Signs & Symptoms of Infertility in Women & Men: When to See a Doctor?

Infertility can be defined as when you’re trying to get pregnant with frequent unsafe sexual intercourse for at least a year without any success. Both men and women can be affected by infertility. Male infertility can be caused by numerous reasons, such as problems with semen and sperm, cystic fibrosis, genetic factors, etc. Whereas the causes of female infertility range from poor egg quality to chronic conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Signs and Symptoms of Female Infertility

Here are some common signs and symptoms that may signal female infertility:

Irregular menstrual cycle

An average menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days. But anything within a few days can be considered normal, as long as the cycles are consistent. For example, if a woman has a 32-day cycle in one month, a 30-day cycle the next, and a 33-day cycle after, then she is having a normal period. But if there is a great variation when she can’t estimate when her period might arrive, she is experiencing an irregular period. It can be related to hormonal issues or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and both of these issues contribute to female infertility.

No menstrual cycle

There are factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression, among others, which can cause your periods to disappear temporarily. The absence of a normal menstruation cycle can contribute to female infertility. In case you haven’t had your period for a long time, it’s time to consult your doctor.

Hormonal fluctuations

Some of the signs of hormonal troubles include the following:

• Reduced sex drive
• Growth of facial hair
• Weight Gain
• Thinning Hair

Painful periods

Cramps usually occur with periods, but painful periods can be a symptom of endometriosis, a disorder in the tissue lining where the uterus grows outside it. In case it is left untreated, it can result in problems such as pain during menstruation and female infertility.

Signs and Symptoms of Male Infertility

Here are some common signs and symptoms that may signal male infertility:

Testicular pain

Several different conditions can lead to testicle pain and swelling, contributing to male infertility.

Reduced sexual desire

Hormone health affects male fertility. Any change governed by hormonal effects can be an indicator of male infertility.

Issues with maintaining an erection

The ability to stay erect is also linked to hormone levels, and reduced hormones can result in potential fertility problems.

Seeing a doctor

Upon analyzing the symptoms you might be experiencing, your doctor will conclude a successful diagnosis of male or female infertility. Additionally, they may begin the treatment right away after ascertaining the cause of infertility. If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to book an appointment with an expert.

You can also adopt a healthier lifestyle with Mylo Preconception Care Routine which includes workout, naturopathy and mindfulness sessions along with expert consultations. This holistic approach can help you improve metabolic health, regulate periods, maintain hormonal imbalance and boost your chances of conception.

References

1. Walker MH, Tobler KJ. (2022). Female Infertility. NCBI

2. Rooney KL, Domar AD. (2018). The relationship between stress and infertility. NCBI