Being a parent is on the bucket list of many. However, sometimes the process of fulfilling this dream gets hindered by obstacles, and one such obstacle is infertility. Though it is an issue prevalent in both males and females, females often show more evident manifestations of infertility and reproductive health.
That said, it is important to note signs of infertility if you want to deal with them properly and before it is too late. The question here is - what are some of the key signs of infertility in women?
In this blog, we discuss some of the key signs of being infertile in women. Along with this, we also provide you with a general overview of infertility and the key causes of infertility in women.
In simple words, infertility in women refers to the inability to get pregnant and produce viable eggs/ovum for fertilization. That said, there are specific criteria that need to be met before a female assigned at birth (FMAB) is considered as infertile. These criteria include:
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If you meet any of these two criteria, you, as a female, are deemed infertile. Now, the specific reasons can depend on your specific health condition, including but not limited to defects in eggs, damage to the uterus, or instability of hormones. Furthermore, the reason may even be an unexplained one. Regardless, the general gist is that you, as a female, are deemed as having issues regarding fertility or being infertile if you cannot get pregnant after a specific duration of continuous trying.
Although if you fail to get pregnant, you are deemed infertile, not all infertility is the same, as there are two different types of infertility. These two types of infertility in females are:
Primary infertility is a condition where you are not able to get pregnant and have never been pregnant before. If you are under 35, you can be said to have primary infertility if you cannot become pregnant even after one year of trying. On the other hand, if you are over 35, you can be said to have primary infertility if you have not been able to get pregnant after six months of constant attempts.
Unlike primary infertility, to have secondary infertility, you must have a history of successful pregnancy and conception. However, after the first successful birth, if you are unable to get pregnant after a long time of constant attempts, you are said to have a secondary pregnancy. Although there is no specific duration, the generally accepted timeline is one year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive again.
Similar to how not all infertility are the same, not all causes of infertility are the same either. Infertility can be caused by many factors or a combination of these factors. Some of the key factors and causes of infertility include:
Ovulation disorders are one of the leading causes of infertility in women. Irregular or absent ovulation, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), disrupts hormonal balance, which further leads to missed or infrequent ovulation. This can further harm your ability to time your intercourse properly, leading to missed opportunities and lower chances of successful pregnancy.
Endometriosis is another key cause of infertility in women. This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, often causing pelvic pain, inflammation, and scarring, which can obstruct the fallopian tubes and impact fertility.
Endometriosis is just one of the causes leading to damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. Along with this, fallopian tubes can also be damaged by pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgeries and ectopic pregnancies. Regardless of the reason why fallopian tubes are blocked, it by itself is one of the leading causes of infertility.
Alongside damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids or noncancerous growth in the uterus is also a leading cause of infertility in women. Uterine fibroids can damage the shape of the uterus and affect its lining. This can further interfere with the implantation of fertilized eggs, resulting in failed pregnancy and, thus, infertility.
Primary ovarian insufficiency is a condition that refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before 40 years. This can lead to decreased hormone production and a lower quantity of egg released. All of these, when combined, can lead to infertility.
As the name of this condition suggests, pelvic adhesions refer to adhesions in the pelvic region. These adhesions can be caused by events such as previous surgeries, infections, or conditions such as endometriosis. Should this condition affect you, it can obstruct your fallopian tubes or harm normal reproductive function. This, in turn, can lead to infertility since eggs cannot reach the uterus.
Besides pelvic adhesions, issues with cervical mucus are another reason for infertility in women. Although it is not as common as the ones we mentioned so far, it is still a major cause. For those unaware, the mucus in the cervix plays an important role in allowing the sperm to move through the reproductive tract. If the mucus is too thick or lacks consistency, it can hamper the ability of sperm to move effectively, resulting in infertility in women.
Unlike cervical mucus issues, which are somewhat lesser-seen issues, problems with egg quality and quantity are some of the most commonly seen issues leading to infertility in women. This is because, unlike our previous causes that need additional triggers, a decrease in the quality and quantity of eggs can simply be caused by aging. But besides age, problems with egg quality and quantity can also result from many additional factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals and damage to the uterus.
Amongst many things that can damage the eggs, cancer and its treatment is one of the causes. Cancer and its treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can harm the reproductive organs of the female. Furthermore, they can also change the hormone levels and reduce the number of viable eggs. All of these can result in infertility for women.
Various uterine conditions, such as a septate uterus, uterine polyps, or congenital abnormalities, can affect implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage. These conditions may cause the uterus to have an irregular shape or structure, making it difficult for an embryo to implant properly or grow. In some cases, surgical procedures may be required to correct these abnormalities and improve fertility outcomes.
Smoking has been linked to reduced fertility in women by impacting hormone production, egg quality, and overall reproductive health. It can also contribute to complications during pregnancy.
These are some of the key causes of infertility in women. Besides the ones we mentioned here, there can be several other reasons why you, as a woman, have become infertile. For a detailed examination, feel free to contact your reproductive expert.
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Now that you have a general idea regarding the causes of infertility let’s finally discuss some of the key symptoms of infertility in women. While these symptoms do not guarantee that you are infertile, they do act as a sign to seek a reproduction specialist. Some of these key and early signs of infertility in women include:
The average period cycle lasts between 28 to 30 days. That said, while some females have their periods extremely regularly, others may have a few days of irregularity. This minor form of irregularity is acceptable. However, if your period occurs randomly, such as under 21 days or over 35 days, then it may be a sign of infertility. Should you face periods that occur before or after the mentioned period, we recommend you consult a reproductive expert.
An abnormal menstrual cycle is a symptom that can easily be mistaken for irregular periods, as both of these affect periods. Where they differ is in the fact that you do still have periods in the previous condition. However, in this category of symptoms for infertility, you can go several months without periods before resuming a regular cycle and then skipping periods again. Should you have an abnormal menstrual cycle, then it is a sign of infertility.
Infertility symptoms are not just about missing a few period dates; they also include having regular periods but facing severe period cramps. If you face severe period cramps, it can indicate conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, both of which can affect fertility by damaging reproductive organs.
On the flip side of having severe period cramps, you may not even have any form of periods at all. This is not a good sign for your reproductive health as it often indicates a lack of ovulation. Depending on the causes, it can be a severe symptom of infertility. Therefore, if you stop having periods or do not have one at all, you should consult a reproduction specialist.
Since we have already discussed severe cramps, now let us discuss heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It is normal to bleed lightly during your periods; however, heavy or for longer periods may signal infertility.
Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding can signify causes that include fibroids, and polyps leading to infertility.
It is not only the amount and length of time of bleeding that you are to watch out for; it is also the color. If your blood isn't of normal color, it can serve as a signal of hormonal imbalance. Dark brown or extremely pale blood can hint at disorders or infections in your reproductive organs, which may eventually lead to infertility.
The other thing you will need to look out for is symptoms correlated to hormonal changes. These could be in the form of acne, weight gain or loss, or even the growth of hair in unusual places. If such changes begin to occur for no reason whatsoever, this may indicate that you have PCOS, which could interfere with ovulation.
Besides the first time, sex is not supposed to be a painful experience. If you are having painful sex, it can be a sign of diseases such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Both of these diseases can signify infertility. Even though they do not indicate infertility, you must consult a reproduction expert, because as earlier stated, sex is not supposed to hurt.
Other conditions may involve thyroid disorders, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases that can affect the balance of hormones and eventually the reproductive health in women that could prevent childbearing. Having the said condition can also signify that you have infertility and need intervention or at least a diagnosis.
Obesity is never a good condition to have, regardless of whether you are looking for infertility or not. That said, obesity typically is directly related to your health and lifestyle. However, if your health condition is fine, and you live a healthy lifestyle but still are suffering from obesity, then it can be a sign of infertility.
After knowing the symptoms of infertility in women, let's now discuss some of the factors that can increase your risk for infertility. Some of the general factors include health conditions, genetic traits, lifestyle choices and age. Along with these factors, some other key risk factors include:
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Although infertility is still a major issue for females, the good news here is that there are treatment options. Depending on the specifics of your needs, the treatment methods can vary. Some of the common infertility for females include:
One of the key treatments for female infertility is hormone therapy. Medications are used to stimulate ovulation in women who do not ovulate or have irregular ovulation. Hormone therapy can also address endocrine issues, with PCOS being a common cause of ovulation failure.
IVF is often used for severe fallopian tube damage, unexplained infertility, or male factor infertility. It involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilizing them in a lab, and transferring pre-embryos to the uterus. IVF has high success rates and is frequently a first-line treatment.
Surgery can remove adhesions or endometriosis that block the fallopian tubes. Non-invasive laparoscopic techniques or microsurgical approaches can be used for tubal or uterine repair. In severe cases, damaged fallopian tubes may be removed before IVF for better outcomes.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is another popular process that involves placing washed sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing cervical mucus and helping with sperm count or motility issues. It is often used alongside ovulation induction and is considered a "low-tech" reproductive option.
For women with premature ovarian failure, where the ovaries no longer release eggs, donor eggs may be considered. This option is available when a woman is unable to conceive using her own eggs.
Last but not least, let’s finally discuss some of the key prevention methods for infertility. The good news here is that with some preparation, you can reduce the risk of infertility. Some of these key treatment options include:
Infertility is a major problem for anyone who is dreaming of being a parent, and as one faces infertility, there are several signs that a body shows. These signs are often more obvious in females when compared to males. Therefore, it is easier to notice them. Some of these signs include irregular periods, abnormal menstrual cycles, and painful periods. The good news here is that it is relatively easy to know the causes. While there are indeed some risk factors, both infertility and its risk factors for females are relatively easy to manage. Besides, there are also remedies such as IVF against infertility.
In this blog, we discussed some of the major signs and symptoms of infertility in females. Apart from that, we also gave a glimpse into infertility and its treatments. If you want to have more clarity about the world of infertility, then read some other blogs from our site. If you are looking for the best treatment for your infertility problem in Nepal, then your destination will be Hardik IVF and Fertility Center. Thank you for reading till the end.
Some of the key signs of infertility in a woman include:
There can be several reasons why you are not getting pregnant. Some of the reasons may include:
Infertility has many signs and symptoms, some of which include:
You can use various methods to determine their ability to get pregnant. Some of the key ways include:
Yes, infertile women do often have periods. However, their periods may be irregular. Furthermore, even when an infertile woman has periods, they may have severe period cramps and heavy or prolonged bleeding.
Yes, you can overcome infertility. There are several ways to overcome infertility, such as IVF, ICSI, and IMSI. Additionally, you can also use egg/ embryo freezing. If nothing works, you can even seek a frozen egg or embryo from a donor.
You should seek help for infertility if you have been trying to conceive for over a year without success or for six months if you are over 35 years old. Additionally, consult a healthcare provider if you experience irregular periods, severe menstrual pain, or have a history of reproductive health issues.