Some Common Symptoms of Infertility
The most common symptoms of infertility are not always obvious, though most individuals tend to suspect that something isn’t quite right when they show up to the doctor for testing. Some infertility is unavoidable. As we age, for example, our bodies become more likely to be infertile.
Some symptoms of infertility can be symptoms of other past or present conditions and, whether or not one is trying to conceive, they should have those possible symptoms of infertility investigated in the interest of maintaining good overall health. Men and women can both exhibit symptoms which may be red flags for a fertility problems.
In women, one of the most obvious symptoms of infertility is an irregular or absent menstrual cycle. There are various conditions that can cause a woman’s menstrual cycle to be upset or absent and many of them are linked to infertility. Normally, a woman bleeds for 3 to 7 days.
If bleeding is heavy or light, one should consult with their doctor. Excessive cramping and less or more days spent bleeding than normal can also be considered as reasons to visit a doctor to ensure that everything is in order. The menstrual cycle is one of the most valuable indicators of potential problems and needs to be one of the early subjects of scrutiny..
In men, sometimes symptoms of infertility aren’t readily apparent. Obviously, impotence is a symptom that should be checked out by a doctor sooner rather than later. Impotence can be a symptom of other disorders, as well, and merits a doctor’s visit. Men may have a reduced sperm count or issues with their sperm which are impossible to detect without visiting a clinic.
These problems may or may not be treatable but, if trouble conceiving persists for a long period of time, the male partner should have their sperm checked out to make sure that all is well.
Age, though it seems obvious, is a major symptom of infertility. When women are in their early 30’s, they have about a 20 percent chance of becoming pregnant during any menstrual cycle. When they reach the age of 40, that percentage drops to around 5 percent.
The body is less likely to conceive successfully as we age. Women who do become pregnant at a later age need more medical attention than do younger women and the baby must be carefully monitored for health inside the womb. The older one is, the harder it becomes to have children.
Some of the other symptoms of infertility are other disorders. If one has illnesses which are chronic such as diabetes they may have a lower chance of conceiving. The same applies for hyperthyroidism. Individuals who have had STDs may also have a lower chance of conceiving and, when they do conceive, there may be a higher risk of certain birth defects.
Smoking and drinking are also linked to lower rates of fertility. Generally, if one does not have such a condition but it seems impossible to conceive, medical intervention will be necessary to diagnose any potential problems and, hopefully, to alleviate them.
