An extremely high number of women will deal with some sort of infertility in their life. Many of these women may show some symptoms of infertility while other aren’t aware there’s any problem until they actually start trying to get pregnant. Given that the causes of infertility are broad and varied, the signs and symptoms will obviously range from woman to woman (not forgetting male factors also!).
A couple should see their doctor if they still haven’t become pregnant following a year of ‘trying’ – where trying means unprotected intercourse at least three times a week. It’s a good idea to initially see your primary care physician or general practitioner who can initiate the ‘workup’ and offer some early advice. If needed, you may then be referring on to a dedicated fertility specialist.
Signs Of Infertility
Among the many potential signs of infertility, the most common for women is to have an irregular menstrual cycle. Although an irregular menstrual cycle may be one of the signs of infertility, it is also quite common and could also point to a number of other things, so in itself it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re infertile.
Another common symptom of fertility issues isa weight problem, specifically being overly thin or obese. For women who are excessively thin (bordering on emaciation), they can have problems conceiving because they lack the necessary nutrients. Alternatively, women who are heavily overweight or obese may suffer hormonal issues, which in turn can affect their reproductive health.
Also worthy of consideration is that substance and alcohol abuse may lead to infertility. Although these are really causes of infertility rather than true signs of infertility, I mention them because they are clear things that anyone can ‘notice’ but may not be aware is adversely affecting their fertility.
Male Factor Infertility
Symptoms of infertility can also be seen in the male in the relationship. Anatomical or physical problems may be obvious signs of infertility in men. One consideration is undescended testis, which can be a factor in infertility, or a varicocele, which is often felt as a swelling in the scrotum.
Overall, if a couple is having persistent difficulty getting pregnant, don’t jump to the conclusion that you’ll never have children! There are so many measures that can be taken to improve your chances of getting pregnant, and avoid common mistakes.
Take our free course for more information.
{ 5 trackbacks }