Have you ever wondered why conceiving can be a struggle for some women, even when everything seems normal? Sometimes, you may fail to listen, what your body says, which could be the main reason for infertility.
Yes. At times, common things happening daily or monthly can indicate infertility in women. For example, missing periods often, sudden weight gain, continuous hair loss, acne, and severe changes in bleeding are common signs of infertility that women could easily ignore.
It’s shocking, right? Yeah. Now, let’s see what are some important signs and symptoms of infertility in females.
How can one tell if a woman is infertile?
The very first thought that strikes everyone’s mind is how a woman identifies that she is infertile. Consider this scenario; a couple trying to conceive naturally, but even after trying for months they can’t get any results, then they can suspect any one of them is infertile.
Consulting an experienced fertility expert or gynaecologist effectively helps and their guidance will help the couple conceive naturally or through ARTs.
Except for trying to conceive, women experiencing these conditions may consider they are infertile. However, cross-checking and confirming with your fertility specialist is mandatory, so never assume that you’re infertile just after seeing these symptoms.
Symptoms of Infertility in Females
Sex and Infertility
Struggling a lot to conceive? Know about the connection between infertility and sexual activity.
Pain during Intercourse: Experiencing severe pain and discomfort during sexual activity is considered a sign of infertility. Data suggest that painful intercourse can be an indicator of underlying medical conditions like uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Vaginal dryness and genital infection can also be a reason for painful sex.
Periods and infertility
Your monthly cycle fluctuations indeed reflect your reproductive health, that’s why regular periods are considered the most important thing for a healthy pregnancy.
Unbearably painful periods: Usually, period cramps are worse, but they will be bearable and don’t interrupt your regular activities. However, some women experience periods with severe pain and for longer duration.
If this is your case, then immediate attention and care are mandatory as it can be an alarming sign of endometriosis, the uterus lining starts growing outside the uterus.
Changes in the period flow and colour of the blood discharge during periods should be taken into account. Because a very dark colour represents old blood, which is a sign of endometriosis.
Irregular or absent menstrual cycle: Missing the biological clock one or two times is okay, but what if it continues? This is a reason for 30 to 40% of infertility cases. So many reasons are associated with irregular or absence of a menstrual cycle.
It includes hormonal imbalances, thyroid conditions, severe stress, tumors, and underlying medical issues. Women usually get periods in intervals from 28 to 30 days every month.
Inconsistency in the due dates and period cycle that occurs less than 21 days or more than 35 days can refer to polycystic ovarian syndrome. So, monitor your menstrual cycle to avoid any extreme conditions of infertility.
Hormonal Fluctuations and Infertility
Fluctuating hormone levels can be a hidden barrier to conception, let’s see what hormonal changes look like.
Signs of hormonal changes
Hormonal changes are the most important reason for polycystic ovarian syndrome. If you experience PCOS, then you can expect,
- Excessive growth of facial and unwanted body hairs.
- Weight gain.
- Hair loss.
- Acne.
- Severe mood swings.
What conditions and factors increase the risk of infertility?
Certain factors put women at risk of increased infertility, including health disorders, as well as physiological or biological factors.
Age, women crossed their mid-30s have lesser chances of conception.
Smoking and following poor lifestyle habits.
Being overweight or underweight, maintaining poor Body Mass Index (BMI).
Medical conditions such as Ovulation disorders, Damage to the fallopian tubes, Uterine or cervical issues, and Endometriosis.
Sexually Transmitted Infections STIs and cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Chronic diseases include diabetes, hypertension, asthma, lupus, and arthritis.
Women with PCOD and PCOS can experience severe struggles and a huge delay if they are trying to conceive.
History of ectopic pregnancy also contributes to infertility issues.
When should one consult a fertility expert?
Even though women can identify that she is infertile through these symptoms and signs, this becomes a huge concern only when they can’t get pregnant. Because sometimes women ignore the signs and stay worry-free like they don’t have any problems before trying for a baby.
Meanwhile, some ladies get optimal pregnancy results even with these critical conditions. So, things come into concern once a woman starts trying for conception.
When a woman under 35 years old tries to conceive for more than a year, and still doesn’t receive any positive results, a couple can approach a fertility clinic.
If a woman is 35 to 40 years old and she is trying for around 6 months, she can consult with her fertility doctor.
And, women over 40 should visit the fertility hospital after three months of trying for a baby.
Therefore, consult your doctor and discuss how infertility in females can be prevented and other doubts to get good news soon.
Last few words
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider. Staying informed and taking proactive measures as per fertility experts’ advice can help you overcome the challenges.
Understand that every individual’s body reacts differently, and personalized care is essential for effective outcomes. Observe the signals your body gives and take timely action, make sure to avail the assistance of doctors to say hi to the parenthood phase.
People also ask
The latest technological advancements such as ARTs increase the chances of getting pregnant even with fertility problems.
So, consulting the best and most experienced fertility expert can give you the exact solution, whether women must undergo surgery, medications are enough, lifestyle adjustments, or choosing ARTs like IUI, IVF, or ICSI can help.
In general, factors like age and a healthy lifestyle play a crucial role in fertility. Regular physical activity can positively impact female fertility.
For successful conception, whether naturally or through treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI), timing intercourse or procedures around ovulation is mandatory for achieving optimal pregnancy outcomes.
Healthcare providers generally suggest a physical examination, pelvic examination, and pelvic ultrasound scan to identify female fertility issues.
