance of obtaining fertility treatment.
