Early Signs of Infertility in Men and Women

Irregular periods: Menstrual cycles differ in duration from person to person and throughout time. However, many people have regular cycles, which implies that the time between their periods is rather stable. Infertility may result from an irregular cycle, which includes missing periods, which may suggest that a woman is not ovulating regularly.

Painful or heavy periods: While some women have mild periods every few days, others frequently get unpleasant cramps and heavy periods. Periods that are extremely heavy and painful might be a sign of endometriosis, a condition where tissues normally located in the womb are found in other places of the body. Endometriosis is one risk factor for infertility.

Pain during sex: Dyspareunia, or pain during sexual activity, might be a sign of an underlying medical problem that could interfere with a woman's ability to become pregnant. These health problems include fibroids, endometriosis, and infections.

Hormone changes: Hormonal changes might induce nonspecific symptoms that a person may not recognize or understand the underlying cause of. A physician can do some hormone tests. Hormone fluctuations can result in: unexplained weight gain, severe acne, cold hands and feet, decreased desire for sexual activity, female facial hair, nipple discharge, and thinning hair on top of the head.

No periods: It is typical for women to experience periodic periods of inactivity. Your menstruation may sometimes stop occurring due to factors like stress or intense exercise. But it's time to have your fertility examined if you haven't had a period for several months.

Obesity: Obese women are less likely to become pregnant and are more likely to experience problems during pregnancy than non-obese women.

Not getting pregnant: Not becoming pregnant after trying for a while is the main indicator of infertility. If a woman tries for a year and is still unable to conceive, a doctor may diagnose her with infertility.

Changes in sexual desire: Hormone health and fertility are related in men. Hormone-driven changes in virility may be a sign of infertility problems.

Testicle pain or swelling: Pain or swelling in the testicles can be caused by a number of conditions many of which might worsen infertility.

Erectile dysfunction: Having or maintaining an erection might be challenging due to hormonal fluctuations, psychological conditions, or medical problems. If this starts to happen frequently, it can impede with having sex or indicate a more serious problem.

Obesity: In addition to sexual dysfunction and sperm quality, obesity might raise a man's risk for additional illnesses that can affect his fertility.

For a comprehensive diagnosis, anybody experiencing signs of infertility and who has been trying to conceive for longer than a year (or six months if older than 35) may choose to consult a physician. While treating other underlying problems may be necessary, sometimes improving fertility can be achieved with simple lifestyle changes. There could still be methods of conception that people can talk about with their doctor even after receiving an infertility diagnosis.

You are not alone if you have received an infertility diagnosis or worry that you might not be able to conceive in the future. Advances in the field are continuously made by the medical industry. Schedule a visit with your physician to discuss your worries.