It is not uncommon for people to experience signs of infertility. This may be stressful, as many people show no direct symptoms of infertility until they try to conceive.
Infertility affects both men and women. According to the Office on Women’s Health, about a third of issues with infertility comes from women, and another third starts with men. The final third may be due to a combination of both, other factors, or unknown causes.
In this post we learn about signs of infertility in both men and women, as well as when to seek medical assistance.
Signs of infertility in men.
Signs of infertility in men can include the following:
Hormonal imbalances
Test can be carried out to check for the hormonal imbalances.
Various hormonal imbalances can affect a man’s fertility.
Testosterone is a key hormone for male fertility, so problems with the testes that produce this hormone may lead to infertility due to male factor.
Two hormones signal to the testes to make sperm and testosterone: luteinizing (LH)hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.(FSH)
The pituitary gland produces these hormones, so any problems with this gland may also influence infertility.
Erectile dysfunction
Hormonal changes, psychological factors, or physical issues may make it difficult to get or keep an erection.
If this becomes a regular occurrence, it may interfere with sexual intercourse or be a sign of an underlying issue.
Problems with ejaculation or ejaculate.
Having difficulty ejaculating or noticing changes in the ejaculate, such as a drop in volume, may also be a sign of an underlying issue related to a man’s fertility.This can be assessed with Semen analysis.
Changes in testicles.
Healthy testicles are an important aspect of male fertility. Small or firm testicles that feel “tight” may be another sign of hormone issues.On the other hand, swollen, painful, or tender testicles may be a sign of an underlying issue, such as an infection, that can also impact sperm quality and thereafter on male fertility.
Obesity.
Obesity can increase the risk for other conditions that may impact a man’s fertility such as sperm quality and sexual dysfunction.
Signs of infertility in women
In women, signs of infertility may include the following:
Pain during sex.
Pain during sex, or dyspareunia, can be a sign of an underlying health problem that may influence a woman’s fertility. Examples of such health issues include infections, endometriosis, and fibroids.
Heavy, long, scanty and painful periods
Heavy periods may indicate an underlying condition affecting fertility.
Some women experience a few days of light flow, while others regularly experience heavy periods and painful cramps.
Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis, a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body.Endometriosis is a risk factor for infertility.
If menstrual blood is regularly paler than usual, this may be a cause for concern. Menstrual blood is usually bright red at the beginning of a person’s period and may get darker over the following days.
Passing very dark, old blood at the beginning of a period can also be a sign of endometriosis. If a person is experiencing other symptoms, they may wish to speak to medical team.
Irregular menstrual cycle.
The length of a menstrual cycle varies between individuals and over time. However, many people have a regular cycle, meaning that the time between each period is roughly the same.
Having an irregular cycle, including missing periods, can contribute to infertility, as it means a woman may not be regularly ovulating. Ovulation is when the ovary releases ovum called an egg.
Irregular ovulation can be due to many issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)which is of different types, obesity, being underweight, and thyroid issues.
Hormone changes.
Signs of hormonal changes can be nonspecific, and a person may not notice them or know the underlying cause. A doctor can test for some hormonal issues.
Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause:
nipple discharge
unexplained weight gain
severe acne
cold feet and hands.
reduced sex drive or loss of sexual desire.
facial hair in females
thinning hair on the top of the head
Underlying medical conditions
Other contributing factors that may affect fertility in women include:
damage or blocking of the fallopian tubes.
Damage to the ovaries.
premature menopause
PCOS
endometriosis
cancer and chemotherapy.
Obesity.
Women with obesity have a lower probability of conceiving and are at a higher risk for issues during pregnancy than those without weight issues.
Other risk factors for infertility.
Other risk factors may also contribute to infertility in both men and women. These include:
age(<16years and > 35 years)
smoking tobacco or marijuana
drinking alcohol
sexually transmitted infection
stress
poor nutrition.
Prolonged Conflicts and disharmony.
Worries and anxiety.
What to do when I can not conceive or impregnate a woman.
The major sign of infertility is not getting pregnant when you are having unprotected sex for like after 12 months.
You may be diagnosed of infertility.
If the woman is over the age of 35 years old, the couple should seek for medical attention if she is not conceived after 6 months.
Sometimes there may be simple ways to make lifestyle adjustments to improve fertility, while other underlying causes may require treatment.some may be helped to calculate their fertile days or have planned sex with their partners.
Even if infertility is diagnosed , the good news is that there are different Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART) that are available to assist the infertile couple to conceive.The major challenge is that people delay to undertake this treatment approach till when it may be too late.
