The 5 Signs of Infertility You Need to Know

Do you know the signs of infertility? Aside from not being able to conceive, your body may be telling you right now that there’s a glitch in your reproductive system. By recognizing and understanding some of the more common symptoms of fertility problems, you may be able to find a treatment that helps you conceive the child you want. Here are 5 infertility signs you need to know about:

1. Irregular menstrual cycle. Those irregular periods aren’t just inconvenient—they could be one of the signs of infertility. Your body could be signaling conception problems if your cycles are unpredictable, too long (over 35 days), or too short (less than 24 days).

2. Periods heavier or lighter than normal. It’s true that every woman has a unique cycle, but regular periods that are excessively heavy or very light can indicate an infertility issue.

3. Weight issues. Even women who are slightly heavy can have problems getting pregnant. In fact, one study found that for every Body Mass Index (BMI) unit over 29, the chance of conception dropped by 4%. Very obese women, with a BMI over 35, had a significantly lower chance of becoming pregnant compared to women with a BMI under 29. It’s not all about being overweight, either. Women who aren’t heavy enough can also experience infertility.

If you’re too thin, you might not have enough nutrients to conceive or you may not ovulate regularly. Women who engage in extreme fitness activities, such as frequent marathon running, may also run into fertility problems.

4. Pain in the pelvis. When it comes to signs of infertility, this is one symptom that you should contact your physician about for further evaluation. Pain in the pelvic region can indicate PCOS, also called polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition, which occurs in up to 10% of women, causes elevated levels of male hormones that play havoc on the female reproductive tract. Other symptoms of PCOS include excess hair growth, acne, obesity and weight gain, elevated blood pressure and insulin levels.

Another infertility sign that causes pain is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It can be triggered by a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and it causes scarring that prevents conception. Doctors treat PID symptoms with antibiotics, although women may still need to undergo surgery or in-vitro fertilization to become pregnant after the infection clears.

5. Age. For one of the most obvious signs of infertility, check out your calendar. If you’re over 35 years old, the chance of conceiving and delivering a baby starts to drop significantly. And, if you’re over 40, those stats, unfortunately, drop like a rock. If you’re over 35 and have tried to get pregnant for six months without success, see a doctor for treatment options.

Is the man in your life infertile?

Infertility is not just a woman’s issue. In fact, experts estimate that up to 30% of all fertility problems originate in the male partner. In many cases, there are no obvious signs of infertility in men. However, a lab analysis might reveal unseen factors, such as abnormal semen, low sperm count, or, sometimes, the complete lack of sperm.

A reproductive specialist will help you pinpoint a cause and find a treatment.

The only way to know for sure what is causing your fertility challenges is to see a doctor or reproductive specialist. Share all the symptoms you’ve experienced as well as your full medical history. The good news is that if you pinpoint the problem there may be an effective treatment strategy to help you conceive. Start finding solutions for your signs of infertility today.

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